To outsiders, snus can be a mysterious beast. When those who are unfamiliar with Nordic nations visit a place like Sweden and notice people with bulges in the upper lip area, it often piques their curiosity. Others see snus cans for sale and have no idea how such a substance could be consumed.
The best way to learn how to use snus is a real-life demonstration, but in its absence, a few words on a screen will have to do.
We’ll run through how to use snus like a pro, along with some extra tips.
As anyone who has spent more than a few minutes browsing snus products has probably realized, there are two main types on the market — loose snus and portion snus.
Portion snus consists of sachets that look like tea bags, which are made of materials that the mouth can absorb tobacco juices through. It’s both the simplest to use and the most popular snus form, which makes it the logical place to start this explanation.
To use portion snus, simply:
Some find snus is more enjoyable when they “fluff out” the portions before putting them in the mouth.
This involves rolling the portion around between the fingers before putting it under the lip, creating a fluffy effect that can make the portions feel more comfortable — and even lead to a tastier flavor release.
Some people also like to move the pouch around slightly once it’s in the mouth to help it release more flavor.
For those who are new to snus, it can be tricky to recognize when it’s time for the journey shared with the product to come to an end.
Typically, original portions last for 45-50 minutes, while white portions can last as long as two hours due to their dryness (which promotes a slower release).
But there’s no need to set a timer — just take the portion out the mouth once it’s no longer providing any flavor or effect. This is something that’s tricky to put into words, but becomes very obvious after a few times consuming snus.
For those who enjoy making life more difficult for themselves (or who are simply a fan of the most traditional, pure version of snus), there’s loose snus.
Also known as snus powder, the general idea behind the product and its consumption is the same as that of portion snus — but its loose form means you’ll have to make the portions yourself. This creates an extra step.
To make snus portions, there are three main options:
The easiest way to figure out how long snus lasts is to check the expiration date on the snus can.
If the writing is in a different language, don’t panic. The first set of numbers should be the “best-before” date, while the second date is most likely when the snus was produced — and since snus is always produced before it expires, it’s easy to tell the two dates apart.
However, it’s worth noting that the “best before” date is often rather conservative. It’s usually set as six to seven months after the production date, but with careful storage, snus can last longer.
To use snus after its best before date, freeze it to prolong its use for up to a year. With vacuum sealing, it can last even longer!
Those who have used tobacco products like dip before are often concerned about the implications of swallowing snus.
Fortunately, due to the pasteurization process snus undergoes during manufacturing, snus users can safely swallow their saliva during consumption.
The pasteurization process involved in snus also makes it spit-free. Plus, the upper lip is far enough from the salivary glands to avoid excess salivation.
After getting up to speed with the basics, snus usage is all about trial and error. Loose or portion snus? Portioner tool or fingers? The farmer’s pinch or home baking? These are matters for every individual to decide for themselves.
