Portion Snus. The big and small of it!

Welcome back!!! I hope you all had a great day off! Today, we will be discussing the different types of Portion snus. My goal for this post is, by the end of it, you will know a bit about the world of portions, the differences between them and lössnus and have enough information to make an informed purchase. This may be my longest post yet due to there being many different types of portions so, please be patient and read the entire post. I just do not want you to make the same mistake I did in the beginning. So, if your ready, pop in a pris of lös, grab you favorite beverage (yes, you can drink and read here in Snustopia!) and get ready to enter the land of portion snus!

You're probably sitting there right now thinking, "well, his post on lössnus wasn't that long so, what could be so different about portions?" Plenty! Not only is it a relatively new way to enjoy snus (the first portion snus was introduced in 1973) but, it is also a more convenient and discreet way to enjoy it as well. Did you know that out of the near one million snus users in Sweden, women make up almost 10% of them? Some people attribute that to the creation of Portion snus! In my opinion, this is why this post will take some time and is extremely important here in Snustopia.

Ok, before we go into the different kinds of portions, let's go over what a portion is! A portion is exactly what the word implies, a portion of snus. It's the way the portion is presented that makes the difference or, changes the word into a term. Portion snus is a portion, in grams, of lössnus placed in a pouch made of a tea bag type material. The amount of snus in the pouch varies on the size of the portion (from 0.5g for mini portions, 1.0g for regular portion and 1.7g for maxi portions), the amount of portions in a can depends on the manufacturer. In my experience, most Large portion cans have 24 portions, Maxi portions are delegated by the weight of the snus (typically 24g) and mini portion cans have 24 portions. So, there you are, we have already discovered the 3 basic types of portions. Mini, Large and Maxi. Don't be fooled by thinking that the size of the portion dictates the amount of nicotine in it. You would be making the Number 1 newbie mistake here in Snustopia. As we will discover thru tasting the different portions, good things don't always come in Maxi packages!

The picture to the right shows two things. One, a portion of snus in it's tea bag type pouch and two, the typical size of a Mini portion. Mini portions generally hold the smallest amount of snus but not necessarily the smallest amount of nicotine. So, since we are looking at a Mini portion, let's explore a bit. While the typical Mini does have the smallest amount of nicotine (4 to 6 mg per portion) and tobacco (0.5g per portion) there are some Minis that have just as much nicotine as a large. We'll get into the specific brands later in the tour but, just be aware. Since the portion is small, this portion is generally used by women and, have flavors created just for women. (I personally think highly of some of them and I'm a man. It's just marketing and marketing is the same no matter where you go in my opinion.) Don't let the stigma get to you. As I said in the first posts, try them ALL. no matter who they are geared to. There are male Snustopians that like minis and female Snustopians that like Maxi's. I personally use minis when I'm at work because they are more discreet. Anyway, if you want to see the actual size of a mini and, are not ready to order from BuySnus.com and, live in the US, you can get a can of Camel SNUS or Marlboro snus. They are basically mini portions and will give you the feel of a mini and an idea of size. One other thing about Minis, they are generally "White" or dry portions. We'll get more into the difference later.

Large portions are pretty much the norm for snus. Most manufacturers make their portion snus in large portions. Why, I don't know but, in my research, this seems to be the practice. They are generally twice the size of a mini and use the same material for the pouch. They also come in either White portions or Original portions. "White" portions are dry meaning, the manufacturing process does not add anymore moisture to the product. "Original" portions have added moisture or "snus juice" sprayed on them in the final stage to enhance flavor. The main difference is, White portions have less tendency to "Run" than Original. I personally like the juice so, I prefer Original portions. Most American snus is White. This is one of the reasons why they do not need to be stored cold after opening. Large portions also have 1.0g of snus inside and, this is where it gets interesting, anywhere between 6mg and 12mg of nicotine per portion. The amount of nicotine is not dictated by the amount of snus. The amount of snus stays the same. It's the type of tobacco and, the part of the plant that does that! There are portion snus out there that have more nicotine than a Maxi portion. There are a few large portion snus out there that are black. Not to worry, this is a part of the marketing and do not effect the taste, in my opinion. One of them is General Onyx and, I think LD still uses them in one of thier snusses as well. The picture to the right shows a "White" portion snus and to the left, General Onyx and it's "Black" portion.

