Srcsdoon at 17:22, 10 March 2025

2025-03-10T17:22:40Z

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{{Short description|Type of Betel leaf variety from Tamil Nadu, India}}
{{Infobox geographical indication
| name = Authoor Vetrilai
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| alternative names =
| description = Betel leaf variety cultivated in Tamil Nadu, India
| type = Betel leaf
| area = Authoor and nearby areas of Thoothukudi district
| country = [[India]]
| registered = 31 March 2023
| material =
| official website ={{URL|https://search.ipindia.gov.in/GirPublic/Application/Details/464|ipindia.gov.in}}}}

'''Authoor Vetrilai''' is a traditional crop variety of [[Betel leaf]] cultivated in the [[State of India|Indian state]] of [[Tamil Nadu]].<ref name=":thehindu">{{cite news |last1=Kandavel |first1=Sangeetha |title=GI tag sought for Authoor Vetrilai |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/gi-tag-sought-for-authoor-vetrilai/article33079292.ece |access-date=25 January 2025 |work=The Hindu |date=11 November 2020 |language=en-IN}}</ref> It is mainly cultivated in [[Athur, Thoothukudi|Authoor]], Rajapathi, Chokkapalakarai, [[Maranthalai]], Vellakoil, Melaattur, Sernthapoomangalam, [[Vazhavallan]], [[Korkai]] and [[Umarikadu]] block [[panchayaths]] of [[Thoothukudi]] district of Tamil Nadu.<ref name="newindiaexpress">{{cite news |last1=Dass |first1=S. Godson Wisely |date=9 April 2023 |title=Spicy Authoor vetrilai of Tamil Nadu bags GI tag |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2023/Apr/09/spicy-authoor-vetrilai-of-tamil-nadu-bags-gi-tag-2564072.html |access-date=25 January 2025 |work=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

Under its [[Geographical Indications in India|Geographical Indication]] tag, it is referred to as "Authoor Vetrilai".<ref>{{cite web |title=Authoor Vetrilai |url=https://search.ipindia.gov.in/GIRPublic/Application/Details/719 |website=Intellectual Property India |access-date=25 January 2025}}</ref>

==Name==
It is named after its place of origin, the Authoor region.<ref name="The Hindu">{{cite news |title=Geographic Index certificate handed over to ‘Authoor betel leaf’ farmers |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/geographic-index-certificate-handed-over-to-authoor-betel-leaf-farmers/article67281258.ece |access-date=25 January 2025 |work=The Hindu |date=8 September 2023 |language=en-IN}}</ref> "Vetrilai" means "betel leaf" in the local state language of [[Tamil language|Tamil]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Betel leaf — much maligned, yet valuable |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/Betel-leaf-mdash-much-maligned-yet-valuable/article15675558.ece#:~:text=The%20betel%20leaf%20%E2%80%94%20called%20Tambula,of%20South%20and%20Southeast%20Asia. |access-date=25 January 2025 |work=The Hindu |date=4 November 2010 |language=en-IN}}</ref>

==Description==
This variety of betel leaf comes in three distinct variants - Nattukodi, Pachaikodi, and Karpoori.<ref name="threeBetelLeaves"/> The book "[[The Travels of Marco Polo|The Travels of Marco Polo (The Venetian)]]" mentions the use of betel leaves in the city of Kael, which is located just 10 km from Authoor village.<ref name=":yahoo"/> Authoor and nearby areas in Thoothukudi district are famous for betel vine cultivation, covering 200 hectares.<ref name=":thehindu"/> The [[Thamirabarani River|Thamirabarani]] river is the primary source of irrigation. Betel leaves play a significant role in various aspects of life, including food, medicine, social, and religious purposes. They are an essential item in social gatherings, weddings, and festivals.<ref name=":yahoo">{{cite news |title=GI Tag For Betel Leaf? Authoor Vattara Vetrilai Viyabarigal Sangam Seeks Geographical Indication Tag for Authoor Vetrilai |url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/gi-tag-betel-leaf-authoor-094223558.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAHF0ivJwMR0qglD3NmREhV50h8xJt5agKISDYqhnk0VKtTQ980MWetSSdimvn1uEcLl_-DD_vqL73_ND4lHp1_T1kXpW6_49ipNaJeiSxnqthIlEluzt5AkLbLxMA6QtRMWVNz_s1xe6l-qxE_w2AOl_CeBF-SkSSCP9PZv34CVc |access-date=25 January 2025 |work=Yahoo News |date=12 November 2020 |language=en-SG}}</ref> The majority of people in Authoor and nearby areas depend on betel vine cultivation and allied sectors for their livelihood. The farmers of Authoor cultivate several varieties of betel leaves, including 'Chakkai', 'Maaththu', 'Raasi', and 'Sanna Ragam'. However, it's the 'Chakkai' and 'Maaththu' varieties that are in high demand and enjoy an excellent market in major cities across India, including [[Indore]], [[Jaipur]], [[Bhopal]], [[Delhi]], [[Mumbai]], [[Agra]], [[Bengaluru]], [[Nellore]], and [[Thiruvananthapuram]].<ref name="The Hindu"/>

