Betel is a subtropical plant growing in Asia, Madagascar, East Arfica, and West Hindia. There are four types of the betel leaves found in Malay Peninsula: Malay betel, Chinese betel, Keling betel, and Udang betel. In Indonesian language, several species of betel are known such as Carang, Be, Bed, Siyeh, Sih, Camai, Kerekap, Serasa, Cabe, Jambi, Kengyek, and Kerak.
The botanical name for the betel leaves is Piper Betel Linn which is part of Piperaceae?s family. The plant is known by a series of different names in the regions in which it is consumed. In Portuguese, it is called betle, while Malabar society who uses Malayam language calls it as vettilla.
In Hindian and Sri Lanka language, the plant is widely known as pan, paan and bulat respectively. Tambula, in Sunskit language, is the name for this plant while Thai language calls it as plu.
Sirih or The betel leaves are a subtropical vine with heart-shaped leaves that have a smooth glossy surface and visible veins running through it. The fertile betel leaves have 8 cm ? 10 cm in width, and 10 cm- 15 cm in length. The betel leaves usually grow in subtropical area, in loose soil with medium level of humidity. To have fresh leaves, the plant needs much water.
The betel leaves have different species: Sirih Udang, which has red veins and red stalk, Sirih Keling which is familiar with its small size, spicy taste, green dark color, and stiff leave. Sirih Cina has soft taste than other species, especially than Sirih Melayu. The most favorable betel leaves used in any ceremonial congregations, and used by those who do the berkapur sirih, are the Sirih Melayu.
The active ingredients of betel leaves are kind of oil, which is obtained from the leaves, than contains phenol, and terpenes compounds. These ingredients create spicy taste of the betel leaves. Nitrat calcium and tanin are other compounds that present in the betel leaves. The taste of the betel leaves is dependant on its leaves, age, sun light, and its position in the stalk. The most delicious betel leaves are those that attach to upper branch and have big size. Sirih Hutan, usually grows in tropical rain forest, has solid taste and hard leaves. Accordingly, this type of betel leaves is not used to combine the concoction of the berkapur sirih.
There are various medicinal uses for the betel leaves, especially those that grow above stalk and have small size. Those leaves are preferred by most traditional Malay medics to cure some diseases. The most popular betel leaves in this usage is sirih bertemu urat (leaves with its veins attach each other). Though the betel leaves are rarely used, they still play an important role in Malay?s life.
Betel Nut
pinangBetel nut is fruit of a plant growing mostly in tropical areas. The plant whose tip has pointed shape is a medium-sized tree growing to 10 m tall, with a trunk 15-20 cm in diameter. Besides for its attractive appearance, the plant is grown for its economically important seed, the betel nut. Row betel nut has green color while the ripe one is yellow and sometimes red.
Areca catechu is the scientific name for the betel nut. In Hindian language, the betel nut is called supari while the activity of sirih-pinang is called pan-supari. Malayalam language names it as adakka or adekka while Srilanka language as puvak. It is popularly known as mak and pin-lang amongst Thai and Chinese society respectively.
The betel nut tree is planted by planting its seeds. Usually, before planting in a pot, the seeds will pass the seedling process. When the size of the tree is small, a pot is the suitable container for it. However, the big areca tree is usually grown in large indoor areas, house yard for example.
pinangThe tip of the betel nut, together with tips of Areca borneensis and Areca trianda, is edible. In addition, it has medicinal uses. The remains of the betel nut which are poached can cure wound. The tip of Areca hutchinsoniana serves as medicine to eradicate fungus. The active ingredients of the betel nut are alkaloids such as arecoline, arecaidine, arecain, guvacin, arecolidine, guvakolin, isoguvacoline, and coline. The arecoline is intoxicating for neurotic system. The substance can cause epilepsy which is ended with paralysis. If the respiration system suddenly discontinues, one can die for it.
The arecoline, acts like acetil coline, functions to deworm, and to terminate parasites. The areca nut contains about 15% of red tanin, and 14% of fat. The young areca nut is chewed and its liquid is swallowed for curing blood. Betel nut juice is used to treat near-sighted people.
Gambier leaves
Gambier is a genus of flowering plants in the family of Rubiaceae, native to East Asia. The gambier leaves has egg-shaped leaves, smooth glossy surface and gray flower. To do the berkapur-sirih, the betel leaves are accompanied with the gambier leaves. In terms of its uses, the gambier leaves have various medicinal properties. Not only have the gambier leaves been used for washing burn and scabies, for preventing diarrhea and dysentery, but also for moisturizing wounds in throat.
