Tongue Bite

[SLR]

What causes tongue bite? Here are my thoughts as to why this happens...

Heat and steam. I think the most common reason for tongue bite is heat and steam. If you smoke pipe tobacco that has too much moisture, too much heat happens and steam is created. This steam burns the tip of the tongue causing a burn and pain on the tongue. Discomfort can last a few days.

Reaction to Virginia tobacco. Some pipe smokers are sensitive to Virginia tobacco. For whatever reason, some people get a rash on the tongue from the oils from Virginia tobacco causing pain. Short lived, generally goes away in a couple of days.

Reaction to toppings and casings. Some folks can be sensitive to the flavor additives that can cause a rash for some pipe smokers. Your experience with different tobaccos will tell you what tobaccos you are sensitive to. Generally short lived, lasts day or two.

Propylene Glycol (PG) added to tin and drug store tobaccos. I am especially sensitive to this and get tongue bite from PG. Adding PG is common in most drug store tobaccos like Prince Albert, and Half and Half. They use it as a long term preservative which is why these tobaccos have a very long shelf life. From my experience, I get tongue bite when I smoke most drug store, and tin tobaccos. This leads me to believe PG is used by many tobacco manufacturers, but they will not admit it. In fact, many claim they don't use PG. But when I smoke the same tobacco from bulk (non-tin) format, I don't get tongue bite from the same bulk tobacco. For example, I commonly get minor tongue bite from Samual Gawith tin tobaccos, but I don't get any tongue bite when smoking the same tobacco from bulk format. So what ever they are putting in their tin tobacco, they are not adding in the bulk tobacco. My guess it is PG or some other anti-mold agent. But tobacco manufacturers deny it. Only C&D has told me they do not use any preservative agent on any of their tobaccos, which is why I have never experienced any tongue bite with C&D products.

[ak2000]

That is very interesting, thanks for the explanation! Is there anything you don't know about tobacco!?

Sent from my 2PS64 using Tapatalk

[SLR]

Originally Posted by ak2000

That is very interesting, thanks for the explanation! Is there anything you don't know about tobacco!?

Sent from my 2PS64 using Tapatalk

I know, it's creepy.

[N8DCJ]

Whats really ironic/creepy about this post is that I just googled this same thing regarding cigars about 5 minutes before the original post was made...

Since I am not working I smoke more than normal...

Two at cigar store (noon until 3) , then maybe another 2 from 6-9 at home...

And , since I smoke fast compared to others , my gums and inside of top lip have this issue....

I am working on slowing down , when I get my hands on cigars I like , I burn thru them....

Dan

[SLR]

Originally Posted by N8DCJ

Whats really ironic/creepy about this post is that I just googled this same thing regarding cigars about 5 minutes before the original post was made...

Since I am not working I smoke more than normal...

Two at cigar store (noon until 3) , then maybe another 2 from 6-9 at home...

And , since I smoke fast compared to others , my gums and inside of top lip have this issue....

I am working on slowing down , when I get my hands on cigars I like , I burn thru them....

Dan

Same thing happens to me when I power through cigars. Slowing down the cadence when smoking cigars helps with the mouth burn.

[N8DCJ]

SLR

Yeah , i need to slow down how fast etc... prob drink water and swish it around mouth might help... not sure , but , will try it

Dan

[Smokestack Jack]

I have noticed more significant tongue bite with flavored tobaccos or ones with a top coat. Cherry seems to be the worst for me.

I have used PG with my humidification beads for my cigars. PG is also used in foods and food processing!

Thanks for the info. I don't think I have ever smoked any Cornell & Deil tobacco. I'll have to try some.