THE betel nut has a terrible reputation. As a part of paan spittle it is associated with disgusting red stains in public spaces. Chewed on its own it is linked to oral cancers. But far removed from its negative image, the betel nut has another and completely wholesome identity as well. Farmers in Karnataka have traditionally extracted from it a natural red dye. And over two decades ago, scientists found that the betel nut’s red could be used to develop a range of pleasing shades, pink in particular.
But despite such potential, the betel. . .
