David on Formosa

If an anthropologist were to study Taiwan they might well find betel nut to be one of the unique and defining characteristics of Taiwanese culture. For many Taiwanese men chewing betel nut is not just a habit, but something that defines their identity. Taiwanese women’s bodies are used as a powerful marketing tool for the nut. The phenomena of the betel nut beauty is unique to Taiwan.

I remember seeing scantily clad women sitting in neon-lit glass booths along the side of the road when I first arrived in Taiwan. I initially presumed they were soliciting for sex. It wasn’t until several months later that I learned they were just selling betel nut.

I recently updated the page on my Taiwan website about betel nut. This page gets more hits than any other page on the website. Obviously there is intense interest in betel nut and betel nut beauties in Taiwan.