How to Make Dipping Tobacco

When talking about tobacco, it’s impossible to ignore smokeless tobacco products since they have been in production for decades already. As a matter of fact, they have been co-existing with cigarettes, cigars, and other combustible tobacco products.

If you are wondering why they exist, the answer is very simple. You see, combustible tobacco requires smoke to be able to deliver nicotine and other content to one’s body. It is not only harmful to the tobacco users themselves but also to the people surrounding them. Smokeless tobacco like dipping tobacco, on the other hand, doesn’t produce any smoke. Sure, they release some tobacco spit or juice, but it won’t harm those who are around the users of said tobacco.

As discussed, one type of smokeless tobacco you can use today is dipping tobacco. It is often consumed by placing it between the lip or cheek and gum. While many brands of dip tobacco are available today, they can sometimes cost you a lot of money. Luckily, with the right ingredients and supplies, you can somehow make your oral tobacco and consume it whenever you want.

Choosing the Right Tobacco for Dipping

Different types of smokeless tobacco have surfaced in the market over the past few decades. There’s chewing tobacco, a type of smokeless tobacco that is made from coarsely chopped, aged tobacco blended with flavours and sweeteners. Another one is Swedish snus. It is a traditional Swedish tobacco product that resembles a small pillow. Consumed orally, it is composed of finely ground tobacco, water, salt, and flavourings. It may also be comprised of humectants, alkaline agents, and other additives.

Dipping tobacco is another type of smokeless tobacco that you can use today. Made from finely ground or shredded tobacco, you can basically consume it by placing it between the gum and lip. In other countries, dipping tobacco is known interchangeably as snuff, chaw, rub, or fresh tobacco leaf.

Now, if you intend to make your own dipping tobacco, the very first thing you must consider is the type of tobacco you will be using. It is, after all, the major component of your tobacco product. Using the right one helps you enjoy your overall tobacco experience.

Many tobacco users on the internet have, so far, used pipe tobacco as their key source of DIY dipping tobacco. However, some of them have pointed out that using the said type of tobacco can only provide users with a bitter taste. They would then go on and recommend tobacco leaves that are used for roll-up cigarettes as they can taste and hit better.

To select the best tobacco for dipping, you must consider its moisture content, cut style, and nicotine strength to match your preferences. If you like the tobacco products offered by Copenhagen, Skoal, and Grizzly, then you must opt for leaf tobacco that has a fine or long-cut texture. This type of whole-leaf tobacco is known for providing a steady nicotine release. It is also easier to place in your mouth.

One type of tobacco that manifests these qualities is Burley tobacco. Dark-fired Kentucky and flue-cured Virginia tobacco leaves are other types of tobacco you can use for your dip tobacco. These tobacco types can provide you with bold flavour, high nicotine content, and slow-burning properties. They can then become sweet and strong once they undergo curing through smoke or air drying.

If you prefer a traditional dip texture, you can opt for a fine-cut or long-cut grind. You can then add flavours to your dipping tobacco by blending your tobacco leaves with natural extracts like wintergreen, mint, honey, or molasses. These extracts are known for enhancing taste and retaining moisture, which are crucial in improving your tobacco consumption.

Preparing Tobacco Leaves for Dipping

Preparing your tobacco leaves is essential so you can get dipping tobacco that is similar to what major tobacco companies produce and offer in the market. 

Once you obtain the right tobacco leaves, which were discussed earlier, you must make sure that you cure them properly. Dark-firing tobacco leaves can help give the leaves a bold, smoky flavour, while air-curing provides them with a milder taste. Now, if the leaves are too dry, you should lightly mist them with distilled water or place them in a sealed container with a damp cloth for a day or 24 hours.

Remember not to soak the tobacco leaves in water since it will only weaken their flavour as well as change their overall texture. You must also strip away the thick central stems to make sure they will not be too harsh in your mouth. Failure to remove them will only make them difficult to use. For a better texture, make sure to only use soft, pliable parts of the tobacco leaves.

If you decide to go for a fine-cut dip, you must take advantage of a sharp knife or grinder to create a consistency that is similar to products offered by major tobacco brands. Alternatively, you can just cut the leaves into thin strips with scissors if you want a long-cut dip tobacco.

To further maintain moisture and improve texture, you must fuse the prepared tobacco leaves with glycerin or molasses. Some may take advantage of apple juice or honey to make the mixture sweeter. But if you want your dipping tobacco to be less harmful to your teeth, you can go for Xylitol or licorice root. You can then add flavours to your dip tobacco by buying high-quality food-grade essential oils.

Just remember to use them in small quantities. A tiny drop can already add flavour to the whole batch of tobacco leaves, which is why you must ensure not to overdo the whole thing. Your flavourings can be either mint, wintergreen, honey, or whiskey. Once added, let the tobacco leaves sit overnight.

