← All recipes
Hand-ground Virginia leaf snuff
From Humppa on the Snuffhouse forum, 2020
A first homemade batch, made from orange Virginia leaf ground by hand in a mortar. A 20 g batch takes about an hour, and most of that is grinding.
0 of 4 steps done
You'll need Tick as you go
Equipment
Digital scalesFor weighing tobacco, alkalis and salt accurately, which matters most when you're working in small batches.Mortar and pestleFor grinding small amounts by hand, crushing salt and alkalis to a fine dust, and working scent or moisture evenly into snuff.Mixing bowlFor stirring liquids into ground tobacco and letting it sit while it takes up moisture.Airtight jarsFor resting snuff while it develops, and for storing it afterwards.GlovesFor handling alkalis such as sodium carbonate (soda ash), potash and slaked lime.
Method
Rest time
A few days, so the sodium carbonate can do its work.
Tasting notes
The Virginia stays strong but takes on a darker edge, with a smell close to Neffa Ifrikia.
Notes
Scales that read to 0.01 g help here. The grind came out a bit coarse, so keep grinding longer than feels necessary. Wear gloves when you handle sodium carbonate.