Home made vs commercial snus

[Grazor]

So snus and other smokeless tobacco products have recently been legalised here in New Zealand. But it is still taxed at the rate of other tobacco products. So from initial cost of $3 per can, after shipping, import duty, import transaction fee, biosecurity levy and then GST tax on top of all that, it is over $30 per can.
So obviously I want to make my own.
While waiting for it to arrive, I managed to get 2 cans of odens and 2 cans of Siberia locally. These are very strong at 22mg and 40mg respectively.
I would say an acquired taste, but even at that price it is working out cheaper than smoking.
It has the slightest smell of maybe ammonia to it, is this normal? I know it should be stored in a fridge, so I am wondering if it degrades in transit.
So many things are better when fresh, but I do realise snus needs to age somewhat. I am hoping some of the Nordic members who have tried, or still use both would be able to give a comparison. Thanks.

 

[burge]

If it has the smell of ammonia then typically the tobacco needs time to breath.

 

[Grazor]

If it has the smell of ammonia then typically the tobacco needs time to breath.

Thanks, so leave the lid off the tin for a while?

 

[burge]

Basically When I open a bag of leaf it has the ammonia smell and it takes about 3 days. I don't use snus. I tried to make it once by grounding tobacco into poder but would rather smoke it.

 

[Jitterbugdude]

Do all 4 cans have the same smell? Something seems odd.
If you grow your own, your $30.00 per tin will go down to about 5 cents per can.

 

[burge]

I was just reading between the 2 snus and snuff. Snuff is a lot healthier.

 

[Grazor]

Do all 4 cans have the same smell? Something seems odd.
If you grow your own, your $30.00 per tin will go down to about 5 cents per can.

The Siberia is a mint flavour so hard to tell. The odens are tobacco and you can definitely smell it. Not overpowering, but there. Might be normal, don't know.
Shipping is a week, getting it through customs is the slow part. Have just received a snail mail letter from them. Inefficient in this day and age.
Have 8lb now sitting in customs, will certainly be making some.

 

[Grazor]

I was just reading between the 2 snus and snuff. Snuff is a lot healthier.

Snuff is healthier? May look into that, sounds interesting.

 

[deluxestogie]

@squeezyjohn's discussion of snus vs. snuff: http://fairtradetobacco.com/threads/dry-snuff-nasal-cavity.6966/#post-127704

Bob

 

[Jitterbugdude]

I think the only thing you can say is if the snus or snuff used the Gothiatek process then it's is safe as it can be.
Gothiatek Process in a nutshell: Use low convertor seeds and immetiatly after curing, process the leaf to 80-100C for several hours. Additionaly, no fire-cured tobacco allowed.

 

[Grazor]

A Google search finds that it does sometimes have an ammonia smell to it.
My 20 cans of snus arrived from Sweden today. No hint of ammonia at all, in fact they smell delicious.
Lower nic content, so not as harsh on the mouth.
My next shipment is for 1 can of 42 grams, which I hope will come under the "can't be bothered" department at customs.

 

[jojjas]

Factorymade (Gothiatek) snus is not cheap in sweden either , about 6-7 us $ , and i consume 2 cans a day , so make my own is the only option
Read this thread to start with
https://fairtradetobacco.com/threads/how-to-make-swedish-snus.2573/
it´s simmilar to what Gothiatek use , in my own fabrication (i make about 25 kg a year) i had noticed that if the tobacco is fresh (to close after harvest ) i can notice a slight ammonia smell , when "baking" , i usually extend the time in the oven to something like 48-55 hours, it should do the trick .
If you get affected by nicotin in snus , first step is to reduce the sodium carbonate amount , i cant measure the nicotin content i my own , but i get migraine if it´s to strong for me

 

[Grazor]

Thanks Jojjas. A can of general Los cost US $29 shipped. Crikey, 29 kilo is a lot. Still waiting for my 8lb from WLT. 7 days to NZ, been sitting at customs 9 days. Really looking forward to making some.