Ingredients and Supplies Needed

Making your own tobacco products can be challenging, especially if this will be your first time doing it. But with the right ingredients and supplies, you can easily make your own dip without expecting any issues along the way, especially during their consumption.

The ingredients you will need in making your dip tobacco are as follows:

• Tobacco leaves
• Moisturizing agents
• Flavouring additives

All these ingredients are necessary to make your dipping tobacco as good as those being sold in the market today. The tobacco leaves that you will be using can make or break your beloved tobacco products. Some recommended types of tobacco for your dipping tobacco are dark-fired Kentucky, Burley, or flue-cured Virginia. 

Moisturizing agents, like glycerin or molasses, are also essential since they help retain the moisture of your dipping tobacco. The added moisture prevents the tobacco from drying out and makes it easier to use. Now, if your tobacco leaves become too dry, you must mist them with distilled water. This helps them become smoother and possess a chewable consistency.

While flavouring additives are not entirely needed, they are highly recommended to make your tobacco experience more exciting. If you want a refreshing taste, you can add mint or wintergreen oil. To add some sweetness to your dip tobacco, you must infuse your tobacco leaves with honey or maple syrup. Whiskey or rum can then enhance the depth of tobacco flavour while giving it a mild burn. 

To adjust the pH balance of your dipping tobacco content, you can add some salt and baking soda. These ingredients can improve nicotine absorption and enhance your dipping experience.

Your own dip tobacco cannot be made without the essential tools and supplies. Some supplies you will need in making dip tobacco are as follows:

• Cutting and processing tools
• Mixing bowl
• Storage container

Your tobacco leaves must be cut consistently to make sure you get the right texture. This is where cutting and processing tools come in. You can use a sharp knife or tobacco grinder to cut your tobacco leaves. If you want to achieve easier packing, go for fine-cut. For better control, stick with a long cut.

Distributing the flavours and moisture of your dip is then possible with a mixing bowl. Make sure to use one that is spacious enough to fit all the ingredients in making dipping tobacco.

Once you’ve processed your dipping tobacco, you must store it in an airtight tin or jar to maintain its freshness and prevent it from drying out. If you want, you can put your DIY dipping tobacco in your refrigerator to extend its shelf life, keeping it moist and flavourful.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Dipping Tobacco

In making your dipping tobacco, you must make sure to carry out the following steps to avoid any issues along the way.

1. Pick your tobacco leaves: To ensure your dipping tobacco will boast the right texture and nicotine content, you must pick your tobacco leaves properly. It’s often recommended to go for dark-fired Kentucky, Burley, or flue-cured Virginia leaves in making dipping tobacco.
2. Prepare your tobacco: After picking your tobacco leaves, check their condition. If they are too dry, you must rehydrate them by lightly misting them with distilled water. You can, alternatively, place them in an airtight container with a damp cloth for a few hours.
3. Remove stems and thick veins: Once your tobacco leaves have regained the necessary moisture levels, you must remove their stems and thick veins. You can manually remove the stems and thick veins from the leaves. Doing so can improve their consistency and texture. 
4. Cut or grind the tobacco: Using a sharp knife or tobacco grinder, you must cut the leaves into your desired texture. If you want your dipping tobacco to become easier to pack and use, you must grind the tobacco leaves until they achieve the consistency of a fine powder. Alternatively, if you desire better control and less mess, you can just cut the tobacco into longer strips. 
5. Add moisturizing agents: Afterwards, you must combine the cut tobacco with moisturizing agents in a mixing bowl. You can add 1-2 teaspoons of glycerin or molasses to retain their moisture. You can then add a few drops of distilled water if needed to prevent dryness. Then, stir the mixture thoroughly to ensure even distribution of the ingredients.
6. Add flavouring (optional): This step is for those who prefer a flavoured dipping tobacco. If you want to add some flavours to your dipping tobacco, you can add a few drops of oils or flavouring agents to your mixture. For a refreshing taste, add a few drops of mint or wintergreen oil. Alternatively, you can add a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup to make the dip tobacco sweet. For a deeper, richer flavour, add a splash of whiskey or rum. Lastly, you can add a pinch of salt and baking soda to improve the nicotine absorption of dipping tobacco.
7. Store the dipping tobacco: Once you’re done, transfer the newly mixed dipping tobacco into an airtight container or a mason jar to maintain its freshness and moisture. You must then store them in a cool, dry place. If you want, you can refrigerate them to keep them fresh for a longer time. You can rehydrate your dip tobacco again if it becomes dry by adding a few drops of water or glycerin. 

After doing all these steps, your dipping tobacco is essentially ready for consumption. When consuming dipping tobacco, you must take a pinch and place it between your gum and lip. If you think it needs more flavour or moisture, you can just add more needed ingredients. And to keep it fresh and flavourful, you must store the dipping tobacco properly.

