RSS
Today's Paper
Subscribe
Tuesday, 21 May 2013
beta 2.1

Alerts

Tea, Paan and Pakistan: What keeps people going

A view of a Dhaba (tea shop) in Karachi. PHOTO: JALAL QURESHI/ EXPRESS

A view of a Dhaba (tea shop) in Karachi. PHOTO: JALAL QURESHI/ EXPRESS

A view of a Dhaba (tea shop) in Karachi. PHOTO: JALAL QURESHI/ EXPRESS

Tea is considered rejuvenating among most Pakistanis. PHOTO: ZAFAR ASLAM/ EXPRESS

Tea is one of the most consumed beverages in Pakistani cuisine. PHOTO: ZAFAR ASLAM/ EXPRESS

Pakistan is ranked as the third largest importer of tea in the world. PHOTO: ZAFAR ASLAM/ EXPRESS

A view of a paan shop. PHOTO: QAZI USMAN/ EXPRESS

Paan is an occasional delicacy thoroughly enjoyed by many in Pakistan. PHOTO: QAZI USMAN/ EXPRESS

Paan is made up of betel leaf combined with areca nut and/or cured tobacco. PHOTO: QAZI USMAN/ EXPRESS

Pakistan grows a large variety of betel leaf. PHOTO: QAZI USMAN/ EXPRESS

Pakistan grows a large variety of betel leaf. PHOTO: QAZI USMAN/ EXPRESS

Tea is usually consumed at breakfast, during lunch breaks at the workplace, and in the evening at home. PHOTO: JALAL QURESHI/ EXPRESS

Pakistan grows a large variety of betel leaf. PHOTO: QAZI USMAN/ EXPRESS

Tea served at dhabas (tea shops) is cherished the most among locals. PHOTO: JALAL QURESHI/ EXPRESS

Tea and paan are widely consumed and enjoyed in Pakistan, even to the extent of addiction.

Reader Comments (11)

All Comments
Reader's Recommendations

Ali Tanoli

Apr 23, 2012 - 10:22PM

Reply

This is called real pakistan i love it.

Recommend
Khan

Apr 24, 2012 - 10:17AM

Reply

i love tea, even like to have pan once in a while but aftermaths of consuming pan are very bad, red spits every where, hate to see them.

Recommend
alicia

Apr 24, 2012 - 11:31AM

Reply

Meetha pan is the best

Recommend
Vigilant

Apr 24, 2012 - 1:10PM

Reply

Pics are good but i hate both Tea and Paan

Recommend
Dr Assad

Apr 24, 2012 - 2:50PM

Reply

Love my Tea
Love my Pakistan,
lets all start caring about it now.

Recommend
ALi

Apr 24, 2012 - 6:22PM

Reply

Finally some Pakistani culture. Good going ET!

One can easily make a half an hour documentary on our Dhaba Culture!

Recommend
Afghan Karachiite

Apr 24, 2012 - 6:51PM

Reply

I love Doodh Pati with Anda Paratha. Miss them when I am in Afghanistan :(

Recommend
Tabish Bilgrami

Apr 24, 2012 - 7:53PM

Reply

Finally ET got some time off from Fashion shows :D :DRecommend
mahvush aslam

Apr 25, 2012 - 9:54AM

Reply

finally someone has sheds light on the 80 percent of population of pakistan and not simply upper middle classes which dines and shines at parties

Recommend
JK

Apr 26, 2012 - 6:48PM

Reply

@mahvush aslam:
not 80 but 98% of Pakistan!

Recommend
Ali Siddiqui

May 16, 2012 - 12:18PM

Reply

There was a time in Karachi when we play cricket whole night, and ends up at Cafe pyala 24hrs open. Now guard yourself.

Recommend