I have a hundred grams of an Indian Madras snuff, Umbrella brand, which is a ghee-based snuff. Of course, schmalzers also use oil. So, what does adding oil to a snuff do to it? Does it facilitate or hinder the absorption of nicotine? Does it change the flavor or scent? For example, if you took a snuff like Toque Quit and blended in a small amount of ghee or mineral oil, how would it be different?
It is moist then. Schmalz literally means lard, but schmalzlers made with lard would last for a week or two before it molds. So better use oil than lard.
@Viertal, that makes sense. But how would it be different from just adding water?
@JakartaBoy, I’m just guessing but I think it’s because water evaporates much faster, so the oil-based snuff has a longer shelf life
Yes, its just a moistening agent. English snuffs are mostly water based. German snuffs are mostly oil based. Indian ones seem to be either. Some use both. Water indeed dries out quicker, which is why it is imperative that water moistened snuffs be kept airtight (not in those evil tap boxes!) Oh, and as to changing flavor or scent, yes, I suppose. Its part of the great variety that is snuff!
Which oil to use to increase the shelf life of snuff?
schmalzlerfranzl The above say they use fat, but i get the feeling its more than likely a lost in translation thing. poeschl Says they use rapeseed oil.
@indiansnuff rapeseed oil how much say with a kilo of snuff?
I wouldn’t know but i would guess its not going to be a lot. Try taking a bit of snuff and adding it drop by drop until you like it 
Dont add it straight to the 1kg i would hate it for it to all go wrong and you to loose that much snuff
@shalimarisl if its stored airtight you shouldn’t need to add anything anyway
@shalimarisl the most common is the Weißöl - Paraffinum liquidum. You can check it out at http://service.ble.de/tabakerzeugnisse/index2.php?detail\_id=104976&site\_key=153&stichw\_suche=sternecker&zeilenzahl\_zaehler=5 this is a Sternecker Echt Fresko, but there you can check what are all Germany snuffs made of
oiled Indian snuffs smell to me strongly of mineral oil.
@Viertel based on that it does seem most use paraffin and some use a bit of Propylene Glycol