Definition of "Tongue bite"?
 

So I read this in a recent article from pipesmagazine.com on Burely tobacco (HERE)

" Of all the different types of tobaccos, the one most likely to cause bite is Burley, but it’s important to understand that tongue bite is a biochemical reaction, not the same as "leather tongue" which is what one might get from smoking too much or too hot.
When tongue bite attacks, it feels almost like a cramp. Because the reaction is caused by the high pH of the smoke, having something to drink that us somewhat acidic, like a dry wine or even soda can help fend off the discomfort."

For a while I had thought I had known what Tongue bite was, and actually experienced it. Now (at least from this definition) I would categorize all my tongue bite incidents as "leather tongue". This is mostly due to the fact that I found that drinking soda or alcohol would increase the pain of my tongue, and the pain was intermittent (not constant from smoking the pipe).

Do you agree with this definition? Have you a better one?

Re: Definition of "Tongue bite"?
 

Well, I guess they know more than we do. I'm with you on this: I thought what I got was "tongue bite" but from the above it's "leather tongue" as drinking soda would only rekindle the pain! Makes sense, tho- this usually occurs when I'm trying to get the pipe going by puffing(sorry) furiously.

Re: Definition of "Tongue bite"?
 

If the issue is high pH, then wouldn't drinking an acidic drink INCREASE the discomfort?

Re: Definition of "Tongue bite"?
 

A high pH would be more basic. Drinking an acidic drink would help neutralize that.

Re: Definition of "Tongue bite"?
 

but you yourself said your tongue told you different, hehe

Re: Definition of "Tongue bite"?
 

I'm sorry, I don't follow what you mean?

Re: Definition of "Tongue bite"?
 

Geez you're right! haha I didn't believe you so I looked it up.:bh:bh:bh

Re: Definition of "Tongue bite"?
 

:r :r

This is what I spent 4 years in college as a Chem major for. :noon

Re: Definition of "Tongue bite"?
 

I am not sure about this. When I get what is considered here "leather tongue," I find that straight up salt helps to alleviate the discomfort better than either wine or soda. Why would that be, as salt is supposedly neither a base nor an acid? Or am I wrong about salt?

Re: Definition of "Tongue bite"?
 

By the way, when my tongue was on fire (leather tongue according to this def.), I thought I had tongue bite.

And, although I hear what is being said here, I will continue to define such reaction a tongue bite.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

Re: Definition of "Tongue bite"?
 

Well, by your definition, your cure to "leather tongue" it salt. It would therefore have nothing to do with this person's definition of "tongue bite" (where the cure for this is an acidic drink).

Re: Definition of "Tongue bite"?
 

I've never had cramping. I have had it become raw and sensitive though. Honestly, it seems like the terms have been mixed up. The term 'bite' doesn't really seem like a good word to describe 'cramping'.

Re: Definition of "Tongue bite"?
 

this

Re: Definition of "Tongue bite"?
 

Here is an article on Leather tongue.

http://www.talkingtobacco.com/2012/0...leathertongue/

It should be noted that is article is written by the same person who was quoted in the original post.

Re: Definition of "Tongue bite"?
 

See, as I said, salt - or salt water. The more salt the better.

I'm still going to call it tongue bit. What he calls tongue bite - cramping in the tongue, I have never had. What he describes as leather tongue doesn't even make any sense to call it that. If he'd call it tongue-fire, that I'd get.

Re: Definition of "Tongue bite"?
 

I'm with you. I've never had a tongue cramp...

Re: Definition of "Tongue bite"?
 

Alot of time what may be occurring is tongue burn, it like when you smoke aromatics too fast or hot it creates steam that actually burns the tongue, at least it is what it felt like to me. kinda when you eat a hot piece of pizza and it burns your tongue. Slow down the smoking and it will get better.

Re: Definition of "Tongue bite"?
 

I have, but not from a pipe. :xxx

Re: Definition of "Tongue bite"?
 

I WAS going to go there, but for the sake of decency I decided not to.

Great mind do think alike, however! :noon

Re: Definition of "Tongue bite"?
 

Leathertongue and tongue burn are the same thing. The reason we need to define the difference between the two is that I get a number of calls and emails asking for help with these problems, and if I can't determine what the source of the difficulty is, I can't properly advise people how to deal with it. I can tell you that, going back to the seventies, the difference between the two was generally understood, but back then, you were more likely to know a number of pipe smokers who could clarify things.

Russ