History
Snus (smokeless tobacco product) originally came from the New World, where the first colonialists first discovered the benefits of tobacco. The very first type was snuff, which was inhaled through the nose, just like our present-day counterpart. It is thought that the South American Indians mainly used this tobacco based variant in religious rites. It then spread across Europe during the 16th century and really picked up steam after Jean Nicot was reported to have cured the French Queen’s headache by advising her to use tobacco based snuff. Nicot then had tobacco named after him (Nicotiana in Latin) by our very own Linné.
During the 18th century, chewing tobacco was somewhat more common among the general public but this was relatively expensive so many started to use the moist ‘snus’ as a substitute. It was at the beginning of the 19th century that the first types of what is now called Swedish Snus began to be produced. Several of the types that were introduced then are still available on the market. You can read up on the different variations at this smokeless tobacco information site.
Production & Ingredients
Snus consists mainly of tobacco, water, various salts and a range of aromatic agents. The demands placed on snus are the same as for other foodstuffs - in order to guarantee quality and freshness. The tobacco used is of the air-dried variety and basically comes form all over the world. Water is added for moisture and salt for taste and increased shelf life. Finally, aromatic agents are added to distinguish the flavour of the snus.
The production process is relatively simple. The tobacco is first dried, after which it is ground into varying degrees of coarseness depending on what type of snus is being produced. Then it is processed by adding water and salt while stirring and heating it. Finally, the snus is packed into traditional tins and is ready for consumption. Snus should always be kept chilled to retain its flavour and freshness.
Snus Types & Usage
There are two different types of snus – loose snus (also called kramsnus (wet snus)) and portion snus. Loose snus is applied under the lip after having shaped a so-called ‘pinch’ using your fingers. The consistency of the snus (coarse, medium or fine) determines how easy this so-called ‘baking’ of the snus is.
Portion snus is packed into small bags made of the same fibres as teabags. The size of portion snus varies depending on brand and type but is generally around 20-25 grams. Portion snus has become more popular than the traditional loose snus in recent years and is now the type that is sold the most.
See what's happening with snus at Snus News.
How to use snus. It goes under your upper lip. No spitting. No chewing. No smoke.