The last type and, the largest of the portions, is the Maxi portion. Maxi portions have the most tobacco in them and, generally the highest nicotine levels. Maxi portions generally have about 1.7g of snus and their range is above 11mg of nicotine. I haven't seen a white maxi so, in my opinion, they are all Original. (If anyone here has seen a white Maxi, please post a reply and we will edit this statement.) These are the only differences in regards to Maxi. They use the same tea bag material and overall, they are a larger portion. About 50% larger than a Large portion.

There are many sub-categories for these sizes and, we will explain them as we run into them because if we went ahead and explained them now, the post would be a mile long, we'd never get to any reviews and, I'd have to blow a horn every 30 minutes to wake you up!!! As long as you remember that there are three main classes of Portion snus (Mini, Large and Maxi), there are two main types (White and Original) and, nicotine levels are dictated by the type of tobacco not, the size of the portion, you'll be OK. Just remember, don't be intimidated by the marketing of a snus. Just because it says it's designed for women doesn't mean only women can use it or, just because it doesn't say it's for women ,women shouldn't use it. Try them all and make the decision yourself.

I know today was a short lesson but, the next lesson will be exciting because we will begin to review the actual snus. I felt that without a little knowledge about the differences between Lössnus and Portionsnus and, the differences between all portion snus, you wouldn't have the tools you need to either grasp the reviews or, if you will be tasting along with us, what you were purchasing. I promise, from here on out, the posts will become more exciting and, we may travel outside of Snustopia on field trips to other lands with other smokeless products! Class dismissed for today!!!

Different types of Snus and Göteborg's Rapé Lös

Today, we will not be visited by any part of Snustopia's ministries! Hurrah!! Instead, we are going to go forward with the difference between Lös snus and Portion snus. We will also review one of the staple snus here in Snustopia, Göteborgs Rapé Lössnus.

You may be asking yourself by now "It seems like we took the long way around the lake instead of taking the bridge!". In fact, we did. I took you this way because there may be some in the group that don't know the basics of snus and, it's important to know the basics in order to to enjoy your time here! Without knowing where snus comes from, you wouldn't know that it takes up to 7 days to get it. If you didn't know that snus can last up to a year in the freezer, you wouldn't know that you can save money by buying in bulk and, If we didn't explain how to read the Best Before date on the can, you would be throwing away good snus (which is frowned upon here in Snustopia!). Now that you know the reason for going the long way, let's move on to the 2 different types of snus.

Lössnus or, Loose snus in english, is the original snus that dates back over 200 years. it is basically the way it sounds, loose tobacco. Depending on the cut or grind, (Fine, Medium Fine, Coarse and Long) the appearance can range from wet mud to "American Dip". The picture to the right shows an open can or lös snus. In a way, the snus resembles the American snuff "Copenhagen". It should! Copenhagen's origins are in Sweden (meaning that Swedes that immigrated to the US in the 1800's brought the idea with them NOT that Cope is made in Sweden) so, the two are relatives if you will. The noticeable difference is, the Swedish Lössnus has more moisture than Copenhagen and is a bit finer of a grind. There are some snus brands that look identical to Copenhagen (Offroad Long cut) but that's where the similarities end. Since Swedish lössnus has more moisture, it will hold a shape better which means it's cleaner in the mouth amd, in my opinion, easier on the gums. The grind has a lot to do with mouth feel but, moisture is just as important. I mention moisture alot with lössnus simply because it plays a very large role in the overall enjoyment of the snus and, as a way to tell your snus is aging. As lössnus sits out, it will tend to dry out. As I mentioned in one of the previous chapters, you can rescue it with a couple of drops of the liquid of your choice to bring it back. Most residents of Snustopia will add a bit of liquor while others will use water. use whatever you prefer.

So, how do I use lössnus? Easy!!! There are 3 basic ways to use lös. Bonde or "Hillbilly" method, Hand Baking and using a portion tool (which is what I do). The Bonde method (which translates loosly to Farmer from Swedish but, I don't suggest using this word around Swedes since it is a deragetory word and will offend our friends to the North East) is basically the preferred method of "Dipping" only placing the portion in the upper lip instead of the lower lip. It is here where we need to intorduce a new word into your vocabulary, "Prilla" or "Pris". Pris (pronounced "Price") is the old world translation of "Portion". It is not used too often anymore. It has been replaced by "Prilla" which has the same meaning. In Snustopia we believe in tradition so, we will refer to a portion of lössnus as a "Pris". Outside the country, feel free to use either. :>).

