I have to start by thanking Herr Sternecker for changing my opinion about German snuffs. I recently purchased a 100g bag of Sternecker Fresko ungefettet, and I’m very pleased with the result. That’s more than I could say about my first German Snuff Experience (GSE). A while back, I had purchased a snuff by a certain German company which shall remain nameless (but the name of which may or may not have begun with P) - an attractive tin containing a snuff which proved to be the least satisfying thing I have ever had up my nose, hydrogen peroxide and a spider excepted. The resultant shock of this GSE made me resolve to stick to English and Dutch snuffs in the future… However, on reading that German law forbade perishable oils in snuffs, forcing manufacturers to use mineral oils - which contain all kinds of potentially toxic hydrocarbons - I started to think that these foul-smelling mineral oils had had a large part to play in my difficult first GSE, and maybe I had done proper German snuff a disservice. Accordingly, I thought I would give Sternecker’s Fresko ungefettet a chance, and I’m very glad I did so. The raw snuff is quite unpleasant and acrid, so I mixed it with Indian ghee at a 7:1 ratio, and it changed in character completely, becoming very easy to take with a lovely buttery fragrance and a rich tobacco undertone umarred by the acrid smell of the raw product… I did wonder if the ghee could also help extract any alkaloids in the tobacco - maybe it’s my imagination, but I always feel quite wasted when I do a lot of it. I can’t imagine it being as good with lard (let alone mineral oil), so anyone who tried this with lard and wasn’t that impressed might consider a follow-up experiment with ghee (or any equivalent clarified butter). I’m also keen to try it with some of my favourite oils - Hemp and Sesame, for example; I see no reason why those combinations wouldn’t work. I have to give Sternecker Fresko ungefettet top marks, if only because it provides a non-toxic alternative to the mass of mineral oil Schmaltzlers out there. And at EUR 5.40 for 100g, it’s a bargain.
Thanks for the report. I’ve been curious too try this for quite some time, How did you mix it, and is the result similarly fluffy as your typical Schmalzler?
@Jari_T, I liquefied the ghee, so it was no problem mixing it into a bowl of snuff with a spoon. I had initially expected the mixed snuff to be heavy and cloying - but it turned out to be, in fact, exactly the opposite. The result is fluffy, light in texture, darker and much less dense than the raw snuff. It is also most pleasant to take, producing a cool sensation in the nose on account of the ghee. Ghee has a rich, buttery, almost caramel flavour which is instantly appealing - and the few other people I have so far offered it to have wholeheartedly agreed. I am certainly no Schmalzler expert, so I don’t really know what they are supposed to be like at their best - but I am in no hurry to try any mineral oil Schmalzler after this.
@Hapax , thanks for your answer. That sounds really good, making a fresh batch on occasion. I will certainly try this myself.
Really pleasantly surprised by this one. Floral but with a great spicy kick. Basically F&T Morroco with SIx Photo Cheeta (and some Best SP and Grand Cairo but mainly the first two) Finally found a brilliant use for my Cheeta!
I would think a spider in your nose might be satisfying if you had a fly up there that needed catching 
Anyway, I had good luck with lard on this one. It was very satisfying. As a non-dairy person, ghee and butterschmaltz are out for me. However, do give the other schmalzlers a try, as there is some significant variety to them and some are quite amazing. The mineral oil in them is food grade and the Germans are quite strict about that sort of thing, so I think they are pretty safe.
Well, I gave a 50g of Echt Fresko to my girlfriend last month because It just wasn’t very pleasant to snort. She was pretty drunk and seemed to like it… But its probably just sitting at her house as she doesn’t snuff much any more. So I may grab it, if it is. When i searched for Sternecker Fresko ungefettet, all the images and links I looked at showed the Echt Fresko. Are they the same or similar? If so it sounds like it would be interesting to try. Thanks!
@coreymillia the ungefettet means ungreased. The snuffs are the same except the oil is already in the regular version. The ungefettet is for do-it-yourselfers who want to add their own schmaltz or other grease.
Just looked on the Mister Snuff site. Both versions are available. Note to @MrSnuff I note the absence of the regular Fresko (not either version of the Echt Fresko). Temporarily out of stock or an accidental omission? That’s a good one too.
@Xander Good to know… Thanks for the info!
@Hapax, I would like to know which German snuff you tested. At least for me, most of the Pöschl snuffs are totally crap and I’ve turned my head away from them even though they are nearly the only ones to buy here locally. I’m not surprised of your experience. However, Pöschl schmalzlers are totally different thing, so I recommend not to turn yourself away of the limited supply of them. Thanks for the review. I have to test it myself some day.
where can one order the ungeffetet in the USA?