A man shows off his stained teeth, dyed red from years of chewing betel quids, potent parcels of areca nuts, lime and tobacco wrapped in a betel leaf. They give users a buzz when they're chewed but are also known to cause oral cancer.
Say 'betel nut' —
A man shows off his stained teeth, dyed red from years of chewing betel quids, potent parcels of areca nuts, lime and tobacco wrapped in a betel leaf. They give users a buzz when they're chewed but are also known to cause oral cancer.
Hilary Whiteman/CNN
A woman sells betel leaves at a market in central Yangon. The climbing plant is grown throughout Asia, but predominantly in India and Bangladesh, according to Kew.org.
All wrapped in a betel leaf —
A woman sells betel leaves at a market in central Yangon. The climbing plant is grown throughout Asia, but predominantly in India and Bangladesh, according to Kew.org.
Hilary Whiteman/CNN
Areca nuts are the seeds of the areca palm. They're sprinkled onto lime-coated betel nut leaves to make betel quids. Other ingredients are added, depending on local tastes, including cardamom, saffron cloves and sweeteners.
A sprinkle of areca nuts —
Areca nuts are the seeds of the areca palm. They're sprinkled onto lime-coated betel nut leaves to make betel quids. Other ingredients are added, depending on local tastes, including cardamom, saffron cloves and sweeteners.
Hilary Whiteman/CNN
Kyaw Thet works quickly at his stall in central Yangon. He first coats the betel leaves in slaked lime before lining them up in rows on the counter to add the extra ingredients.
Step 1: A slick of lime —
Kyaw Thet works quickly at his stall in central Yangon. He first coats the betel leaves in slaked lime before lining them up in rows on the counter to add the extra ingredients.
Hilary Whiteman/CNN
He sprinkles tobacco on each leaf, adding to the addictive nature of the betel quid.
Step 2: A sprinkle of tobacco —
He sprinkles tobacco on each leaf, adding to the addictive nature of the betel quid.
Hilary Whiteman/CNN
Areca "nuts" are added to the parcel, though they're not really nuts. They're seeds that come from the areca palm, which is grown throughout Asia.
Step 3: Add the nuts —
Areca "nuts" are added to the parcel, though they're not really nuts. They're seeds that come from the areca palm, which is grown throughout Asia.
Hilary Whiteman/CNN
More lime is flicked onto the leaves before they're ready for wrapping.
Step 4: Extra lime —
More lime is flicked onto the leaves before they're ready for wrapping.
Hilary Whiteman/CNN
Kyaw Thet quickly rolls the leaves, tucking them into one hand while he works on the next. He sells them in packs of three for 100 Burmese kyat, around 10 U.S. cents.
Step 5: Wrapping it up —
Kyaw Thet quickly rolls the leaves, tucking them into one hand while he works on the next. He sells them in packs of three for 100 Burmese kyat, around 10 U.S. cents.
Hilary Whiteman/CNN
A bit more tobacco and perhaps an extra sprinkle of lime complete the process.
Step 6: More tobacco —
A bit more tobacco and perhaps an extra sprinkle of lime complete the process.
Hilary Whiteman/CNN
Taxi driver U Sein, 37, is a happy customer. He chews around 10 betel quids a day. He says he doesn't smoke and that quids are "better for me."
The buyer —
Taxi driver U Sein, 37, is a happy customer. He chews around 10 betel quids a day. He says he doesn't smoke and that quids are "better for me."
Hilary Whiteman/CNN
Betel quid stalls are a common sight in markets and on roads in central Yangon. They're chewed in many countries throughout Asia, despite the published health risks.
Roadside stalls —
Betel quid stalls are a common sight in markets and on roads in central Yangon. They're chewed in many countries throughout Asia, despite the published health risks.
Hilary Whiteman/CNN