Does Chewing Tobacco Go Bad?

Smokeless tobacco products are considered to be a more convenient way of consuming tobacco than smoking cigarettes since you don’t have to light up anything. Most of the time, you only need to pinch tobacco leaves and place them in your mouth.

One of the smokeless tobacco products you can buy today is chewing tobacco. Chewing tobacco is typically sold as loose leaves, braided leaves, or compressed leaves. To preserve their freshness, manufacturers would place them in either a can or plastic packaging. It then allows you to bring your chewing tobacco wherever you go.

Since chewing tobacco leaves are already packed properly, does it mean they won’t go bad as easily as other tobacco products? Does chewing tobacco go bad at all? Let NativeSmokes4Less be your friend today as we provide you with the answers to these key questions about your chewing tobacco.

Does Chewing Tobacco Go Bad if Unopened?

Chewing tobacco, regardless of its type, can often be placed between the cheek and gum. From there, your saliva may build up and blend with the flavours and nicotine content from the tobacco. To make sure you’re chewing tobacco consumption will be flawless, you have to either spit the saliva out or swallow it. But generally, it’s recommended to spit it out for your own safety.

Now, one thing that may be bothering you is if chewing tobacco can go bad. 

This question may be hunting some chewing tobacco users, especially the new ones, since a number of tobacco products are sold without any indicated expiry date. Cigarettes, for instance, don’t have an expiration date on their respective cigarette packets. Snus, which is a type of moist snuff first used in Sweden and Norway, does have an expiration date on its tin cans. 

So, what about chewing tobacco?

Despite not opening your chewing tobacco, it’s still expected to go bad over time. While the exact day when it will go bad may not be determined, you can practically tell if it has already expired just by looking at the qualities of your chewing tobacco.

Your chewing tobacco should often have a consistent texture, which is neither too dry nor too moist. Once it becomes dry, crumbly, or possesses an unusual consistency, it only means that your chewing tobacco has expired. Consuming expired chewing tobacco may be difficult to chew.

Additionally, your chewing tobacco must release an all-familiar pleasant, earthy aroma of tobacco whenever you sniff it. If you smell an unpleasant or off-putting odour as you open its packaging, then it means that the chewing tobacco has gone bad. 

Your beloved tobacco product may likewise be spoiled already if it possesses darker or unusual colour patches. One quality of a good chewing tobacco, after all, is the presence of a consistent and natural appearance, without any discolourations or mould.

Even without opening your chewing tobacco, it can still go bad if it isn’t stored properly. Exposing it to direct sunlight, heat, and humidity will only accelerate its deterioration. 

How Long Does Chewing Tobacco Last?

Smokeless tobacco users often want the best products they can buy at the market today. Therefore, when picking chewing tobacco, they would often opt for one with a lengthy consumption date. You don’t want to buy a product that will expire quickly since you might not be able to consume and finish everything in just a few weeks or even days.

The shelf life of tobacco products, even though they come from the same plants, actually differs depending on the processing of the tobacco leaves.

Standard cigarettes that are stored properly, for example, can last for up to two years. Loose cigarette tobacco, alternatively, may only last for up to half a year despite storing it properly. If you already opened the packaging for your loose tobacco cigarette, then it may only last for up to three months.

Snus, which is made from powdered tobacco, may last for around four months to a year. You can then further extend its shelf life by freezing it.

As for your beloved chewing tobacco, it may last up to a year if you store it properly. Of course, its shelf life may vary depending on how you store it as well as how the product is made. 

If you store unopened chewing tobacco in a cool, dry, and dark place, then expect its shelf life to be around a year. It may then expire quickly if it has been exposed to heat, light, and humidity. 

Alternatively, chewing tobacco packaging that has already been opened may last less than a year. The best way to preserve its shelf life is to transfer it to an airtight container and store it in a cool, dark place. Additionally, it’s best that you consume it quickly so you can savour its full taste.

How Long Is Chewing Tobacco Good for After Opening?

Smokeless tobacco, or oral tobacco, is a type of tobacco product you can enjoy the most without releasing any smoke into your surroundings. It may also be your companion if you are trying to quit smoking for good since it can still give you your desired nicotine, which can soothe your senses.

As mentioned earlier, one key product under the smokeless tobacco product is chewing tobacco. Made with pure tobacco plant, it’s meant to be a smokeless way of consuming tobacco. The tobacco juices from this product may then merge with your saliva, which you either spit out or swallow.

Opening a chewing tobacco packaging can be a delightful experience since you get to see a new form of tobacco, especially if you are coming from smoking cigarettes. 

You’ll be greeted with the rich, earthy aroma of tobacco that lingers in your nose for a long time. You then see the natural colours of tobacco, enticing you to pinch some leaves and place them in your mouth. Once they are placed between your gums and cheek, all you need to do is chew them, giving you the all-familiar taste notes of tobacco alongside any added flavours.

After opening your chewing tobacco, you may be wondering how long does the rest of it last.

Generally, your chewing tobacco may be good for less than a year after opening. It’s best, nonetheless, to consume all chewing tobacco within a few weeks of opening so you can savour all the flavours they possess. Beyond the said timeframe, your chewing tobacco may start to lose flavour, dry out, and potentially develop discolourations and moulds.

Fortunately, you can transfer your opened chewing tobacco into an airtight container to prevent it from being exposed to moisture. You can then store it in a cool, dry place.

