betel leaves recipes | 16 recipes using betel leaves |

betel leaves recipes. Betel leaves are leaves of the betel plant that are bright green in color. They are mostly cultivated in south-east Asia and India. They vary in types – Calcutta, Banarasi etc and in shades of green. The leaves are edible and mostly used to make after meal snacks called paans. Also, betel leaves hold a religious significance in the Indian culture.

Recipes with Betel Leaves

These leaves are used for the peppery taste. The most common dish made with betel leaves is Paan. Contrary to popular belief, paan is not only had in India, but consumed in other countries as well like Indonesia, Myanmar and Malaysia. Paan is basically a betel leaf stuffed with a betel nut, chunna and other ingredients. It is mostly consumed for its psychoactive effects, the most common variant being Meetha Paan.

Meetha Paan

The unique flavor of paan can be brought out in many innovative ways. It can be turned into a delicious Paan ice-cream, which is simple and all ingredients are also easily available at the nearest Paan shop!

Paan Ice-Cream

An excellent way to impress your guests is making Paan shots. These tiny shots made are made with ice cream, betel leaves and gulkand, have the taste of paan but just with a twist on how to eat them.

Paan Shot

Betel leaves used in chaat 

Betel leaves, used mostly as a mouth-freshener, also lends itself to make Paan ki Chaat, a traditional North Indian favourite that many people recall fondly as one of the most unforgettable experiences of trips to regions like Benaras. 

Paan ki Chaat

The betel leaves are batter-coated and deep-fried till absolutely crisp. They are then broken into pieces and topped with spice powders, chutneys and curds to make a mind-blowing chaat. 

Enjoy our betel leaves recipes given below.