Couple of newbie questions :)

[Parasiteone]

So my first post ive ordered snus a few times already. always portioned. Is Loose snus any different in terms of feel and experience or is it the same just different preparation My favorite so far is Göteborg Rape - portion snus, and least favorite was Wise Citrus / Menthol which i found absolutely lacking in any flavor at all. Here is my order put in last week any comments or recommendations in terms of future orders?

Ordered 1 of each and two of the goteborg since i loved the original! Rest are all new to me thought ide pick a few randoms

Göteborgs Rapé White Portion
Nordströmmen Christmas Snus Portion
Skruf Portion
Elixyr Power Energy portion
Göteborgs Rapé No2 Portion
Phantom Classic
Phantom Classic Blue Portion

[Tony]

Re: Couple of newbie questions

always portioned. Is Loose snus any different in terms of feel and experience

YES! Los is more comfortable and more controllable. More nic hit, make it bigger, less make it smaller. For a rush of flavor and nic do the pinch, for a more subtle but complex flavor and slower and longer nic release make it tighter. More comfortable because there is no tea bag. Also los is generally cheaper and in the 45-50 G range instead of 24 G of the more expensive portions.

As for your orders...

Skruf; an Skruf is very good IMO. It is very high quality and the bag material is some of the best around. Try the Stark if you are quitting smoking.

V2; I despise the portions but find the los to be good. Doesn't mean you won't like it.

GR#2; I thought this was to sweet to use constantly. Good for a dessert snus though.

Elixyr; Never had it but I believe Sagedil is a big fan?

Get a couple cans of los, Roda Lacket, GR, Ettan, and Skruf are all excellent and pretty easy to bake. Consider a pris master also, they are only a couple bucks.

[Tony]

Also Zero has a excellent video on hand baking

http://www.snuson.com/viewtopic.php?t=677

[Parasiteone]

Watched the video seems simple enough! My next order ill try some loose snus just to change things a little bit!

I hear good things about both Ettan and Roda Lacket brand so I may try both.

One more newb question lol I stored mine in my desk and near the end it got rather dry :S whats better. Fridge or freezer.. or something else all together! thanks

[Tony]

When my snus comes in I toss it in the freezer. I take out what I'm using and keep it in the fridge as much as possible. Snus is meant to be kept cold but I don't mind it warm. If it dries out, a few drops of water and a good shake usually takes care of it.

[Parasiteone]

Thanks a lot for the tips looking forward to expanding my snus knowledge and experience with the loose portions soon!

[snusbear1]

There is a definite difference in taste/saltiness/"burn"/mouthfeel between loose and portion. The following analysis of General loose vs. portion (.pdf file) is instructive:

http://www.infra.kth.se/fms/utbildni...20-%20Snus.pdf

From that link (starting page 7) you'll note the following (at least regarding this particular brand, but it's representative I think):
1) Loose is more moist than portion: 53% water and 7.6% humectants for loose, vs. 49% water and 7.1% humectants for portion.
2) Loose is saltier than portion: 5% table salt for loose vs. 3% table salt for portion.
3) Loose is more full-flavored than portion: 1% food flavoring for loose vs. 0.5% food flavoring for portion.
4) Loose is more alkaline than portion, resulting in a faster nicotine uptake: 3.4% sodium carbonate for loose vs. 2.4% sodium carbonate for portion.

I started with portions only and kept at it for a long time, but recently I've begun my love affair with loose snus, and believe me there's just no comparison. Loose is superior in every respect EXCEPT convenience / appropriateness at work, etc. I still take portions with me to work when dealing with customers, talking on the phone, etc., but when I'm home, it's loose all the way! Last night I set down my Prismaster and tried my first "farmer pinch," and it wasn't nearly as difficult or messy as I thought it would be.

[Parasiteone]

Thanks snugbear1 That certainly puts things into perspective! Sounds like much more intense of an experience to try the loose stuff. More flavor and sensation than the portion :shock:

[spirit72]

Thanks snugbear1 That certainly puts things into perspective! Sounds like much more intense of an experience to try the loose stuff. More flavor and sensation than the portion :shock:

Someone here once compared portions and lös as being the difference between having sex with a condom on as opposed to having it without one.

I pretty much concur.

[Parasiteone]

Thanks snugbear1 That certainly puts things into perspective! Sounds like much more intense of an experience to try the loose stuff. More flavor and sensation than the portion :shock:

Someone here once compared portions and lös as being the difference between having sex with a condom on as opposed to having it without one.

I pretty much concur.

LOL if you put it that way then Loose is definitely the way to go it seems :P

[RobsanX]

I tried los a few times. I liked the flavor, but the rest of the ritual was too much hassle for me... Definitely start off with one can, and go from there...

[jamesstew]

I love los but females don't care for it and neither does the workplace so I tend to do it mostly at home. Another problem I have is it is much more abrasive to my gums in the long term. It feels really comfortable at first but tends to dry them out a bit too much after long term usage. Anyway, there's nothing better IMO than Gotlandssnus Gul los after a long day at work. I've never had difficulty baking it although it is a bit crumbly, but it stays together nicely once placed.

[Gowrie]

I love los but females don't care for it and neither does the workplace so I tend to do it mostly at home. Another problem I have is it is much more abrasive to my gums in the long term. It feels really comfortable at first but tends to dry them out a bit too much after long term usage.

As well the los sticks between my upper teeth and can only be removed by brushing. Rinsing alone doesn't work. Having that packed in there all day is bad news for the teeth.
I'm going to portions during the day. In the evenings I mostly smoke my pipe.
Hoping the Gotlands portions, when they arrive, are as tasty as the los.

Good luck to you.

[Zero]

With practice you can keep the snus out of your teeth.

Horrible picture thread :

http://www.snuson.com/viewtopic.php?t=1439

[Gowrie]

Thanks for the pic. (I think :shock: .) I have a few tins left so will have a go.