The "Hand Baking" or "Hand Rolling" method is an art of taking a portion of snus and forming it into a cylinder shape by manipulating it with the fingers and the palm of your hand. When I began using Lös, I had a hard time getting it right. Even with the help of a video, I could not get the technique down just right. There is a video available at a very informative forum called SnusOn.com by a member named Zobeloot that shows the Hand Baking method. I am a member there and learned much of what I know about snus there. Please visit sometime and view the video.

The last method and, in my opinion the easiest is, Using a tool!! To the right, is a picture of an Icetool. This is the best tool to form the pris and, the official portion tool of Snustopia! There are cheaper tools out there but, in my opinion, the portions they make are not the correct shape and become flimsy over time. At about $2.00 USD, Prismaster is available at most online snus shops. For the beginner, they are a great training tool to see if you like lössnus. When you do make the decision and it's to use lös, I'd highly recommend purchasing an Icetool. Starting at around $40.00 USD they come in either Stainless Steel (The picture is of this model) or High grade Aluminum and assorted colors. They also come in two diameters. 3 ml and 5 ml. (3 ml is pictured) The way to deceide on the size of an Icetool is, Hand Bake first, decied on wheather a thick cylinder is more comfortable or a thin cylinder. Then purchase the size. If your like me, you purchase both. Sometimes I like a fatter cylinder over the thin one. I know your saying "Let me just go pick $90 off the money tree out back and be like you!! NOT!!". Let me just say, I didn't buy them at the same time. I bought the 3 ml first then, the 5 ml about a month later. Just remember, It's not necessary to buy an Icetool to use lös. The cheap Portionmaster will work until you make the decision. The Icetool will last long enough to pass down to your grandkids so, it's up to you but, all reviews on lössnus will use the 3 mi Icetool.

The method for the Icetool and the Portionmaster are the same. You just set the plunger to the desired length of the pris, push the tool down repeatedly to fill it, press the bottom of the tool against the can top to pack the

pris to the tightness desired, place the tool in your upper lip, just to the left or right of the piece of skin in the middle of your upper lip and press the plunger while moving the tool back and, enjoy the pris for as long as you desire! that's it! No messy hands like Hand Baking, and a neat pris in your lip with little or no mudslide. (as long as you leave it alone! the more you play with the pris with your tongue, the more you run the risk of a mudslide!) The picture to the left shows the tool and the finished pris using the 3ml tool. I promiss you, you will not be disapointed if you get an Icetool! So now, you've seen how we make a pris with lössnus and, what lössnus looks like. Let's go into our first taste review!

The first snus we will reviewing is Göteborgs Rapé Lös. Since we used this snus in the method piece above as an example, please refer to the pictures above for the look of the snus can and contents. This snus is made by Swedish Match and is one of the staple snus in it's line. The grind of this snus is Fine and the moisture level is perfect for either one of the 3 usage methods. Göteborg's Rapé has a medium nicotine level with a mild tobacco taste. Other tastes are of Juniper and herbs along with the ever present saltiness although not pronounced, just in the background. In my opinion, this can be used as an everyday snus and enjoyed with a variety of drinks. For those here in Snustopia that, like to kick back after a long day with a cup of coffee or Iced Tea, this is a great combination for relaxing. Since it has Juniper notes, Gin and Tonic made with either Bombay gin or Tangueray would be a great to enhance that flavor. For those of us that don't drink, Coffee and Tea will bring out the Tobacco and Herbal flavors quite well. I have this snus in my regular rotation and place it in my top 5 favorite snus. Depending on the method used to make the pris, the flavor lasts for up to 2 hours without going sour or bitter. I recommend keeping this snus in for around 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours although the nicotine will have gone out within 45 minutes. Since it's not an Extra FIne grind, mudslides are at a minimum when keeping it in under 1 hr. Snustopia rates this snus an overall 8 on a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being the lowest.

See. As I promissed, we have just posted our first review of a great Lössnus. I encourage you to try this snus and reply with what your opinion is and, we'll add it to the knowledge base here in Snustopia. Please remember, the reviews given are MY opinion of what I taste. You may taste other flavors that some won't. That's the great thing about Snus and Snustopia. Everyone's tastes are different and we want to know what you taste! I know I didn't explain the Portion snus but, I figured it's easier to give you the differences using a Portion snus rather than a lös so, tomorrow, we will explain the portion side and review a portion snus.

Ministry of Information - Snus Type and Destinction, Reverse Yearing office.

