Tell Me About 'makhorka', Russian Tobacco

[mikethompson]

I recently finished an excellent book about the eastern front in the Second World War. In it, there were numerous references to something called makhorka, a 'coarse and very strong tobacco grown in the Ukraine and Russia.'

One such reference

"Gottlob Bidermann told how he and his comrades would cut the tobacco for their pipes, but they discussed at length how to obtain the best aroma. One claimed that it is best after soaked in fig juice, while another firmly asserted that corn schnapps was the answer."

Does anyone have first hand experience with the stuff?

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

In the past and even today Makhorka tobacco has been sold in Russia and Ukraine , it comes with various strength from 1-to 3 / Makhorka nro 3 /traditionally this tobacco is cube cut ,leaf variety Nicotina Rusticum
it has also been cultivated and still is in the rural areas

 

[captainsousie]

Don't remember hearing about it before but I want some now. I'll have to check if I can get some when I go to Latvia over the next summer. Maybe I can get some through some of my friends who have families in Russia.

 

[captainsousie]

In the past and even today Makhorka tobacco has been sold in Russia and Ukraine , it comes with various strength from 1-to 3 / Makhorka nro 3 /traditionally this tobacco is cube cut ,leaf variety Nicotina Rusticum
it has also been cultivated and still is in the rural areas

You wouldn't happen to know the actual Russian spelling of Makhorka would you?

 

[cosmicfolklore]

No idea, but I am anxious to hear...

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

MAXOPKA
(Cyrillic )

 

[Chasing Embers]

Its rustica.

 

[captainsousie]

MAXOPKA
(Cyrillic )

Thank you very much. That may help in finding some (and helps me to say it right so my friends don't look at me like I'm even dumber than usual).

 

[condorlover1]

Used to come in a black pouch with red writing and is used for making cigarettes. It is different from the tobacco put in Belomorkanal cigarettes which were a personal favorite of yours truly in days gone by. I put a tin of them in a Dan sponsored box pass about five years ago.

 

[mikethompson]

So those of you who have had some, is it as bad as it says in the book?

 

[condorlover1]

@mikethompson I have never had the cube cut stuff as described on here. The stuff I smoked was very fine cut and dry and very black if my memory serves me correctly. I used to have to add a slice of apple or damp toilet paper and leave it over night to make it pliable for RYO purposes. To make cigarettes out of Makhorka you would use the French rice cigarette paper in the double packs with the flip lid being used to form the papirosi tube of the smoke. I have not seen the stuff for sale in years. It burns way too hot for a pipe and it has the most distinct smell that you will never forget.

 

[mikethompson]

distinct smell that you will never forget

I get that idea from the book as well

 

[krizzose]

I've heard the best leaf is grown in the Chernobyl exclusion zone.

 

[condorlover1]

Trouble with that stuff is that it glows in the dark and you cannot tell if it is your tobacco glowing or burning. Also those rays it puts out cause your nostril hairs to fall out!

 

[warren]

Belomorkanal

One of the things I miss most since I no longer have business in Russia. That and the aroma of shashlik in the cities. Sometimes of suspect meat but, always tasty.

 

[condorlover1]

@warren Belomorkanal in the blue cardboard boxes. I loved the ritual of squashing the tube to form a mouthpiece. There was a more expensive brand that came in a tin with a toboggan in the snow scene on the lid whose name eludes me. You know 750 ML of Moskovskaya vodka, couple of dried sausages, loaf of black bread and a cartoon of those Soviet firecracker cigarettes and you could have a pretty good time.

 

[warren]

Damned straight!

 

[greeneyes]

@warren Belomorkanal in the blue cardboard boxes. I loved the ritual of squashing the tube to form a mouthpiece. There was a more expensive brand that came in a tin with a toboggan in the snow scene on the lid whose name eludes me. You know 750 ML of Moskovskaya vodka, couple of dried sausages, loaf of black bread and a cartoon of those Soviet firecracker cigarettes and you could have a pretty good time.

These are the cigarettes, @jiminks

 

[condorlover1]

There was a rather weird pipe tobacco as well that always smelled like you had set fire to a trash can. It came in a paper packet with cellophane covering and the wrapper was maybe a yellowish color. Anyway I am sure the Russians have a tonne of choices these days. Wonderful people. Very generous with the most beautiful women just not good at picking sane leaders!

 

[Misanthrope]

Trouble with that stuff is that it glows in the dark and you cannot tell if it is your tobacco glowing or burning. Also those rays it puts out cause your nostril hairs to fall out!

Oh, that's easy--if it's glowing light blue, it's unlit. If it's glowing orange-red, it's lit. The throat itch and tooth loss is something else, though...