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Swedish snus is a moist tobacco product that is placed under the upper lip. Its main ingredients are tobacco, salt and water. Unique mixtures of many types of tobacco, mixed with different aroma and taste additives, assure that every brand has its own special taste and character. The tobacco that is used today is usually air cured. It is mainly purchased from farms in North and South America as well as Asia. In the production process, the tobacco is ground and mixed with other ingredients. The mixture is pasteurised in a heat treatment process that complies with the Swedish food manufacture laws. After a couple of days the snus is ready, and is then chilled before it moves on to packing. Snus is sold in two major forms: loose and portion. The portioned snus is made by guiding prepared portions of snus into a 'stocking' made up of cellulose fibre. The portions are sealed and then cut. The portion snus is made in four forms: normal, maxi, mini and minidry. The difference between these four is both in size and water content. The loose snus is packed in paper cans, coated with paraffin, while portion snus, that is more sensitive to dehydration, is packed in plastic cans. When the snus is packed, it is kept in a cold storage for a couple of days, before it is shipped out to the trade. This is done so the snus may cure and reach the right flavour. The two most important parts in the manufacturing process, and that which distinguishes Swedish snus from e.g. American 'snuff' is the use of air cured tobacco and the pasteurisation process. This manufacturing process is so unique that it is patented. The type of snus that is produced according to this method is marked with the sign GothiaTek. In Sweden this type of snus is classed as food. |
  
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