Heat
Strong.
Coals
Solid coals; works well in a blend for long cooks.
Smoke
Distinctive.
Lighting
Moderate; lights well with kindling or in a mix.
The wood
Snuifpeul (Scented Pod) is a widespread thorn tree; the pods were historically used for snuff, but the wood is what we care about for braai. The bark is deeply fissured and very dark, almost black, and the heartwood is a rich brick-red to reddish-brown. It’s a key species in our Braai Mix because it infuses meat with a distinct, sweet, musky bushveld smoke. When you buy wood that contains Snuifpeul, you’re buying flavour.
The look
Bark & shape
Deeply fissured, non-peeling, with a ‘cracked mud’ look. Very dark: black or blackish-grey, with reddish-brown visible in the cracks. Sometimes amber gum nodules in the fissures. Paired, straight, white to greyish thorns.
Standard round or split logs.
Heartwood & sapwood
Rich brick-red to reddish-brown; oxidises to a deep maroon-brown in air.
A wide, distinct band of yellowish-white or ivory with a sharp boundary against the red heart.
Quick ID: Black, deeply fissured bark; brick-red heartwood; straight white spines.
The burn
How it performs
Heat
Strong. Hard, heavy, and durable, with good heat output.
Coals
Solid coals; works well in a blend for long cooks.
Smoke
Distinctive. Sweet, musky aroma. This is the wood that gives braai its famous flavour.
Lighting
Moderate; lights well with kindling or in a mix.
Best for
Braai masters who care about smoke flavour
Red meat and lamb
Any fire where you want that classic bushveld aroma
Gallery
Get Snuifpeul
Snuifpeul is a core component of our Braai Mix (12 kg and 30 kg), blended with Knoppiesdoring for flavour and long-lasting coals.
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