For the first time in the arecanut sector, ‘Sirsi Supari’ grown in Uttara Kannada has received the Geographic Indication (GI) tag. It is cultivated in Yellapura, Siddapura and Sirsi taluks.

Totgars’ Cooperative Sale Society Ltd., Sirsi, is the registered proprietor of the GI.

The Registrar of Geographical Indications, under the Union government, Chennai issued the certificate to the society on March 4, 2019. Its GI number is 464.

According to it, the particular arecanut “is medium in size, somewhat flat and rounded in shape, somewhat ash coloured, and has a hard seed.”

The arecanut grown in these taluks have unique features like a round and flattened coin shape, particular texture, size, cross-sectional views, taste, etc. These features are not seen in arecanut grown in any other regions. Its average dry weight is 7.5 g and average thickness is 16 mm.

This particular variety has a unique taste due to differences in chemical composition. The total average flavonoids content in it is around 90 whereas in others it is around 80.

The total carbohydrates in ‘Sirsi Supari’ are 23% to 26%, total arecoline is 0.11% to 0.13%, total tannin content is 14.5% to 17.5%.

‘Sirsi Supari’ is used both as ‘chali’ (white arecanut) and red arecanut. The ‘chali’ variety is made by peeling the ripened nuts and sun drying them later. The red arecanut is produced by harvesting the tender nuts, then boiling and colouring them, then making them into different grades and finally sun drying them. 

About Areca Nut 

The areca nut is the fruit of the areca palm (Areca catechu), which grows in much of the tropical Pacific (Melanesia and Micronesia), Southeast and South Asia, and parts of east Africa.
It is commonly referred to as betel nut so it is easily confused with betel(Piper betle) leaves that are often used to wrap it (paan).

The term areca originated from the Kannada word adike and dates from the 16th century, when Dutch and Portuguese sailors took the nut from Kerala to Europe.

Consumption has many harmful effects on healthand is carcinogenic to humans.

Various compounds present in the nut, including arecoline (the primary psychoactive ingredient which is similar to nicotine), contribute to histologic changes in the oral mucosa.

It is known to be a major risk factor for cancers (squamous cell carcinoma) of the mouth and esophagus. As with chewing tobacco, its use is discouraged by preventive efforts.

Consumption by hundreds of millions of people worldwide – mainly with southern and eastern Asian origins – has been described as a neglected global public health emergency.

Consumption by hundreds of millions of people worldwide – mainly with southern and eastern Asian origins – has been described as a neglected global public health emergency.

What is Geographical Indication?

• Geographical Indication is a genre of Intellectual Property.
• GI tag is an insignia on products having a unique geographical origin and evolution over centuries with regards to its special quality or reputation attributes.
• The status to the products marks its authenticity and ensures that registered authorised users are allowed to use the popular product name.
• These could be naturally grown crops like Assam Chilies or manufactured products like Jaipur Pottery.
• GI tags are given on the basis of the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
• The registration of GI isvalid for 10 years after which it needs to be renewed.
• Violation of GI tags is punishable offence under law.