Chewing betel nut is an important and popular cultural activity in many Asian countries. Betel nuts are also used as an offering in Hinduism. In India (the worlds largest consumer of betel nut), betel nuts are cut into small pieces with a special instrument., Its Melanesian use is similar to our use of tea and coffee in the sense that it is an integral and informal part of the daily routine, although it is not without its ritualistic uses in the region. As in India and elsewhere, betel has been the inspiration for minor art forms and in Melanesia there are many finely decorated lime spatulas, lime containers and other objects incorporated into the betel chewing kit.