Photo: Shahrear Kabir Heemel

BENGALIS and 'paan' -- betel leaf -- go back a long way. This spade-shaped leaf has been used as a way of welcoming guests and has emerged as a symbol of hospitality; it holds a distinctive position in Hindu mythology and is still an indispensible element at Bengali weddings and traditional festivals. It is the favourite mouth freshener among the elderly and has its own quality of being an excellent aid to digestion. Although 'paan' has been a silent Bengali custom that has been taken for granted over the ages, in recent times it has been held under a different spotlight with a number of stores vending premium quality paan to its lovers.
Paan Supari is perhaps the first such brand that comes to mind when you think about premium paan. Established a decade back, Paan Supari has earned much popularity among the paan enthusiasts of the city. The pleasantly decorated store has an ambience of red with paanwalas dressed in traditional attire. Paan Supari offers a wide range of different kinds of khili paan with very interesting names such as paan banarasi, paan mysorey, paan supari rupa, shona, bangla paan, bou paan and jamai paan. There is also a special type of khili paan for diabetic patients called the “paan afsana”. These paan, although costing more than the regularly sold paan in grocery stores, are priced from Tk.20 up to Tk.150 approximately. Paan Supari has four branches around Dhaka city, in Dhanmondi, Bashundhara City Shopping Complex, the Hazrat Shahjalal International  Airport and Banani. Thus Paan Supari has made it possible for the sophisticated city dwellers to savour the mouth-watering and delectable dessert that it is to its lovers.

Photo: Shahrear Kabir Heemel

If you are the inquisitive type of paan lover, you can find some of the best paan that Dhaka city can offer in Old Dhaka and Mohammadpur. Old Dhakaites have a rich heritage of creating the best khili paan with many complex, colourful, aromatic and mouth-watering ingredients. Anyone who barely knows a thing about paan is bound to fall in love with the leaf after a mouthful of these!
It is worth checking out the paan booths in the corners of restaurants buzzing around the narrow streets of Old Dhaka and around Mohammadpur Bihari camp. If you're familiar with or know how to get around in Mohammadpur, you are surely to know the Mustakim Chaap restaurant which is a landmark in itself around the area. Mustakim Chaap restaurant and most other similar eateries have paan booths adjacent to them which make for a wonderful end to a hearty meal.
Hyderabadi, Banarasi, Patuakhali, Maheshkhali are a few of the types of paan usually sold at these stalls costing Tk.20-Tk.150, which is a small price for a priceless treat. To grab a quick box of paan on the go, there are many paan stalls around the city with one in front of the Star Kabab on Shaat Masjid Road, the one in front of Rupayan Golden Age in Gulshan Avenue and on Dhanmondi road 2.
The Bengali love for paan has remained unconditional for decades. Among other elements of our culture that are getting blurrier day by day, the enthusiasm for paan has only flourished. Paan can be a good addition to your menu when you arrange a party next time. Have a beautifully decorated tray at the dessert table for parties or maybe at the tea table occasionally to indulge in a delicious treat that is not only utterly satisfying to the soul but also has a bundle of health benefits for its devourer.