Welcome to the home of Snus Longevity and Brand Distinction! This is the place to learn about how long snus can last when stored properly, how to read the "Best Before" dates on snus can bottoms and, where snus is produced. We also house reviews of all snus brands used here in Snustopia!

Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the section to the left of the post page. Going forward on your journey, all posts will be listed in this pane. This will make it easier for you to go back and review ANY previous posts, if needed! We here at the Snustopia Information Ministry, are striving to make your transition from Tourist to Resident as easy as possible. Please feel free to post any questions or comments you have and, we will respond to them as quickly as possible! Thank you and , enjoy your stay here in Snustopia! M.o.I. - S.T. and D.R.Y.

Wow, those guys at M.o.I.-S.T. and D.R.Y. (thier acronym) are really helpful! I'm glad they made it easier for us to find the prior chapters as we venture even deeper into Snustopia. It can get confusing so, this will be the best way to go back and review if needed! Ok, now that that's over, let's get on to business!

As we have discussed in past posts, most snus in made in Sweden. I say most because there are snus producers outside of Sweden. Norway, for example, produces a few brands. But, in Snustopia, we will be reviewing snus from Sweden. This is due to no availability of Norwegian snus here in the states. If it becomes available to us here in Snustopia or, you have tasted it (if you have, please comment!!), M.o.I. - S.T. and D.R.Y. will add it to the database so all can enjoy.

Dates can be confusing, plain and simple. when you get your first can of Swedish Snus, you'll want to turn it over (with the top on) and take a look. The picture here shows what the bottom of a typical can looks like.

We are only concerned with looking for the "Best Before" date in this example. Since most snus is produced in Sweden, it would make sense that the language used on the can is Swedish. Unfortunately, no residents in Snustopia can read Swedish to date (I am learning) so, I will try to translate. The main text of the can "Denna tobaksvara kan skada din hälsa och är beroende-framkallande." translates to "This tobacco-product can damage your health and is addictive." Below this health statement is "Bäst före" meaning "Best Before". This is the Best Before date! (Duh Snus Guy!!!) Here is where it gets confusing. In America, dates typically have a format of MM/DD/YY or MM/DD/YYYY. Some American dating codes even add YYYY/MM/DD or YY/MM/DD. Most European manufacturers follow this dating system as well but, when Europeans speak the date or write it longhand, it is coded as 25, September 2008. The military does it this way as well. In Sweden, the coding is done the same way it is spoken so, the date in this example is in DD/MM/YY format so the "Best Before" date for this can is November 6th 2008! Now, your probably saying, "Why the heck did he just spend the last couple of minutes with this, it's just a date!". If you are saying this to yourself you are either in the military or, European. You wouldn't believe how many Snustopians have tossed out perfectly good snus because they thought their snus was past the "Best Buy" date! Especially if the "Day" was between the 1st and the 12th. The 13th day and beyond, it's not too far of a stretch to figure it out! The only exception to this rule is with Swedish Match snus packaged for sale in the US. The bottom of the can is in English and the date code is as well. Just remember, Unless you went to your local tobacco shop to buy General or Catch brands, the date code will be just like the below example.

So, are we clear on the date code? I hope so. Remember, if you forget, the M.o.I.- S.T. and D.R.Y. is here to help you!

Now that you know how to tell where the best before date is, what does it mean? It is important to know when your snus should be used by. Most snus, that I have received typically have a "Best Before" date around 2 months out. The example at the right was received at the end of August 2008 so, a little over 2 months. Now, another big question is, "Does my snus expire or, go bad past the date?" the answer is No. If snus is kept cold, open cans should last a few months past the date with minimal loss in taste. Basically, snus begins to mellow as it ages. Mind you, I've never had an open can LAST past the best before date but, some Snustopians have and, this is what has been reported regarding portion snus. Lös snus will begin to dry out as it is open. Portions will as well but, not to worry. Just add a few drops of your favorite liquid (I use Chateaû Tap), shake the can a bit and they will come back to life. Just remember, the only bad thing for snus is extreme heat.

There is a way to extend your snus' live up to a year past the Best Before date! That way is to freeze it. Many Snustopians purchase thier favorite flavors by the roll for two reasons: one, it's cheaper to order rolls of the flavors and types you use the most, two, shipping times from Sweden can take up to 14 days or longer if it's a holiday and, you wouldn't want to be caught short and finally, there are some snus' that only come out in a limited run or time of year (Julesnus from Gotlandssnus is only sold in December). Using this method, you can take comfort in the knowledge that you will always have plenty of your favorite snus on hand!

