Snus FAQ / New User Guide
So, are you new to snus and have all sorts of questions? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Today, we’re going to dive into anything and everything you ever wanted to know about snus, including how to use it. I gathered up all the common questions I see regularly about snus and put together this article to help those who may be new to snus and coming here with a wide range of questions. I started snus back in 2009, and for 15 years now I’ve been writing about snus and answering questions from folks who are new to snus. When I started, there weren’t a lot of resources out there for those who were new to snus, so I’m excited to contribute something to the data bank here on SnusExpress.com that will help future generations of snus enthusiasts! So, you have questions? We have answers! Let’s get into it.
What is Swedish Snus?
What is this Swedish Snus stuff? Well, it’s a pasteurized tobacco product that comes in either the loose format or the pouched format. Snus is pasteurized, which makes it different from dip. Dip is fermented, so snus has less carcinogens (cancer causing agents) and lower TSNA levels than dip. This is why a lot of people switch from dip to snus. Snus originated a few hundred years ago in France, where it was used as nasal snuff, a dry powder that was inhaled through the nose. It made it’s way to Sweden, and was mixed with water to create snus, a tobacco product placed in the upper lip. And from there, it has continued to grow and evolve as time has gone by!
How do I get snus from Sweden to my door?
So, how do I get this snus stuff? Well, here on SnusExpress.com of course. Depending on the country you life, you can order via postal services or UPS. Depening on your country age verifciation is necessary. Shipping times can vary, though. Once the package is out of SnusExpress’ hands, it is generally up to the courier in how fast it gets to you.
How should I store my snus?
This is one of the most common questions I get asked. Well, there are a few rules of thumb I like to use when talking about snus storage.
1. If you are going to use your snus by the “expiration date”, or the “best before” date on the bottom of the can, you can put it in your refrigerator.
2. If you aren’t going to use your snus by that date, I advise freezing it. You can use freezer bags if you want, or you can vacuum seal for maximum freshness.
3. Once a can of snus is open, I advise not to pull it in and out of cold storage, as that can generally have an effect on the quality.
If you freeze your snus, it’s good almost forever. I have some cans in my freezer that are a decade old, and are still good to go. So, freezing snus can prolong how long your snus is good for!
Snus Usage and General Information
There are a lot of questions about snus usage, so I’m going to break them down one by one!
How do I use snus?
Well, it’s quite simple! Snus, unlike dip, goes in your upper lip. It has less contact with the salivary glands and doesn’t “juice up” as much. You can simply toss a pouch in your upper lip, and enjoy!
Do I need to spit with snus?
No, snus is a spit-free product. Going in the upper lip makes it not juice up as much, but also due to how it’s made, your saliva is completely safe to swallow when using snus.
Which side of the lip do I use?
This is generally personally preference. I like to switch sides as I go. I used to just use the left side. Some prefer the right side. As long as it’s in your upper lip, this part is up to you.
How long do I leave a snus in for?
This generally varies, but it’s for as long as you get flavor. For me, original portions stay in for about 40-45 minutes, white portions for about an hour, white dry portions for up to two hours, and loose snus for about 45 minutes to an hour.
How much snus do you use in a day?
This also varies. Some people only use 3-4 portions a day. I only use a half a can a day. I know some that use a full can a day. This is really up to you, and what you need to get through the day!
What is the extra lid on top used for?
This is a question that I actually see quite a bit. People ask, “hey, what is that extra lid on the top used for?” Well, this is called the “catch lid”. If you pull the top lid off, you’ll find a little compartment in the top. This “catch lid” is commonly used if you aren’t near a trash receptacle. You can toss your used portions in there, then when you are able to dump then, you can toss them when you are near a trash bin!
What are the various snus nicotine strengths?
It’s a lot different now than when I started snus. Back then, we had regular, strong, and extra strong. Now, it’s a little more complex. Let’s check out these varying strength levels!
Regular Strength - 8mg/g
This is the classic, traditional, base level of snus. For most of us, this is a satisfactory level and is all we ever need. I’ve hung around this level for 15 years now and have been quite happy with it. For most, this level of snus is perfection!
Strong Level - 12-14mg/g
This is a little stronger than that regular strength level above. I can use this from time to time, but it’s not a full time thing for me. If you’re happy with regular strength but want just a little extra kick, this is a good option.
Extra Strong Level - 16-19mg/g
When I first started snus, this was the strongest level around. For me, I don’t use it all the time, it’s too strong. But, after a full meal, the kick from an extra strong is pretty nice!
Extreme/Super Strong - 20mg/g-26mg/g
This is going to be a little above that extra strong mark, and have just a little extra kick to it. I don’t really use this strength too much personally, but it’s okay for time to time after a long day or a full meal.
Ultra Strong - Anything above 26mg/g
This is the highest of the high when it comes to snus. This is going to be products like Siberia, at 43mg/g. I don’t mess with this strength personally, I find it to be much too strong for full time, or even occasional, usage. But, some really like it. It’s for those who really want that high octane experience!
What different types of portions are there?
Portion snus is the most common type of snus used. You’ll find a wide variety of formats and moisture levels, so I’m going to cover all of them!
Portion Formats
Mini Size - These are small, discrete portions, usually 0.5g or less. These are for those who don’t want a big pouch in their lips.
Regular / Large Size - This is the traditional size. Called “regular” or “large”, it’s a wide pouch.
Slim Size - This is going to have a more slim size and a better fit under the lip. I prefer the slim size, personally.
Moisture Amounts
White Dry Portion - These pouches have virtually no moisture to them. The flavor is milder, and isn’t as bold. But, it has an added benefit that flavor lasts a very, very long time!
White Dry Portion - These are like white dry portions, but have a little more moisture to the tobacco. They don’t have the extra moisture sprayed on them at the end of production like original portions do, however.
Original Portion - These are moist, brown pouches. They have extra moisture sprayed on the at the end of production, and have a bold, quick release of flavor. They don’t last as long as white portions, however.
What is loose snus / lös snus, and how do I use it?
The oldest format of snus is loose. This is often called “loose”, or “lös”, or “lössnus”. I like it a lot, personally, because it is as close as you can get to the tobacco. For tobacco enthusiasts, this is truly the way to go. If you’re wondering how to use it, it can be done a number of ways. Some like to do the “farmer’s pinch”, or just take a pinch out of the can and throw it in the upper lip. I like to handbake, or form a prilla (portion of loose snus) in my hand and put under my upper lip. If you don’t want to do any of that, you can find tools like the Prismaster or the Icetool that will form it for you. However you choose to do it, I think this is the best way to enjoy snus!
Are “nicotine pouches” the same thing as snus?
I wanted to wrap up with something that I think is important to talk about, especially for snus enthusiasts like myself. Nicotine pouches are getting popular, and I see a lot of people calling them snus. In fact, some stores are even calling them “White Snus”. Thankfully, SnusExpress isn’t doing that. But, the most important part of this is this: nicotine pouches are not snus. They are nicotine pouches. Snus is a product that contains tobacco. Nicotine pouches do not contain tobacco. They are two completely different products. But, before we wrapped up, I did want to clarify that!
The Bottom Line
And there you have it, everything you could possibly want to know (and more) about snus! Hopefully this will clarify a lot of the common questions out there, and help put you on the right path to snus enjoyment! So, grab a can or two of snus, or more, and dive into the world of Swedish Snus! I’ve been a citizen of Snusland for 15 years myself, and I’ve been enjoying every minute of it.
