What are these white spots on my Burley leaf?

[HappyHawaiian]

Hi, I'm new here and just got my first leaf order to make snus. Anyone know what all these white spots are on my Burley leaves and is it safe to make snus with? All the leaves in my 1 pound order are like this. It doesn't rub off so I don't think it's mold.

Thanks.

 

[deluxestogie]

Welcome to the forum. Feel free to introduce yourself in the Introduce Yourself forum. You may wish to scan through the topics in our Index of Key Forum Threads, linked in the menu bar.

My impression is that the white spots are simply what is known as frog eye leaf spot. It is fairly common in burley. The areas of chlorosis (loss of chlorophyll) are initially caused by Cercospora, but by the time the leaf has matured and color-cured in the barn, all that is left are just the very thin, white spots of dead leaf. It is safe to use.

Bob

 

[HappyHawaiian]

Welcome to the forum. Feel free to introduce yourself in the Introduce Yourself forum. You may wish to scan through the topics in our Index of Key Forum Threads, linked in the menu bar.

My impression is that the white spots are simply what is known as frog eye leaf spot. It is fairly common in burley. The areas of chlorosis (loss of chlorophyll) are initially caused by Cercospora, but by the time the leaf has matured and color-cured in the barn, all that is left are just the very thin, white spots of dead leaf. It is safe to use.

Bob

Thanks Bob. Glad to hear it's safe in snus because I can't afford to throw away a pound of leaves.

And in case anyone is wondering, I did NOT get those leaves from Whole Leaf. My next order will be from Whole Leaf, to see if there's any difference in quality of leaves, or spots. If I don't die from my first batch of snus.

 

[ShiniKoroshi]

I believe it was @BigBonner who explained that leaf buyers and big tobacco consider those spots an indicator of quality, that the leaf was allowed to ripen before harvest.

 

[HappyHawaiian]

I believe it was @BigBonner who explained that leaf buyers and big tobacco consider those spots an indicator of quality, that the leaf was allowed to ripen before harvest.

Is there a difference between natural ripening before harvest and frog eye caused by a fungus? The fungus doesn't sound like a great selling point. Are you saying that if the leaf gets a fungal infection it means it's ripe and better quality? I'm totally new to this so trying to figure it out and not real keen on a foreign fungus in my mouth. I know some bacteria, like that in yogurt is a good thing, but I don't know about good fungus except for mushrooms. Then again some mushrooms are poisonous.

 

[HappyHawaiian]

At least I've gotten two opinions that it is safe to use. I'm just nervous about making my first batch of snus. I have to get it right thanks to the FDA red list and I can't order snus from Sweden anymore, and US prices in California are insane thanks to the California taxes on tobacco products. I've been dipping/chewing for the last 40 years so if I can't figure out how to make a good/safe snus, then I've got some serious withdrawal issues coming up soon when I run out of the snus I got from Sweden a couple months ago. On the bright side, I go through almost a can of snus a day, leaf sellers are going to love me and I'll be saving a ton of money in the long run.

Anyway, i will use these leaves with the spots, I wish they didn't have spots but it's what I got. Thanks for the help!

 

[ShiniKoroshi]

...... I wish they didn't have spots but it's what I got. Thanks for the help!

Spots will be gone once its snus. Just sayin'........

No worries, you are in the right place to learn how to make smokeless tobacco.

 

[HappyHawaiian]

Great news. I sent a picture of the leaf to the people I bought them from, I wasn't complaining just asking if it was safe to use and what is it. They said the frogeyes are kinda excessive and shouldn't be that bad. They are sending me a replacement pound at no charge. I think that's great customer service, I did not complain or ask for a replacement, they just volunteered to make it right. Happy Days!!