The betel nut is not a real nut, but is actually the seed of the fruit (fig.) of the areca palm (fig.), which can be chewed as a stimulant. In order to do this, the seed is sliced with a betel nut cutter, a tool in Thai known as takrai nihb mahk.

Then, it is mixed with chalk and some spices, and wrapped in a bai chaphlu betel leaf (fig.), which is sometimes mashed with a taban or betel nut grinder, to make the mixture finer and easier to chew.