Indian Snuff post - from India - For beginners and advanced - a newbie's journey

Well, I guess there’s a hope that snuff will become more widely used and accepted in the West, perhaps even “cool”, and that Indians will pick up on it and revive their own traditions. Do you get a lot of people vaping over there? All the rage in Jakarta amongst the young middle class kids!

1 Like

Well vaping is not that much used, partially since it is not legal in my state. Different states have their own prohibited sales agenda on tobacco and such products and the state I live in is one of them. The other reason people don’t vape much is that cigarettes are more easily available. In a 1 km radius in a residential or office area there would be close to 5-8 vendors selling cigarettes. Buy yes, I haven’t seen such scarcity of any other product as I have seen of snuff in and around my area - ironically.

1 Like

@newbiesnuffer do you have any main concerns from ordering from an online supplier like MrSnuff or Toque? From my understanding these two companies ship to almost anywhere! They are reliable and very trustworthy I have never had an issue with either of them.

2 Likes

It is crazy how a harmful use of tobacco trumps safer ways in sales and popularity. I’m the same generation as you @newbiesnuffer - 36. In the UK most people our age don’t what it is, and screw up their noses when they find out (whilst smoking their toxic cigarettes). You have to chuckle at the irony. Though Aamon makes a good point. Online snuff distributors provide an excellent international service.

1 Like

@Aamon, it would a shame for someone in India to have to order Indian snuff from the UK! Apart from anything else, from what I saw of the prices of Indian snuff in Tibet, it would be dirt cheap in India. Dave has to add the cost of getting it to UK, then processing it at his warehouse, then shipping it back to India. There would have to be a better way.

2 Likes

@JakartaBoy I agree you make a fine point about Indian snuffs. Although on the other hand being able to try other manufactures from around the world and paying a little extra, is a small price to pay for access to other wonderful snuffs.

@Nulliverse - I agree.

@Aamon and @JakartaBoy - I agree with both of you. While its wonky to think I’ll order Indian snuffs via the UK, I can definitely try to get some other ones which people rave about. I’d love to try some international brands as well :slight_smile:

The issue is that I don’t prefer dealing in credit cards (dont have one as of now) and I’ll have to check whether they accept net banking from Indian Banks. I’ll check out whats possible. 

Also, for Indian consumers buying from some place like Mr. Snuff in which I have to directly convert rupees to pounds or dollars, it comes to a HUGE (yes, in caps kinda huge) amount which is not justified for the quantity we get (the price vs value vs currency conversion argument).

But my woes (for a while) are gone since my samplers of the range of Six photo have arrived! I’ll let everyone know how it goes. Kindly keep this thread alive. 

4 Likes

Excellent @newbiesnuffer! Looking forward to your impressions.

1 Like

@newbiesnuffer Perhaps there is a business opportunity in this for you. Have you thought of becoming a dealer for Indian snuff manufacturers?

2 Likes

@JosephJames, I don’t know what Indian consumers are like with online shopping, but an Internet based business would be interesting, particularly if you could export from India to consumers abroad. There must be other Indians who’d like to access snuff. Even if it’s a tiny percent of one billion people, it wouldn’t be a bad market. Add the enthusiasts from abroad, and you might have a business.

2 Likes

Well, I noticed he cannot get snuff even though there are manufacturers in India. Sounds like a business opportunity to me.

2 Likes

USA.

 Black snuffs are about the easiest Dholakia Taj. 41 Photo himtaj , 6 Photo Anarkali, Kailash, Motia, and Special. all the Dholakia; Wow ,Temptation And Blast are pretty easy. Dholakia classic range are a bit harder. Sparrow is a challenge and the whites are most challenging and most rewarding.

2 Likes

@basement_shaman - Nice perspective. I too find the black snuffs easiest to take and more flavorful which I love. Maybe eventually I will like the harder variety. 

@JosephJames - I so wish I could - it would help me and others. Maybe I would if I would be independently doing my own thing somewhere. But since I am at a workplace, the ethics issue prevent me from taking anything up with a commercial advantage. Plus the time concern. As of now, I’d be happy getting all the access as a consumer and stock up :slight_smile:

Great comments all around. I concur. I also have the Horse Joshi, Sugandsahar Rose, and a couple whose names I can’t recall. My favorites are 6 Photo Kailish, Dholakia Taj, and Motia. I enjoy them all at one time or another. Thats great that you ordered direct from 6Photo. I Googled Indian snuff manufacturers once, and saw about 15 different companies pop up. Some had websites, others did not. None of them had shopping carts, sadly. I can only imagine that there are numerous brands that we never will get the chance to sample. But you’re off to a good start at any rate. You might like to try some of the snuffs mentioned in this thread.

Good thread @ newbiesnuffer

I am from Coimbatore, S. India. Dear Vikas of sixphoto kindly sent an assortment of his snuffs free of cost when I messaged him. Our interaction was mostly through message feature in this forum. Some of it ( I think he wont mind me sharing this in the forum)-

“I am from Tamilnadu. We used to get a great variety of snuffs about 10 years back. But now only DS and MS brands are available. I think the habit is dying. I would like to try out your different snuff products very much. Can you make it available in Tamilnadu or at at least can you arrange to mail me a box or two? I am willing to pay for the cost of the product and shipment. Hope to hear from you soon.”

