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The Betel has a history of its own. The custom of the betel quid runs from India to Zanzibar, going through Thaïland, Indonesia, Cambodia, China, Vietnam, Malaya. Special utensils are necessary to prepare a quid :

- The areca nut cutter or betel knife, - the areca nut grows on the areca palm -
which can be made out of brass, iron, silver, sometimes of ivory, with iron handles, sometimes covered with silver or gold. The upper part of these nut cutters supports the blade. This part of the betel cutter represents either a bird, for example a parrot, or a horse, inlaid with gold or iron threads, mythical symbolic figures, and inset with precious stones, ivory, bone. When it represents an animal, the rivet which holds the two handles is towards the eye of the animal.

- The lime container, with its small chain which holds the spatula enabling one to get the lime, has various shapes and is also quite elaborate. It is made out of brass, copper, silver, with floral designs, flowers and leaves. Inside traces of lime maybe found, this results from slaked lime, shells ground in a mortar fitted with a hammer. The mortar may be of different sizes but it has a tube fitted with a little hammer and a spatula to remove the ground lime. The mortar is sometimes used for the ground areca nut. It is made out of copper, bronze, brass, silver.

- The large boxes, which contain all the ingredients necessary to make a quid and also to put the ready made quids in, are usually very elaborate, with flowers, floral designs, garlands and leaves. When you open the case small trays can be seen which are used for spices : saffron, ground nutmeg and areca nut, tobacco, gambir, cardamom ; This part may be removed, the betel leaves can be placed underneath,or the ready made quids.

- The bags or sacks, which are sometimes made of plaited rattan material, are also used to carry the ingredients necessary to make the quids.

- The betel set, which is for use in the house, is very elaborate, with garlands and floral designs. These sets are in a variety of styles. They still exist nowadays. On top of them placed on a tray are boxes of lime, spices and areca ground nut, or sometimes a cornet for betel leaves. When removed, in the lower part there is room for betel leaves and a spittoon, as the quid induces a red salivation. These sets are in silver, copper, or even in gold or plated gold.

- Not to be overlooked, is the betel leaf which grows on a liana and is cut with a little billhook.