Customizing Your Dipping Tobacco

There are plenty of ways where you can customize your dipping tobacco.

First, you can change the base of your dipping tobacco by using a particular type of tobacco. If you want a strong, smoky flavour with strong nicotine hits, you can go for dark-fired Kentucky tobacco. On the other hand, you can opt for Burley tobacco to enjoy its smooth, slightly sweet taste. Want to go for a lighter, milder taste? Then flue-cured Virginia tobacco is the right option for you. 

If you somehow want to be experimental, you can mix these tobacco types to create a unique blend that balances taste and nicotine content.

You can then customize your dipping tobacco through its cut and flavour.

Fine pieces of tobacco can give you a stronger nicotine absorption. They tend, however, to be messy. Alternatively, it is easier to pinch and pack if you go for long-cut dip tobacco.

Now, when it comes to their flavour, you have the option to go sugar-free. You can even opt for a flavourless dipping tobacco if you want to savour the natural taste of the leaves. But if you fancy some flavours on your tobacco, you have the option to add food-grade essential oils and flavourings. 

Safety Precautions When Making Dipping Tobacco

If this is your first time making your own dipping tobacco, then it can truly give you a rewarding experience. However, it’s also important to follow proper safety precautions to avoid contamination, overexposure to nicotine, health risks, and other dangerous situations. 

Some safety precautions you must follow include:

1. Wear proper protection: When handling raw tobacco leaves, additives, and flavourings, it’s important that you wear proper protection like gloves. Doing so can prevent the said materials from getting through your skin. You can also wear protective glasses and a face mask as a precaution, preventing you from touching your eyes and mouth directly.
2. Work in a well-ventilated area: Some ingredients like tobacco may release dust into the air. To prevent unnecessary infections and health effects, you must work in a well-ventilated area. Maintaining good air circulation in your workstation can save you from inhaling excessive amounts of tobacco dust, which might lead to nicotine poisoning.
3. Use food-grade ingredients: Since you will be putting your dipping tobacco directly in your mouth, it’s necessary to only use food-grade ingredients. Food-grade flavourings like mint oil, honey, or maple syrup are highly recommended since they won’t do any harm to your health, especially when added in the right quantity. Lastly, avoid using toxic additives like artificial chemicals, non-food-grade glycerine, or industrial solvents.
4. Add ingredients in moderation: If you will be using whiskey, rum, or other alcohol, make sure to only add a small amount to prevent irritation. To avoid excessive potency, you must only use a small pinch of baking soda in your dip tobacco mixture.
5. Maintain cleanliness: Before, during, and after the preparation of dipping tobacco, you must always maintain cleanliness by washing your hands, tools, and work surfaces. You must also use clean, airtight containers to store your dipping tobacco and prevent contamination or mould growth. If there are some moulds in your dip tobacco, discard it immediately.

Following these safety precautions can help you prevent encountering any issues that will put you and even others in harm. Once you’re done making your own dipping tobacco, you must make sure to consume it moderately to avoid getting overwhelmed by its nicotine content.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Making your own dip tobacco is an experience that can be rewarding. However, if you commit mistakes during the whole process, they can easily ruin the flavour, texture, or even the safety of the dipping tobacco. Some common mistakes you must avoid are as follows:

1. Using the wrong tobacco type: Not all tobacco leaves can work well for dipping tobacco. As discussed earlier, the tobacco leaves used for pipe tobacco are not recommended for dipping due to their strong bitter taste. You must also avoid using low-quality or overly dry tobacco since it won’t give you a good texture or flavour. You must likewise not use high-nicotine tobacco as it may only make your dip tobacco too harsh and strong. 
2. Over-drying or over-moistening the tobacco: You must also avoid over-drying or over-moistening your tobacco leaves. If your dip is too dry, it becomes harsh and loses flavour almost instantly upon use. If it’s too wet, it becomes sticky and clumpy. It may also be at risk of growing moulds. When adding moisture, make sure to do it gradually. 
3. Using unsafe ingredients: Your dipping tobacco must be made from high-quality, food-grade ingredients. Avoid using non-food-grade flavourings or chemicals. You must also avoid using too much alcohol since it can irritate your gums. 
4. Mixing ingredients improperly: Another thing you must avoid is mixing the dipping tobacco ingredients improperly. Failure to mix your dipping tobacco content only leads to inconsistency of flavour or nicotine content. Make sure to stir and knead the dip well to ensure proper mixture. If you’ll be adding flavour, you must let the dip sit for 12 to 24 hours before using it.
5. Storing the dip incorrectly: If you will be leaving dipping tobacco in an open container, its content may dry out quickly. It may also expose the ingredients to elements that could only ruin the dip quality. Make sure to store it in an airtight container and keep it in a cool, dry place.
6. Ignoring hygiene and safety: One of the safety precautions in making dipping tobacco is to maintain cleanliness. If you fail to wash your hands, tools, and containers, it may only attract bacteria and contaminants to your dipping tobacco mixture, ruining its overall quality. 

