Tamil Nadu’s Authoor Betel Leaves Received GI Tag

Current Context: The Authoor betel leaf from Tamil Nadu has recently received the Geographical Indication tag, which means that it is recognized as a product of a specific region with a unique quality, reputation, or characteristic.

The Authoor betel leaf is a spicy and pungent leaf that is unique to the village of Authoor in Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi district.
It has been used by people for centuries for various purposes, such as chewing, offering to gods, and medicinal use. The leaf is available in three different varieties: nattukodi, karpoori, and pachaikodi.
The Authoor betel leaf has a long history and cultural significance. It is mentioned in the 13th-century book ‘The Travels of Marco Polo (The Venetian)’, where he described the use of betel leaves by people in the city of Kael, which is near Authoor.
There are also ancient stone inscriptions that reveal the importance of the Authoor betel leaf in Tamil culture. The GI tag will help protect the identity and authenticity of the Authoor betel leaf and promote its market potential across the country and abroad.