Tobacco
Tobacco is an agricultural product planted for its fresh leaves, usually used for main ingredients of cigar/cigarette (called tobacco smoking) and stem pipe. The tobacco is in the genus of solancae family. One of advantages of tobacco is that it can be cultivated in any different seasons. In the early growth period, the tobacco requires medium heat, humidity and lot of water (usually supplied by the rain water). For getting good quality of tobacco leaves, it is suggested to pick them in dry season. However, the area where the tobacco is planted play significant role in controlling the quality of tobacco. The tobacco, with high quality, can be produced in some specific areas, while in other areas, with similar seed and method, the tobacco being produced has low quality. Fertile cay/loam can produce high size of tobacco leaves, which are usually utilized for making cigar or pipe stem. While in acidic soil, the leaves with small size, which are usually used for smoking, will grow. The fertile tobacco plant can reach 2 meter in height, produces 30 cm ? 40 cm of leaves in width and 40 ? 50 cm of leaves in length.
The best tobacco for cigarette is those with light yellow leaves, having aromatic scent, fresh taste, producing acidic smoke. Leaves with these features usually contain carbohydrate, amide, nitrogen, foists and calcium. For cigar or pipe stem, the right tobacco are those with dark yellow leaves, produce alcalic smoke, and having subtle veins running through the leaves.
Cloves
Cloves are the aromatic dried flower buds of tree. It is native to Malacca, Indonesia. Cloves are primarily harvested in Zanzibar, and Madagascar. The clove tree is an evergreen which grows to a height ranging from 8 m to 12 m, having large oval leaves. The flowers of cloves grow in every tips of branch. The buds of cloves are harvested and collected before developing into flowers. The scientific name for the flowers of clove is Eugenia aromatika. The clove tree requires heat and moist climate with rainfall about 150 ? 250
mm each year and 15o - 38oC. The loose soil containing acid and laterit is a suitable soil for planting cloves.
Clove seeds are scattered onto the surface of the soil, as their germination is activated by sun light. The seeds are planted for about 1,5 ? 2 years with distance for each seed 5 m. After seven or eight years, the cloves will be harvested for the first time. The clove tree still grows and produces flowers and petals until reaching 60 years, and even 130 years.
Clove flowers, which produce unique fragrant smell, are used for cuisine either whole or in a ground form, and also are chewed with the betel leaves to add flavor. The oil of the cloves makes up a key ingredient for medicinal uses and perfume. In some countries, the cloves are mixed together with tobacco to make cigarette.
Lime
Lime, white and tough like a cream, is extracted from burned cockle shells until become a powder. Added with some water, the powder is lubricated on the betel leaves. Besides this type of edible lime, there is another type of lime called limestone that serves as building material. The lime also can be obtained through burning the limestone (carbonate calcium/CaCO3). With certain level of heat, the limestone will produce CO2 that changes into CaO. Together with water, this substance will develop and become lime powder called Ca (OH) 2.
Philosophical meaning of Berkapur Sirih
Betel Leaves
The betel leaves refer as the symbol of respects for others, generosity and altruisity. These values are understood from the way the betel leaves grow in which they live in and creep the woods or trees they like without creating any harm. The thick and dense leaves provide calm, quietness, and shelter for their surrounding.
Lime
The lime in its whiteness refers the purity of heart, that conveys the nobility and pure but which disturbed or interfered can turn bitter like the tang of the lime itself. The lime is the result of burning process of cockle shells or lime stone. The lime is white and clean, but, its chemical reactions can cause danger and harm.
Gambier
The gambier leaves is bitter in taste, symbolizes the stoutness of heart. The value can be seen in the yellowness of gambier leaves. To use them in the /berkapur-sirih/, the gambier leaves should pass a long process. Hence, before reaching and attaining some specific goals, one should be patient to get through several processes.
Betel Nut
Betel nut, which comes from the tall and slender palm tree and whose flowers blossom in bunches, represents noble descent or heritage as well as honesty and integrity. In addition, it reflects the willingness to do a specific job in proper manner and openness.
Tobacco
Tobacco, which has bitter taste, addiction substance and can be kept in long time, reflects determination and willingness to make sacrifice for others sake.