Hi just received my very prompt delivery of 100g of Thai Thuoc Lao tobacco from Toque. Being as impatient as I am I just ground up a small amount in my Pestle and Mortar for 5 mins or so, sieved it to remove the few larger bits that wouldn’t grind, took a pinch and wow! Very aromatic lingering tobacco scent, noticable nicotine with no burn, and very little made it to my throat if any. Why anyone would want to add other aromas to it I don’t know, it is just as the tobacconist’s used to smell like when I was growing up. 5g of it is sitting in an empty portion snus can, with some damp tissue paper in the ashtray lid with a few holes to add a little moisture to the snuff (homemade humidor - think thats the word. Can’t claim credit for the idea of the snus can humidor, thanks to whoever posted it on the board). Going to leave it a few days to settle, but has opened my eyes to plain tobacco snuff. Has anyone else got any Thuoc Lao snuff tips to share. Also buying tobacco like this from Toque is great haven’t seen it anywhere else on my internet snuff travels. Got another string to my stopping smoking bow, very pleasantly surprised!
Also can anyone advise me on the best way to store the Leaf Tobacco? 100g is a hell of a lot of snuff to get through for me as I snus as well, so would like to know how best to preserve the flavour/ nicotine until I am ready to make up another batch.
Steve, if it was mine, I would grind all the tobacco. Your snuff will mature with time and become better and better. That’s what I’ve done with my Rustica and I can assure you it’s worth the trouble of grinding all of it.
Ok so I am going to wait until I have some empty snus containers to put all that snuff in, but in the meanwhile I ground and rehydrated 10g (the fine grind swelled to very coarse) and left to settle, then ground and sieved, and ground and sieved, and ground and sieved again another 15g (leaf not stalk), added about 1/10 g of bicarb, then hydrated and left for about 3 days. These were batch one and batch two. The bicarb has added a bit of bite to batch 2, but not too much (I am not a seasoned snuffer so it is to my tase). Also the finer grind is apparent. Batch 2 also has a better aroma for me, more complex than batch 1. All in all, the lesson to be learned is that once ground and moisture is added, the snuff will swell, so when you think you have ground enough, grind it sme more. Also batch 2 was dried at low temp (50C for 2 hrs), batch 1 was dried at 110C for around 1 hr. Both were crispy dry to ease grinding, although the aroma of batch 2 is more fragrant. I presume I drove off less of the volatile oils at the lower temp. All in all a good introduction to the kitchen chemistry of homemade snuff for me anyway!
Warning; Snus containers are not air tight. See “how to store snuff” for other ideas.
Ok need to invest in some small airtight containers I’ll check out TK Max kitchen department see what they have in the way of glass storage boxes, possibly the ones used for herbs in the kitchen
I think I may buy a spice wheel and substitute the herbs for different snuffs. It’d look cool on the wall too, proper talking point. Also re the Thuoc Lao snuff, anyone come up with any suggestions for a name? Its a pure tobacco experience without the need to adulterate it with other aromas, so something representing its complex leather, smoke and tobacco aroma would be good
“Old Saigon”
China White
Steve, I use empty coffee jars. No need to spend money on jars/containers.
The postman just brought me a sample of this from stevematthews79. I must say it is very nice! I agree that it needs no further flavouring. It’s perfect as it is. Thanks Steve! Now I can see I may have to buy some of the Thuoc Lao tobacco from Toque to experiment for myself…
Glad you like it, I’ll see in the future about sending a few samples out get a broader concensus on it. I took some of Batch 2 and mixed 50/50 with Hedges L260, not to sure about this one, the smoky, leathery smell competes with the menthol and it all gets a bit muddy. I’ll stick to playing around with a little more Bicarb in batch 2, and let it settle for a few weeks and see where it goes from here…
Any name suggestion’s Tony now you’ve tried it?
Also, can anyone else let me know where to buy whole leaf tobacco like this for further experiments, I know I’m repeating myself but just hoping someone will know.
I quite like Xander’s suggestion of Old Saigon. (edited to correct attribution)
Sounds good to me, just had a pinch and it does fit 
Old Saigon. Gets my Vote, I like the Sound of It, just floats of the mouth.
old paris old saigon makes lots sense
This is the one leaf that I thought needed no further work, although a little PH adjustment really makes it sing!
I’m going to have to go with “Old Saigon”