Chewing tobacco composition and process for producing the same

A miniature soft plug of chewing tobacco having a moisture content between about 15 to about 35% by weight and a tensile strength of greater than about 150 g/cm when measured with a Scott Tensile Tester at a moisture content of 26% by weight, said plug comprising tobacco in an amount of about 25 to about 80% by weight dry basis;

• and a casing solids composition adhering to said tobacco in an amount of about 20 to about 75% by weight dry basis, said casing comprising flavoring, sweetener, syrups and gelatin, said gelatin being present on said miniature plug in an amount of about 0.5% to about 5.0% by weight dry basis.

A smokeless tobacco composition for use as a chewing tobacco comprising:

• tobacco in an amount of about 25% to about 80% by weight dry basis, a casing solids composition adhering to said tobacco in an amount of about 20 to about 80% by weight dry basis, said casing composition comprising flavorings, sweeteners, salt, syrups and as an essential ingredient therein gelatin in an amount of about 0.3 to about 5.0% by weight dry basis composition.

A casing solution for chewing tobacco comprising water in an amount of about 35 to about 55% by weight, about 6 to 45% by weight of a flavoring composition comprising sweeteners, salt, flavorings, syrups, and as an essential ingredient therein gelatin in an amount of about 1 to about 10% by weight.