Well, now that you know how to find the Best Before date on your snus, you know what the bottom of the can says, that cold snus will last longer and freezing it even longer and the Ministry of Information's letters spell Moist and Dry. I think we are ready to learn about the different tastes. Again, these are the basics and I (Not the Ministry) will throw other tips in as I remember them or, as you respond. I know we left out the difference between Portions and lös, we'll start with that in the next chapter along with my first review.

From "Tourist to "National"

Welcome back! Has anyone done the homework assignment? I hope you have because you'll need it! In the posts going forward, I will be helping you to become a resident of Snustopia by showing you how to properly use snus, how it should be stored, what "Best Before Date" means and how to read them on the bottom of the tin along with taste reviews on the brands I have already tried and new flavors as I try them. Hopefully, you have done the extra credit work and ordered yourself a tin or two from the fine folks at BuySnus.com. If not, because you are new to snus, my recommendations for a "resident in training" in Snustopia would be a Portions "starter" box from them. 8 tins with a great vareity to start with. If funds are limited (mine were), a tin of General white portion and a tin of General Lös will do until you get accustomed to our national past time! So, If you're ready, let's learn how we snus in Snustopia!

The most common way to use snus is to place the portion or, if your using the lös first, the Prilla or Pris (pronounced Price) in the front of the upper lip. Pretty much just to the left or right of the little piece of skin between the inner lip and gums. Although some snussers will place it in the bottom lip like American dip, we will be using the upper lip. "But why?" you say? Simple, this is the way I was taught to use snus in the true Swedish way! This method produces the lowest amount of saliva so, less saliva, less juice, less wanting to spit but, with Swedish Snus, you can swallow the small amount of juice! I did when I began and love the flavor. In my research, the nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream thru the mucus membranes in the mouth so, I find that, when my gums are dry, the nicotine is absorbed better. Also, the upper lip tends not to get as much saliva so, this is the best practice in Snustopia. Now, you will probably read that the nicotine is absorbed only by the lining of the stomach so, swallowing the juice is the ONLY way to get it. WRONG!! While there is some absorbed by swallowing the juice, the main transference is thru the gums so, if your standoffish about swallowing the juice, spit. As long as you get enjoyment from our past time, the Snus police won't toss you in jail for spitting. Just know, it's safe to do so! Ok, that's enough about where to put your snus and swallowing or not swallowing.

"How Long do I keep a portion or pris in?" Good question! It basically depends on your preference. Based on my research, the average in Sweden is anywhere between 15 to 45 minutes. Which, to be honest, I could never understand. In my personal experience, the snus seems to begin to get flavorful after 30 minutes and, with some flavors, will last up to 2 hours. The main thing to remember is this, it takes about 10 minutes for the nicotine to start working and is pretty much gone from the snus after about 45 minutes. In my opinion, after about 1 hour for portions, the flavor is pretty much gone. Lös snus flavor, for me anyway, lasts the longest. I generally get flavor for up to 2 hours with each pris. As you go, you'll find your favorites and form your own opinions. That's the great thing with snus and our country's mantra. "Everyone tastes something different in the same snus and we want to hear about it!"

Speaking of the Mantra, there is a rule of the land. As you tour the land of Snustopia and explore the tastes of different snus, I value your opinion on what you taste. Please feel free to post comments about what you are tasting or questions about snus. I created Snustopia to educate, to the best of my ability, and share snus with the rest of the world so, post away. I'll try to answer your questions as best as I can. Thank you. -Snustopia Ministry of Questions and Tastes, Tourists Division.

