Question

From which part of acacia the “kattha” used with betel is obtained?
A) Pods
B) Root
C) Heartwood
D) Bark

Answer 1

Hint: Cutch, black cutch, cachou, cashoo, terra Japonica, or Japan earth are some of the other names for it. It's also known as katha in Hindi, kaath in Marathi, khoyer in Assamese and Bengali, and kachu in Malay (hence the Latinized Acacia catechu chosen as the Linnaean taxonomy name of the type-species Acacia plant which provides the extract).

Complete answer:
Heartwood is the part of acacia the “kattha” used with betel is obtained. We are a major company involved in the import and export of a diverse range of betel nuts and catechu (Kattha) products, including tobacco, flavoured chewing tobacco, and mouth freshener. Kattha is made by crystallizing water extractives from the heartwood of the Acacia Catechu, often known as the Khair tree, in the cold.

Acacia Catechu is found all over India, from the northwest plains to Assam, and especially in dry and deciduous areas. Making kattha is a time-consuming and labour-intensive procedure that can take up to 45 days. Each stage of the manufacturing process is meticulously regulated, and the right climatic conditions are maintained for the best colour and quality.

Uses
- Kattha (Catechu) is one of the main ingredients in the manufacture of PAAN from betel leaves for chewing when it is combined with lime to produce the distinctive red colouration.
- Paan is a ceremonial dish. Paan is a digestive food. Paan is consumed in both formal and informal settings. Kattha is also used as an astringent, a cooling agent, and digestive aid. Kattha is used as an astringent, cooling, and digestion aid in Ayurveda and Unani (old) medicinal systems, as well as cough and diarrhoea.
- Externally, it is used to treat ulcers, boils, and skin eruptions as an astringent and a cooling agent.

The correct option is C. Heartwood is the part of acacia the “kattha” used with betel is obtained.

Note: Paan (also written pan) is an Indian after-dinner snack made from a betel leaf (Piper betle) filled with chopped betel (areca) nut (Areca catechu) and slaked lime (chuna; calcium hydroxide), as well as other ingredients such as red katha paste (produced from the khair tree [Acacia]).