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Bangkok Post
Bangkok Post
World

Coca chewing gets a chic makeover

TikTok Bolivia
A coca grower shows leaves to customers at a market in La Paz, Bolivia, on Oct 10. (Reuters Photo)

SANTIAGO: With flavours ranging from bubble gum to passion fruit and TikTok stars promoting it, chewing coca has become the latest chic trend in Bolivia.

Andean villagers have chewed coca leaves — the base ingredient of cocaine — for centuries to help ward off the effects of high altitude and hunger. Consumption of the leaves is legal in Bolivia and coca is considered by many in the region as a sacred plant.

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