Since we seem to be going with the basics, let's talk storage. Swedish Snus is best kept at a temperature of +8°C (that is what is on the bottom of the cans, converted to Fahrenheit it's 46.4° or 45°F). Does this need to be precise? No. Making a home in the bottom of the fridge is just fine. I keep mine in a mini fridge, near my desk. My obsession with snus has called for a dedicated fridge simply because I have so many. I will give you my method for storing: Sealed tins with a Best Before date at least 2 months out are kept in the fridge along with opened tins. (I have about 6 tins open at any given time for vareity) Tins with Best Before dates 1 1/2 months or less go into a ziplock bag with as much air removed as possible and the date then, into the freezer. Purchased rolls go into the freezer and tins are taken out as needed and defrosted in the fridge for 24 hours prior to use. You can freeze snus for up to a year with little taste loss. Haven't had any last that long but, some have and they are fine. The only thing snus does not like is heat. Why you ask? again, it's due to the process it's cured by and the formation of those nasty TSNA's we spoke about in chapter 2. When out and about in Snustopia, I carry a tin with a divider in it and carry 4 different kinds. Some flavored, some Strong and some regular portions. (even the Snustopia founder is still self conscious regarding Lös and using it in public.) I personally love the feel of cold snus on my gums so, My snus lives in the fridge when it's at home. You'll develope a taste for how you like your snus as we go on but, just remember. By snus not liking heat I mean HOT! Like keeping your snus in the car on a +90°F day, all day, all the time....Not good. It will begin to ferment and that's not good. Keeping it in your pocket for 8 hours or, on your desk is fine. Remember, snus tastes best when it's moist and, keeping it in the fridge will keep it that way longer.

Ok. I've given you enough to read for today. We'll continue on in the next chapter. Remember, If you have started snus, please post your comments or questions. We have an extensive knowledge base here in the land and will try to answer your questions with it along with adding your comments to it.

Creation!

Hopefully, you have read the last 2 posts and have formed some questions or, at the very least, opinions about Swedish Snus. In the last post, I had said that we would go into the different types of Swedish Snus and about SnusOn.com. As promised, this is exactly what we will be doing in this chapter.

I named this chaper "Creation!" because it was at this stage of my research that I created a love for Swedish snus and basically ended a 27 year habit. The creation of that love began with the finding of SnusOn.com.

Now, you must understand something before we continue. I have only been using Swedish Snus for a little over 2 months now and, even though it's a relatively short amount of time, I feel like one of snus' largest supporters and, one of the few to dedicate an entire blog around it. As I said in the beginning, I'm taking a trip thru snus and taking you along with me. So, if your ready and, still willing to go forward, let's get going!!

Please remember, the reviews I give here are based on what I taste in the snus. When you try it, you may or may not taste the same things because everyone's taste is different. This is what makes snus and the snus experience special and makes me love it even more. I am in no way an expert on the subject but, thru research and experience, I know enough to be dangerous.

You may be saying to yourself, "just what makes snus so special or different from snuff or "dip"? In my opinion, it's a few things. The first being the way Swedish Snus is processed. By processed I mean cured. Curing is what makes the tobacco useable and flavorful. While I'm not an expert on the processes of either, I will try to give you the short version on what my research has found. "Dip" is "Fire" Cured which is what gives it it's smokey flavor and dark color. What this also does is create chemicals calles TSNA's or, Nitrosamides. Nitrosamides are the cancer causing chemicals in tobacco. While they are much lower in "dip" than in cigarettes, they are even lower in Swedish snus. Swedish snus is cured by steaming which results in even lower amounts of Nitrosamides because the temperatures are lower during the curing process. Again, I'm not an expert but, do a search on TSNA's+snus+dip and you'll see that snus IS lower in TSNA's due to it's curing process.

The second reason is that, in Sweden, snus is considered a "Food Product" because it is placed in the mouth. This means that it must pass inspection by the Swedish equivalent of the US FDA. This means that the product would be purer than american "dip" since the government must give it's approval before it can be consumed. American "dip" or chewing tobacco does not go thru the FDA. (For more on the inspection and approval process, please visit www. gothiatek.com)

The last reason, for me atleast, is variety. while there are many different "dip" manufactorers, there are only a few flavors. The staples being, original, wintergreen, and Full. Skoal does make fruit flavors like cherry, green apple and others but, these are the staples for most "dip" producers. Also, there are only a few major companies that make it. RJR Tobacco, US Tobacco, and Swedish Match (yes, the same Swedish Match that makes Snus). While Swedish Snus DOES have it's giants in the business like Swedish Match, BAT and ....well...that's it. The majority of the other producers are relatively small companies. The biggest snus producer is, by far, Swedish Match. They produce many of the most popular brands like General, Röda Lacket, Ettan, Catch, Grövsnus, Göteborg's Rape and others. They also produce the american snus brand Triumph along with Red Man, TimberWolf and Longhorn brand "Dips". Even though Swedish Match is a huge company, thier quality of snus is very high. It's the reason they have the market share in Sweden.

