Ways to Blow Rapé

There are many ways to blow Rapé: Long and slow, quick and sharp, and everything in between. You will soon learn to judge what is most appropriate, depending on your particular style or the needs of the person you are serving. A short, quick blow of Rapé has more of an awakening effect: a quick, uplifting hit. A nice and slow, long blow can be more meditative.

How you finish the blow is also important: trailing off will weaken the effect of the Rapé; it’s much better to finish with a deliberate ‘click’ – so to speak. As you finish your blow, put your tongue to the roof of the mouth, in the same spot you’d place the tip of the tongue during yoga. It takes a bit of practice, but you will see how this technique gives a more satisfying blow.

Varieties of Rapé Blowing Styles

The different kinds of blowing Rapé matter more than just how you are administering the snuff. Different blowing styles will result in different kinds of experiences and results.

The Short and Sharp Blow

The short and sharp blow is known in Brazil as the “Beija Flor,” or Hummingbird. It is a nice short hit that ‘wakes you up’ – a more energizing application.

The Long and Sharp Blow

A long and sharp blow has an uplifting and deep effect: great for use with more substantial quantities of Rapé to really take you to that next level.

The Long and Slow Blow

A long and slow Rapé blowing style is called the “Jiboiá” – the Boa Constrictor. The Boa is a sacred medicine animal that is highly revered by indigenous peoples. Just like the Boa, this blow is long, slow and gentle, with an acceleration at the end. It’s perfect for using smaller amounts of Rapé to induce a contemplative, meditative state. With larger quantities, it can induce a deep meditative state.