How Long Does Chewing Tobacco Last in Your Mouth?

Chewing tobacco, also known as chew, spitting tobacco, or spit, is a convenient smokeless tobacco product that you can enjoy while you’re out and about.

As you place some tobacco leaves in your mouth and chew them, their juices may blend with your saliva. You may then spit out or swallow them from time to time, avoiding the harmful health effects of swallowing too much nicotine in your body. Other chemicals from the chewing tobacco juices may then be absorbed into your bloodstream through the oral mucosa. After some time, you’ll feel the desired effects of the nicotine, making you feel relaxed for a short time.

But how long does it take for you to fully maximize the chewing tobacco? And how long does it need to stay in your mouth?

Most long-time users of chewing tobacco recommend consuming it for 30 minutes to an hour. Exceeding this duration may increase your risk of developing health problems due to excessive nicotine absorption. Chewing tobacco effects, such as gum disease, tooth decay, and an increased risk of oral cancer, are well-documented concerns for users. Conversely, consuming chewing tobacco for less than 30 minutes may render the product ineffective since you haven’t fully enjoyed its flavours and nicotine content.

If you’re not bothered by the effects of nicotine and the risk of nicotine poisoning, then chewing tobacco can be consumed for as long as you want, since it can last indefinitely. However, it’s not recommended for both beginners and experienced chewing tobacco users.

How to Store Chewing Tobacco Long Term

The popularity of chewing tobacco may fluctuate over time, but it still has a stable market that makes the product a viable line-up for many brands in the tobacco industry.

If you want to get your own chewing tobacco here in Canada, you can visit our online store at NativeSmokes4Less. You can browse through our chewing tobacco offerings alongside other smokeless tobacco products and order those you want to try and consume. We sell them at competitive prices and ship them out promptly wherever you are in Canada.

As soon as you get your own chewing tobacco, it would be best to store them properly, especially if you want to use them for a long time. Some key tips you should follow in storing them include:

• Transfer to airtight container: It’s expected that you’ll be opening the chewing tobacco as soon as you receive or buy one. While the default packaging of the chewing tobacco may be re-sealed, it might not guarantee to keep the leaves fresh for your next consumption. For the best flavours, you should transfer your chewing tobacco to an airtight container like a glass jar or a metal tin. Then, make sure to seal it tightly to prevent air and moisture from entering.
• Store in a cool, dry environment: Another thing you can do to store your chewing tobacco long-term is to store it in a cool, dry environment. Doing this ensures that your chewing tobacco leaves will be free from excessive humidity, which is the key source of moulds. You must also keep it away from direct sunlight since UV rays can easily degrade its quality. 
• Check expiration date: Some chewing tobacco brands place an expiry date or best-before date on the packaging of their chewing tobacco products. If you spot one, try to take note of it so you can portion the leaves appropriately and consume them before they all expire. Once your chewing tobacco has passed its expiration date, do not use it anymore.

Can You Freeze Chewing Tobacco?

Many smokeless tobacco products are being sold in the market today. One of them is snus.

Snus is a smokeless tobacco product that was first used in Sweden and Norway. The tobacco ingredients used for making snus have been pasteurized or heated briefly at high temperatures, making sure any bacteria that can produce cancer-causing chemicals are eliminated. Unlike other tobacco products, snus is believed to be less harmful to users, lowering their chances of getting health risks like mouth cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and other lung problems. 

In terms of preserving snus, a number of users would often put them in a freezer, making sure their quality will remain intact for future consumption.

Since snus can be preserved this way, you may be thinking of doing the same thing with chewing tobacco.

Unfortunately, chewing tobacco is not recommended to be put inside a freezer. Freezing the chewing tobacco leaves may preserve them for a long time, but it can actually negatively impact their quality. Freezing only alters the texture and flavour of the tobacco, which makes it less enjoyable to chew.

The best way to store your chewing tobacco and maintain its freshness is to place it in an airtight container. You should then keep it in a cool, dry place and away from direct sunlight. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can you store chewing tobacco?

You can store your chewing tobacco for several months to a year in a cool, dry place. Once opened, you should consume it within a few weeks to maintain its flavour and freshness.

How to know if chewing tobacco has gone bad?

Your chewing tobacco has gone bad if it releases a strange or unpleasant odour, manifests a change in texture such as becoming dry or crumbly, and showcases visible signs of mould. It has also gone bad if it features some darkening or unusual spots.

Does chewing tobacco have an expiration date?

Typically, yes. Chewing tobacco has an expiration date printed on its packaging. As a user, you should check this date and avoid using the product once it has expired.

How long does chewing tobacco stay fresh?

Chewing tobacco can stay fresh for several months to a year, especially if it has not been opened yet. It can also stay fresh for the said duration if it is stored properly in a cool, dry, and dark place. Once you’ve opened the chewing tobacco, you must consume it within a few weeks so you can enjoy its flavour and nicotine content.

Summary

Chewing tobacco, like other tobacco products being sold in the market today, can go bad, especially if you don’t store it properly. The best way to keep your chewing tobacco fresh and intact is to keep it in a cool place. You must also keep it sealed. If needed, transfer your chewing tobacco to an airtight container to preserve the freshness of the leaves.

Once your chewing tobacco has expired, make sure to discard it right away. Do not consume expired chewing tobacco since it will only put your body in danger.

Want to know the different types of chewing tobacco? Head over here to learn more.