While I'll never bad mouth American Dip (because I do on occasion use Red Man Moist) I just feel Swedish Snus is better for you, health wise, and I enjoy the taste more. Did I also mention that Snus is "Spitless"? This means that you can enjoy snus without the need for a spit cup. This makes it more stealthy. I use it at work and no one is the wiser. ; )

Now, your saying, "OK, OK! enough of the health babble!! Give us the reviews!!! Ok. Before we go to the different brands and flavors, I need you, the reader, to do a little homework assignment. To get a better understanding on how many brands and flavors there are to choose from. I need you to visit either www.BuySnus.com or www.northerner.com . They are the best online snus shops online with the largest selections of Swedish Snus. You're going to need to see what each looks like while we do the explainations. There will be extra credit for anyone that orders from BuySnus using the link on the left of this page! To get a better feel of what we will be sharing, please visit www.snuson.com . This forum, like I said, is the best knowledge base for snus. The members, of which I'm one (AirWoodstock) are the best and will answer any question you put out there regarding snus. This is due tomorrow. I have to charge up my camera to take pictures of the flavors I'll be reviewing.

The Awakening!!

So, here we are. The second stop on the road to Snustopia! As I said in the "Beginnings" post, today we will learn the difference between true Swedish Snus and "American" Snus. I will also go into what led me to make the decision I have made. Before we embark on our journey though, I must say this: I do not claim to be the "All Knowing", "All Seeing", end all to beat all source for Swedish or any other snus. I am simply on a quest for knowledge and taking you, the reader, along for the journey! The opinions I have formed are my own based on personal tastes and what I have learned from others more knowledgable than me. (Which is everyone according to my Wife . 8>\ ) Whew! Glad that's over! Now, if everyone's ready, On to the Awakening!


As I said at the end of "Beginnings", I will discuss the different types of Swedish Snus and give my opinion on "American" Snus. I feel I need to take you back to the weekend I got back from the race so you can see how I formed the opinions I have and found Swedish Snus first.

When I came home that weekend, my head was reeling. I had just found a new vice that had totally taken the urge to smoke away in one day (there was a catch to this which I'll explain later) and I knew nothing about it! All I knew about it was what that gal at the gas station told me and, that I was hooked on Snus from Sweden! Well, what I thought was snus from Sweden.

Once I got home, I began searching the Internet for information about snus. The first place I found was Wikipedia. It was here that I began to realize that Camel SNUS is not Swedish Snus. There is a BIG difference between the two and I was about to learn why I was feeling the urge to smoke only when I didn't have a Camel SNUS pouch in. You see, the Camel SNUS is a snus of sorts. It's an "American" snus meaning, a smokeless tobacco product that is made in the "Swedish" fashion and used like Swedish Snus but, it's not made in Sweden nor does it taste like Swedish Snus. So, in essence, this is why the snus in Camel SNUS is capitalized. It's a snus-like product so, it can't be called snus. If that makes any sense. (Note; if you would like to read where else I came up with this opinion, Mr. Unloadingzone's blog is where I read about the differences. He's a fellow Snusophile and a very knowlegeable resourse on RJR Tobacco's attempt to develope this market. I encourage you to visit his site!)

Now your probably sitting in your chair, saying to yourself , "I'm confused. If Camel SNUS isn't really snus but, it's made like snus yet, it doesn't taste like snus but you're hooked on SNUS...I mean Snus and you haven't tasted SnUs but you still want to smoke sNUs......." I get it. You wouldn't be alone. This is exactly how I felt after reading the Wiki and Mr. ULZ's blog. So now, I needed to know what Swedish snus was, where to get it, how to use it and, some idea of how it differs in taste from Camel's. Before we go there, here's a little description of the tastes for the two Camel SNUS flavors I tried (and still do on occasion). Remember, these are descriptions prior to having the real thing:

Camel SNUS Spice:

• Comes in a metal tin containing 15 Small pouches. Pouches seem to be made of a type of "tea bag" type material. The tobacco is dry and smells like Pumpkin Pie seansonings (IMO). Taste is the same and quite sweet. When placed in the upper front lip, burns for about 5 minutes. Flavor lasts for about 30 minutes. A slight Aspertame aftertaste once the pouch is expelled. Overall, A good tasting product but, no real nicotine level noticed which would explain why I wanted a cigarette after using it.

Camel SNUS Frost:

• Same metal tin as Spice with the same pouch quantity and quality. Tobacco is the same but the taste is very similar to Spearmint gum. Lip feel and aftertaste are the same as Spice but, the flavor seems to disapate after about 15 minutes. Nicotine lever is the same as Spice.

