Why are many “drugstore” blends packaged so moist?
The most obvious answer is that a tobacco that is packaged dry can crumble during the packing process, during shipping, and while being roughly handled by ruthless stockers. Sufficient moisture must be present to keep the leaf pliable. But, there’s another important consideration. In order for a tobacco blend to meld and age over time, there must be sufficient moisture to support these natural processes. Of course, the pouch tobaccos that are sold at the drug-store must be moist enough to survive rough handling and stay “fresh” on the shelves over time. Most of these tobaccos are moistened with humectants like propylene glycol to preserve moisture over a wide range of storage conditions. GLP tobaccos are moistened with water only, and are packed at the optimal moisture level for proper storage and aging. If you find the tobacco slightly too moist for your preferred smoking style, just leave the tin open for a short while. Since no humectants are added during blending, the tobacco can b