Avoiding these mistakes can ensure that your dipping tobacco will be flavourful, smooth, and safe to consume. You must take your time to test small batches and tweak your mixture until you find the perfect blend that can satisfy your preferences. 

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even though you’ve followed all the necessary steps in making dipping tobacco and avoided common mistakes, some issues may still come out. Fortunately, some issues may still be resolved.

Here are some of the most common issues with DIY dipping tobacco and ways to resolve them.

1. Dip is too dry: This issue is probably caused by over-drying your tobacco leaves, leaving them exposed to air, or using a minimal amount of moisture-enhancing ingredients. To fix this, you may add a few drops of distilled water, glycerin, or honey and mix the dipping tobacco mixture thoroughly. You can then store the dip in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. You can likewise rest the mixture for 12-24 hours so it can distribute the added moisture evenly. 
2. Dip is too wet or sticky: Your dipping tobacco may have become too wet or sticky due to too much honey, molasses, or glycerin. It can also be caused by improper drying and storage. You can still save your dip by letting it air dry, which you can do by spreading the dip on a clean surface for a couple of hours. You can also add a small amount of dry tobacco to balance the texture. You must then ensure to store it in a dry, cool place to prevent moisture buildup.
3. Too weak flavour: If the flavour of your dip is too weak, it may be due to an insufficient amount of flavouring agents. It may also be caused by the improper absorption of flavour into the tobacco as well as using low-quality or old tobacco. To resolve this issue, you may add more flavouring agents in small increments. You must then let the mixture rest for 12-24 hours to enhance absorption. Lastly, only use fresh, high-quality tobacco in your mixture to achieve a richer taste. 
4. Too strong flavour: If the flavour of your finished product has become too strong, it may be caused by using strong additives, taking advantage of too much dark-fired tobacco, or maximizing the unequal amount of ingredients. To dilute the overpowering flavour of your dip, you may want to add more plain tobacco. If you use alcohol, let your dip air out for a few hours to mellow its taste. Lastly, you can balance strong flavours with a little bit of honey, distilled water, or molasses.
5. Bitter or burnt taste: Your dip may taste bitter or burnt if you utilize low-quality or over-aged tobacco and harsh flavouring agents. It may also boast this quality if you over-dry or overheat the tobacco leaves during preparation. Fortunately, you can still resolve this by adding a little honey, maple syrup, or molasses to smooth out bitterness. You can then use fresh, properly cured tobacco in your mix for better natural flavour. If burnt, you must replace the tobacco and adjust your drying methods to avoid encountering this issue again. 
6. Nicotine hit is overpowering: Your dip may generate overpowering nicotine hits if you use too much high-nicotine tobacco, excessive amounts of baking soda, or unequal parts of various tobacco types. Mixing in lighter tobacco like Virginia or Burley can somehow resolve the issue. Now, in future batches, make sure to only use a smaller amount of baking soda. 

One issue with dipping tobacco that you must not resolve is if it has become mouldy or spoiled. If you spot some moulds in your dip, throw it away immediately. The next time you create your own dip, remember to clean your hands, sanitize your tools, and obtain fresh ingredients to keep your dipping tobacco safe for consumption. You must then store the newly prepped dip in an airtight container in a cool, dark place or refrigerator to avoid exposing it to harmful elements. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How is dipping tobacco made step by step?

The process of making dipping tobacco begins by selecting the right type of tobacco leaves. While you can only use one type, you can mix various types together to create your own blend. Then, dry your leaves with a little moisture left. Once dried, you must cut or shred the leaves, blend them with flavours, and moisten them with glycerin or water before storing the finished product in an airtight container.

How to make snuff tobacco?

Making snuff tobacco requires drying, grinding, and flavouring cured tobacco leaves until they achieve a fine, powdery consistency. The first thing that must be done is to cure the leaves. Then, finely ground the leaves using a mortar and pestle, spice grinder, or traditional milling methods. To elevate the experience, they can be infused with flavours before allowing the snuff to rest and develop its full aroma.

Summary

Dipping tobacco is a type of smokeless tobacco you can consume if you don’t want the harmful health risks associated with tobacco smoke. While many brands do offer various flavours of dipping tobacco, you can essentially do your own dipping tobacco. Just make sure to follow the right steps in preparing and making the dip to avoid encountering any issues later.

If you, however, don’t have time to make dipping tobacco, you can essentially purchase them directly at NativeSmokes4Less. NS4L is an online store that sells a wide variety of dipping tobacco. Some popular dipping tobacco products you can buy from NS4L include Grizzly Wintergreen, Skoal Mint, and Stoker’s Straight. Head to our online store to learn more about our dipping tobacco offerings.