Tobacco and shag, according to popular opinion, are considered almost synonymous concepts. Yes, they have common features, but there are also differences between them. It lies, first of all, in the origin of both plant varieties, taste and aromatic properties, and the content of active components. What are the differences between shag and tobacco, experts explain.
What is shag?
Shag is one of the varieties of the tobacco plant. The northern regions of South America are considered to be its homeland. Presumably, the culture was obtained by crossing two varieties of tobacco - paniculate and wavy.
It is an annual herbaceous plant with a round-ribbed stem.The leaves are petiolate, the root is taproot, penetrating deep into the soil. The average ripening period of the crop is 130 days.
There are 2 types of culture:
- smoking, made from dried stems and leaves of the plant;
- snuff, obtained from leaves crushed to a powdery state, into which various additives were then mixed - mint oil, alcohol, salt, glycerin or others.
Other substances were then mixed into the finished product. Each factory had its own recipes for making products.
The taste of shag is spicy, the smell is strong and pronounced. Previously, it was believed that it was simply a low-quality type of tobacco, in other words, remnants from its processing. But that's not true. Shag is a separate plant, even if it is directly related to the Tobacco genus.
Description of tobacco
Tobacco was first discovered in North America in Virginia. Therefore, you can also find its alternative name – virgin tobacco.
The plant has pink flowers with a tubular corolla. Its leaves are oblong-lanceolate. The culture loves warmth and moisture; it is more capricious than shag. And since it reacts poorly to cold, it is practically not cultivated in the northern regions.
Interesting fact. During World War II, tobacco became a scarce commodity, and soon it was almost completely replaced by shag. It was used to make rolled-up cigarettes and cigarettes, which in popular slang were called “goat legs.”
Now shag is not cultivated as extensively as tobacco. It is grown, as a rule, on private land for personal use.
Main differences
Already from the descriptions of both types of plants, you can roughly understand what the difference is between them. But a more detailed comparison of cultures is given in the table:
| № | Comparison criterion | Tobacco | Makhorka |
| 1 | Motherland | North America | South America |
| 2 | Fastidiousness in care | The plant is capricious and requires a consistently warm climate and abundant watering. Does not tolerate low temperatures, does not adapt well to them, and may die. Suitable for growing in warm regions with mild winters. | An unpretentious crop that can be grown in any region. Tolerates cold and heat equally well. Quickly adapts to changes in humidity and air temperature. |
| 3 | Botanical classification | Family Solanaceae | Rod Tobacco |
| 4 | Areas of application | Suitable for making cigarettes, cigarettes, cigars, smoking mixtures, and pipe fillers. | Acts as a raw material in the tobacco industry. Used in the production of insecticides, citric acid, vitamin B3 (nicotinic acid). |
| 5 | Price | The plant is more expensive in price since the cost of importing it is quite high. In addition, the excise tax on finished cigarettes periodically increases, which affects the price indicator of the product. | The crop grows in any area and is widespread, so there is no need to import it. Consequently, the price of the plant is much lower and more affordable. |
| 6 | Organoleptic properties | More tart taste, less intense aroma than shag. | Spicy taste, clearly noticeable, but refined aroma. |
| 7 | Nicotine content | Insignificant when considered in parallel with the compared plant. | High, exceeding the indicator characteristic of tobacco. |
What's better?
What is better to choose - tobacco or shag - can only be decided by the smoker himself. It is generally accepted that tobacco cigarettes are superior in quality to shag. But they are more expensive. If the issue of cost is fundamental, it is better to give preference to shag. But in the case when the desire to smoke high-quality products takes over, it is recommended to choose tobacco.
Both crops belong to the category of smoking plants. You can grow them yourself to use for making cigarettes at home. And, knowing about the main differences between them, you will be able to choose the best option that suits the price and quality.