After reading Mr. ULZ's blog, I learned that Camel SNUS has only 6 mg. of nicotine in each pouch, which is another difference between Swedish Snus and Camel SNUS. I began to dig a little deeper on the internet and, a forum named SnusOn.com popped up. I deceided to go to this site solely due to Mr. ULZ's recomendation on his blog. Here's where the world of Snus, for me, and Snustopia were literally born! I know I said we would explore the different types of Swedish Snus in this chapter but, when I mentioned SnusOn.com I remembered all the things I learned and, am still learning, purely from the great people there, I deceided that it should be in it's own chapter along with the whole Swedish Snus experience. Trust me, it will be worth the wait! I promiss.

Now, let's review where we are to this point.

• We learned that there is an alternative to smoking that dosen't require a spit can. (No offence to you American Smokless users out there. I like Red Man Snuff every once in a while.)
• You now have another alternative to go to your favorite sporting event and get your nicotine without leaving your seat.
• There IS a difference between Swedish Snus and Camel SNUS.
• Mr. ULZ is a wealth of information and a fellow Snusophile.
• That Snus Guy better tell us about the wonders of Swedish Snus in the next post, OR ELSE!!!!!!

Before I end this post, there are snuses that are made by a swedish company and available at any Speedway Gas Station. One is called Tourney and, if you live in Ohio, there's Triumph. They are made by the Swedish Match company, in Sweden. Swedish Match is the largest snus manufactorer in Sweden and make the General Brand family of Snus. You can try Camel's version if you like sweet but, Triumph and Tourney will be closer to the real thing. In the next chapter, you'll find out why.

Happy Snusing from Snustopia!!

The Beginnings

Well, we're off! I guess I should explain why I created this blog first. It all began with a race. At the time, I was a 2+ pack a day smoker for the past 27 years. I've tried every method out there to stop and none of them worked for any amount of time. Patches, gums, lozenges, cold turkey, voodoo dolls, prescription drugs, nothing. I had seriously been trying for 5 years and the only thing I got out of these things was a headache and a smaller balance in the bank. Well, I had convinced myself that I was going to be a smoker for life and there was nothing I could do about it! Now, your probably sitting there saying "here we go, another whiny guy with no self control and will power.". Since I could write a day long blog just on that subject, we'll press on with the story.

I am a HUGE NASCAR fan and have a buddy that I go to any race with. This year he had an extra ticket to the summer race at Indy. I always drive because, I smoke and he dosen't but, never minded me smoking in his truck or in the hotel room at the races but, this time it was different. We were staying at his cousin's house and none of his family smoked. Now, If any of you have ever been to a NASCAR event you'll understand how hard it is to smoke when you have over 100,000 fellow fans crammed in stands like sardines without burning someone or, getting ashes all over the people in front of you so, I decided that I was going to get a can of "Dip" for the race. I can get my "Nic" fix and not worry about burning anybody or missing any of the race because I had to go smoke. Here's where the fascination with Snus begins!

I stopped at a gas station in Indianapolis, IN. to get my "Dip" and noticed a small, clear acrylic box on the counter with "Cold Camel SNUS sold here". I asked the cashier what it was and she said "It's a new kind of dip that we have to keep cold. It's in pouches, cleaner that regular dip and you don't have to spit because you put it in your upper lip.". Being a guy that likes trying something new, I bought 2 tins of the "Spice" and headed for the track. As we got settled in for tailgating, I put a pouch in my upper lip as the gal said. I was hooked! I'll go into the flavor in another blog but, let's just say, I never smoked another cigarette again and it all BEGAN with Camel SNUS. On the way home, I stopped at the same station and bought all 14 cans they had because I had never seen it where I live and was afraid of running out.

When I got home, I told my wife about what had happened and she was amazed! She suggested I go out to the Internet and research this SNUS thing and make sure it's safe. I spent a few days reading everything I could about Camel SNUS. What I read both intrigued and confused me. There are quite a few web sites and forums about Snus but not many about Camel SNUS. What I did find about Camel SNUS was not very encouraging but, what I found on Swedish Snus (notice the spelling difference in Snus) really intrigued me! It was this day that I discovered an entirely new world, and passion. Real Swedish Snus!

In my next post, we'll explore the wonderful world of Swedish Snus and my opinions on "American Snus".