Christmas snus ... attempt 1

[Burnsey]

18 drops + 1/2 t in approx one pint is a lot, I hope it mellows for you. (disclaimer - I know nothing.)

[GoVegan]

2014. No Kardus this year.

Apparently SM is gearing up for something big. Chad was trumpeting about it on his blog.

Thanks for the update. It's not bad news really, I might have the extra cash to buy a tin of this by the end of 2014.

[whalen]

Don't forget 7 drops of Reindeer smegma!

[Burnsey]

Don't forget 7 drops of Reindeer smegma!

Ya, squeezy, that alone would have created a desirable snus.........:-D

[crullers]

Hey squeezy, what do you use to keep a constant low temperature over a long period of time? Also, did you consider adding a bit of clove flavouring to your Christmas snus? It almost seems like a default flavouring for Christmas but I imagine it could be overdone easily.

[squeezyjohn]

18 drops + 1/2 t in approx one pint is a lot, I hope it mellows for you. (disclaimer - I know nothing.)

Actually for most essential oils it would be about right ... and you can hardly taste the orange or vanilla - it's the ginger and cinnamon which are much more potent oils than most I use for snus flavouring.

[squeezyjohn]

Hey squeezy, what do you use to keep a constant low temperature over a long period of time? Also, did you consider adding a bit of clove flavouring to your Christmas snus? It almost seems like a default flavouring for Christmas but I imagine it could be overdone easily.

The method is known as the crockpot method invented by Justintempler who used to frequent this forum and inspired me to make and grow my own (look up his posts - they are amazing)

Basically it's the cheapest crock-pot/slow cooker you can get (£9.99) coupled with this device - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261327648866

The device is a PID unit which plugs in to the electric supply - and has it's own plug socket on it, a waterproof temperature probe and a LCD display. Essentially you just fill the crock-pot with water and plug it in to the PID, then you put the temperature probe in the water and set the temperature you want to maintain. The PID will stop the electricity supply when it goes over the temperature set - and turn it back on when it drops below.

You can also use this kind of set-up for a very cheap sous-vide machine to cook the perfect ribs!

Clove would be a great flavour additive! I think that this batch has taught me a lot about creating this very different kind of flavour in a snus. From what I tasted before I added the oils and essences it was the most amazing thing in the world - you could taste the tobacco and the brandy perfectly and the combination was cakey, warming and aromatic and definitely tasted of dried fruits.

So my next batch will NOT use any flavouring oils. Instead I will prepare the brandy by steeping whole spices in it first, probably cinnamon, nutmeg and clove along with a small piece of vanilla pod and orange zest. Essential oils are very "in your face" kind of flavours whereas if I add them at the start infused in the brandy they will be much more like they are used in cooking.

I think I may just make an unadulterated brandy version too as that was delicious in itself.

[crullers]

The method is known as the crockpot method invented by Justintempler who used to frequent this forum and inspired me to make and grow my own (look up his posts - they are amazing)

Basically it's the cheapest crock-pot/slow cooker you can get (£9.99) coupled with this device - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261327648866

Thanks, one more item for the Christmas list!