It’s known as “Taiwan's chewing gum”. Betel, a nut as hated as it is loved, occupies a special place in the island's culture. This stimulant is consumed by hundreds of thousands of people, mainly from working-class backgrounds, and supports just as many others. But few people know that this nut is carcinogenic and kills thousands of people every year. FRANCE 24’s Lucie Barbazanges reports.
Deeply rooted in the traditions and rituals of Taiwan's indigenous peoples, betel – or areca nut – is also consumed by blue-collar workers, such as labourers and drivers, who chew it to keep alert during their long working hours. In the poorest regions, up to 17 percent of the population consume it.