"Thanks for writing to me.I appreciate your interest in our products.

Please send me your postal address.I shall be glad to send you a free sample box containing an assortment of different snuffs in 8 g packing."

He wanted to know more about the snuff culture in my state in general and my snuff use in particular.

1 Like

Continuation:

"Right now in Coimbatore, the only brand available is DS snuff. I have been snuffing on and off for more that 20 years. Started off with Umbrella snuff, a dark not so fine milled snuff. Then after trying several brands (were available then!) like MS, NC, etc and several unbranded snuffs, stuck with TAS. Gradually stopped snuff went on to other ways of taking nic, like smoking and chewing tobacco. Always had a tin lying around. Started snuffing last year, scoured Chennai for TAS, alas couldn’t find any. Settled for the next best- DS. I get my snuff from the wholesale shop in Coimbatore. They have two varieties, a light coloured strong snuff and a darkish mild, oily snuff. The dark snuff tastes like how Umbrella snuff tasted. I mix one portion of the dark one with three portions lighter one for a good balance of taste and strength but still don’t get a proper dose of nicotine as I used to. 

In Tamilnadu like elsewhere, the habit is dying. Thats why we have only one or two players in the scene. The age group of 50+ are the major consumers. Some of my colleagues have taken up the habit after seeing me take, but unfortunately they have not had the variety that I’ve had."

"Your post made interesting reading.It is amazing to find such interest and knowledge in snuff outside of industry circle.Maybe because you have travelled a lot,  Travel certainly enriches ones life .

It was also heartening to know that people down south are still interested in snuff, we have a few dealers in all southern states .The sale has been steady but nothing spectacular.I agree that snuff has not grown as well as khaini and gutka ,maybe its time will come.

Regarding promotion of snuff outside India, you would be surprised to know that a lot of Madras snuff (NC,DS,etc) is exported to China and the USA every year."

"Ha ha travel does that. I am fascinated with tobacco use and am an avid user myself. I also like to experiment with various products. 

Never thought you are from Bathinda. Your parcel may reach tomorrow or the day after. Will give you candid feedback.

Never thought you had dealers down here. Probably North Karnataka and AP. I observed many using dentifrice and snuff tobacco there. 

I favour clean strong pure tobacco, hence, my fascination for TAS, Hope you have included your Natural Snuff. Remember having some perfumed black snuff long back. Didn’t try again.

But again your flavoured ones may surprise me! 

Nice to know NC and DS is enjoyed abroad. NC is a very good product. Very close to TAS. Wish DS had a finer grind.  Don’t get NC here though. Market forces and the manufacturer-trader cabal are keeping them off the shelves. A big loss to the industry as a whole I’d say."

Continuation: 

“Hi Gokul !
Did you get the sample box ?
I’m eager to have a South Indian perspective on our products .
And Best wishes for the new year !”

 Continuation:

"After reading and viewing reviews on Snuffhouse and other forums, I was eager to try out the North Indian snuffs. Was astonished at how popular it was abroad!

Was eager to try out the White Elephant for its nicotine hit and burn after my acquaintance, a long time snuffer told me. 

I discovered this awesome portal dedicated to snuff tobacco. After lurking for a long time, I decided to become a member. Then messaged some Indian snuff exporters. Was very happy when you sent an assortment of your top products. Started off with no 66 medicated, was awesome!!! 

Super Kailash and Anarkali were good. Cheeta was disappointing. Your curry is ok, but…

I like my snuff tobacco to be unscented. As I mentioned earlier in my Whatsapp message. 

This also was the sentiment expressed by a handful of people whom I gave your samples. All liked your medicated no 66 and no 666. No 666 made my nose raw!

My personal observations-

  • The nicotine hit is different, with a nose full of Cheeta, I find the mild scent irritating and after some time a lingering taste of lime/chuna(in Hindi). The buzz is tingling but unpleasant. Tried it many times, but just couldn’t develop a taste for the Cheeta. The forum spoke about the WE having fishy scent, was thinking that. Honest unflavoured Cheeta is what I am hankering for now!

  • Your medicated No 66! Incredible. Love it. Awesome balance in scents. Prefer it to medicated No 666. Would have a pinch or two a day. The nicotine is imperceptible.

  • Miss TAS, but the DS I get here, with my combo: 1 black/ 3 golden is manna for me. The black is ghee roasted mild stuff which adds flavour without reducing the heat! Awesome nutty tobacco flavour, but could do better in the nicotine department. As of now thats my go to snuff. 

This I think is the universal taste of Tamilnadu snuffers. 

Thank you for asking my opinion, Vikas ji,"

4 Likes

Well sorry for flooding the page, I thought this would be apt in this forum. Vikas is a nice bloke and took my rather candid feedback like a good sport that he is.