==Geographical indication==
It was awarded the [[List of geographical indications in India|Geographical Indication]] (GI) status tag from the [[Geographical Indication Registry (India)|Geographical Indications Registry]], under the [[Government of India|Union Government of India]], on 31 March 2023 which is valid up to 10 November 2030.<ref>{{cite news |title=Manapparai murukku, Salem sago all set to get GI tag |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/trichy/manapparai-murukku-salem-sago-all-set-to-get-gi-tag/articleshow/99157867.cms |access-date=25 January 2025 |work=The Times of India |date=1 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Authoor Betel Leaf |url=https://search.ipindia.gov.in/GIRPublic/Application/Details/464 |website=Intellectual Property India |access-date=25 January 2025}}</ref>

Authoor Vattara Vetrilai Viyasayigal Sangam from Authoor, proposed the GI registration of 'Authoor Vetrilai'.<ref name="threeBetelLeaves">{{cite news |last1=Kandavel |first1=Sangeetha |title=The three betel leaf varieties of Tamil Nadu that stand out for their taste and aroma |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/the-three-betel-leaf-varieties-of-tamil-nadu-that-stand-out-for-their-taste-and-aroma/article67677540.ece |access-date=25 January 2025 |work=The Hindu |date=26 December 2023 |language=en-IN}}</ref> After filing the application in November 2020, the Betel leaf was granted the GI tag in 2023 by the Geographical Indication Registry in [[Chennai]], making the name "Authoor Vetrilai" exclusive to the Betel leaf cultivated in the region. It thus became the first Betel leaf variety from Tamil Nadu and the 53rd type of goods from Tamil Nadu to earn the GI tag.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Service |first1=Express News |title=Geographical Indication certificate issued for Authoor betel leaves |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2023/Jul/13/geographical-indication-certificate-issued-for-authoor-betel-leaves-2594155.html |access-date=25 January 2025 |work=The New Indian Express |date=13 July 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Watch {{!}} Tamil Nadu’s Authoor betel leaf gets Geographical Indication tag |url=https://www.thehindu.com/videos/watch-tamil-nadu-authoor-betel-leaf-gets-geographical-indication-tag/article66723712.ece |access-date=25 January 2025 |work=The Hindu |date=11 April 2023 |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kandavel |first1=Sangeetha |title=Manapparai murukku, Cumbum panneer thratchai, Marthandam honey among 11 products from T.N. to get GI tag |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/manapparai-murukku-cumbum-panneer-thratchai-marthandam-honey-among-11-products-from-tn-to-get-gi-tag/article66684831.ece |access-date=25 January 2025 |work=The Hindu |date=31 March 2023 |language=en-IN}}</ref>

The prestigious GI tag, awarded by the GI registry, certifies that a product possesses distinct qualities, adheres to traditional production methods, and has earned a reputation rooted in its geographical origin.

==See also==
* [[Banaras Pan]]
* [[Magahi Paan]]
* [[Tirur Betel Leaf]]
* [[Sholavandan Vetrilai]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Indian cuisine]]
[[Category:Tamil cuisine]]
[[Category:Economy of Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:GI Tagged Betel leaf varieties of India]]
[[Category:Agriculture in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Geographical indications in Tamil Nadu]]

Authoor Vetrilai - Revision history

Srcsdoon at 17:22, 10 March 2025