I noticed this with some brands. Some of the Toques that I have purchased in the past have had a slight ammonia scent to it, if you let it air out over night it tends to eliminate it.
I noticed this with some brands. Some of the Toques that I have purchased in the past have had a slight ammonia scent to it, if you let it air out over night it tends to eliminate it.
Same here with Toque in economy bags. I just put enough for the day in my container and leave the lid off for a bit. Matter of fact two bags I just opened and the 25g tin had hints but not enough to be a bother.
I recently re opened a tin of toque cheery originally opened over a year ago and im getting quite a strong paraffin smell to it is this normal for a tin of this age. It was just stored in original tin in a drawer.
I recently re opened a tin of toque cheery originally opened over a year ago and im getting quite a strong paraffin smell to it is this normal for a tin of this age. It was just stored in original tin in a drawer.
Hmm, toque cheery? sounds like something i could enjoy! whats in it, other than happiness, joy and paraffin? 
@Firestarter0ā very good 
I may just have to dissent on this particular issue. I see no way in which the natural fermentation of powdered tobacco would produce ammonia gas in your snuff tin. Methane, maybe. Ammonia - no. I contend that what we are smelling is in all probability the common tobacco additive ammonium carbonate (āsmelling saltsā). It is easy to mistake the smelling salts āhitā for a supposed ānicotine hitā - which probably does not exist at all. The ammonium carbonate eventually decomposes into ammonium bicarbonate and ammonia gas - an unopened snuff-tin stored for a long duration would thus have more ammonia gas present than a fresh tin. But this ammonia is not of natural origin. The idea of adding ammonium carbonate to tobacco is to raise the pH, thereby increasing the total amount of freebase nicotine delivered to the addict. Without this ammonium carbonate additive, snuffs would apparently deliver zero nicotine, any freebase nicotine naturally present having been destroyed in the curing and manufacturing processes. Ammonia and other chemical base tobacco additives and cigarette nicotine delivery: Issues and research needs Nicotine Tob Res (2004) 6 (2): 199-205.
@Hapax I gotta disagree with you on every point here; tobacco fermentation in basic conditions produces lots of ammonia: http://aem.asm.org/content/73/3/825.full Often in snuff-making tobacco which has already undergone this fermentation is then salted with sodium bicarb and sodium carbonate (perhaps rarely ammonium carbonate, not sure if they still do these days) and undergoes a second fermentation for sometimes months or years. Also snuff definitely provides a nicotine hit, though new users often donāt absorb much if any nicotine from it. This was established in a British study. Novice and occasional snuffers donāt absorb much nicotine but a regular user absorbs as much as a smoker. Hard to say why, maybe the nose adjusts, maybe regular users use much larger pinches too. Multi-dose snuffing caused nicotine levels to rise higher than had been seen in even chain-smokers, at least according to the researchers. If you donāt think snuff gives nicotine try doing two big piles of Dholakia White off the back of your hand first thing in the morning!
1 Like
Some manufacturers - SG for example - use an ammonia and potash liquor after the flour is milled to inhibit mould growth. This will certainly add to the ammonia levels of the finished snuff. I donāt use ammonia in Abraxas snuffs but the moist snuffs, such as Cerise and PBS Coarse, will develop some in the jar from a slight ongoing fermentation, which is natural. I donāt have access to any commercial recipes other than my own but I would imagine the ammonia smell commonly found in snuffs with any degree of moisture arises from a combination of these factors. My methodology is afungal rather than anti-fungal which is why I recommend keeping the jars tightly closed and only decanting using a clean implement.
1 Like
At first, when I started opening the tins, I disliked that smell intensely. But I started snuffing and now itās part of the charm. In fact, Iāve grown to love it over the past month. But now Iām taking larger pinches, the underlying tobacco taste comes through, and I love that as well. Warming burn first, then taste for the next however long.
1 Like
I noticed light paraffin from my Toque Apricot. Nothing bad and something I expected from a review I saw, but its there. This is a new supply and I have not aired it much so I donāt know if it will dissipate. No worries if it doesnāt though.
I love the ammonia in snuff, Ntsu black with the yellow lid is famous for its ammonia and it kicks harder than a horse on steroids, if I donāt get the ammonia smell in my snuff Iām not happy, but Iāll try any snuff that gives me a mind numbing buzzzzzzz.
I hated it at first and now have come to love it and miss it when it dissipates.
When I add snuff to my snuffbox, if I smell ammonia I air my snuffbox. Some people donāt mind the smell or even like it, but I donāt like it at all. Ammonia does interfere with the scent of the snuff.
I was getting ready to sample my newly acquired WoS Jasmine and boy oā boy does it have an uber strong ammonia smell! Its so strong it overpowers it to the point of masking any flavoring/scent of the tobacco base or jasmine. Definitely going to air this one out for a while.
why do they have ammonia for the same reason your pee does. Because it is the byproduct of certain organic components being broken down. Fermentation is controlled spoilage. Yes I hate the ammonia smell and it does prevent the enjoyment of the tobacco and essential oil smells.
bob has it right ammonia is a byproduct of decomposition as anyone with a fish tank knows, just like alcohol is a byproduct of plant decomposition ( if Iām not mistaken the bacteria that eat sugars create alcohol). Fermentation is merely just controlled decomposition.
I deifinatly smell the ammonia smell in some snuffs more than others. If Iām not mistaking I find it to be more true in a the few round tins of English snuffs that I had. I also think that it disappears with time but its very confusing because many snuffs have a few different aromas to begin with. So it hard to pin point what is which. Iām also wondering my self if this is a good sign actually? Iāve heard many times with hand rolled cigars that if it has an ammonia smell it is most likely a cigar that hasnāt had time to age yet. So maybe its a sign that the snuff is fresh? Any one know? And would you uncover a 20g tin for an gour to air out or would you take off a snuff box full etc. And let that sit in open air for a while? How would you air out the ammonia smell? Iām asking because I just opened a fresh tin. Its great but the I do feel an ammonia aroma on the top of all. I personally donāt like it.
@Friendlyman It is indeed a sign that the snuff is fresh and that is a good thing with snuff. How you get rid of that with a fresh tin is really up to you and how quickly you are likely to go through a 20g tin but personally I would take what I need and put it in my snuff box and leave that to air as long as is needed. The remainder of the tin I would empty into a glass jar and seal it tightly to maintain the freshness.
I am very sensitive to the ammonia smell, it makes me kind of sick. I like to leave a tin by an open window with the top off and air it out. Just be sure itās not windy out
I usually decanter my snuff when a open a new tin into small glass jelly jars. To do this I pour the tin out on to wax paper, let stand for a few hours and then pour into the glass jar. Help lessen the smell.