Day 238
August 26, 2010Can you guess what this is?
Wilsons of Sharrow, now named Wilsons & Company (Sharrow) Ltd, based in the Sharrow district of Sheffield, is the world’s oldest manufacturer of snuff. The company was founded 1737. Wilsons also manufactures the renowned Fribourg & Treyer snuffs.
At Sharrow Mills steam power was introduced in 1797, but the water wheel remains operational. The company is currently still owned by the Wilson family, the sixth generation since Thomas, still based at Sharrow Mills, in Sheffield.
Snuff is made from carefully selected blends of choice tobaccos, often originating from Africa where the leaf is particularly suited.
After a number of maturing processes the leaf is dried.
In the old days this was done using the power of the water wheel at Sharrow Mills, in oak mortars by iron pestles. Today, modern machinery is used to ensure consistent high quality standards are met.