Indulgences

1. తమలపాకు

   tamalapāku

   Betel leaf

   Usage

   The leaf that betel nut and lime are wrapped in for chewing; also called నాగవల్లి in Telugu. Sold in markets and just outside eateries

2. వక్క

   vakka

   Areca nut

   Usage

   The nut chewed wrapped in a betel leaf. Note that areca nut is a known carcinogen — there is no reason for a visitor to try it

3. కిళ్ళీ

   kiḷḷī

   Killi (paan, betel quid)

   Usage

   Betel leaf folded around lime, areca and spices, called కిళ్ళీ in Telugu (also పాన్). Bought at a stall after a meal. Note the areca is carcinogenic, and some versions contain tobacco — say clearly if you do not want it

4. పొగాకు

   pogāku

   Tobacco

   Usage

   Tobacco as the plant or the raw leaf. Andhra Pradesh is a major growing region with the leaf auctions at Guntur. For "a cigarette" use సిగరెట్ instead

5. సిగరెట్

   sigareṭ

   Cigarette

   Usage

   A cigarette; corner stalls will sell them singly. Smoking in public places is restricted by law in India, so check where it is allowed before lighting up indoors

6. బీడీ

   bīḍī

   Beedi (leaf-rolled cigarette)

   Usage

   Tobacco rolled in a tendu leaf and tied with thread at one end; cheaper than a cigarette. It delivers more nicotine, carbon monoxide and tar than a cigarette does

7. చుట్ట

   cuṭṭa

   Chutta (cigar, cheroot)

   Usage

   Dried tobacco leaf rolled tight. It is also called పొగ చుట్ట; plain చుట్ట is equally used. English "cigar" reaches it through Spanish cigarro

8. కల్లు

   kallu

   Kallu (palm toddy)

   Usage

   Cloudy palm sap that has fermented on its own. A daily drink in rural Andhra and Telangana: తాటికల్లు from palmyra is strong, ఈతకల్లు from silver date palm sweet and mild. It is drunk at the tapping site or a dedicated shop, never off a restaurant menu. The same sap before it ferments is నీరా, which is not alcoholic

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