Advertisement
World & Nation

Addictive betel nut at center of controversy

Hsiao Chin flags down passing drivers in the Taiwanese city of Taoyuan, trying to sell betel nuts. Chin is one of thousands of scantily clad sellers who work along Taiwan’s highways hawking the date-like fruit of the Areca palm to truckers and other mostly working-class customers.

Hsiao Chin flags down passing drivers in the Taiwanese city of Taoyuan, trying to sell betel nuts. Chin is one of thousands of scantily clad sellers who work along Taiwan’s highways hawking the date-like fruit of the Areca palm to truckers and other mostly working-class customers.  (Tobie Openshaw / For The Times)

Betel nuts become Taiwan’s second-largest crop

Even in the chill of winter the girls selling betel nuts wear skimpy outfits. Betel nuts are now Taiwan’s second-largest crop after rice.  (Tobie Openshaw / For The Times)

Betel nuts become Taiwan’s second-largest crop

Betel nuts are also at the center of controversy in Taiwan. The government blames the nuts for a rise in oral cancer cases, and health officials campaign against their use and have insisted that there be warnings on packaging, though it’s not always enforced.  (Eddie Shih / Associated Press)

Betel nuts become Taiwan’s second-largest crop

A betel nut girl chats with a truck driver in Taoyuan. The sales technique of wearing scanty attire has been condemned by feminist groups, decried by health professionals and cheered on by male customers.  (Tobie Openshaw / For The Times)

Advertisement
Betel nuts become Taiwan’s second-largest crop

A betel nut girl on a bar stool in a neon-lighted Plexiglass box on a slow night in Taoyuan.  (Tobie Openshaw / For The Times)

World & Nation

More From the Los Angeles Times

Most Read in World & Nation

Advertisement