How to Properly Sieve and Refine Rapè, Tabaco, and Herbal Powders

A fine, smooth powder makes all the difference in the quality and performance of your Rapè.

When preparing powders for Rapè, Tabaco blends, ashes, or other herbal mixtures, sieving is the final and most important step. It refines the powder by removing coarse particles and ensuring a uniform, smooth texture. This not only improves how the powder feels but also how well it blends and performs. Whether you're making your own Rapè or working with dried herbs and ashes, proper sieving significantly elevates the quality of your preparation.

This process only works well when the material is finely ground and completely dry. Even a slight amount of moisture can cause clumping and prevent the powder from passing through the mesh. If it resists, don’t force it—let it dry further, regrind it, and sieve again. Dryness affects how well the material grinds, how the particles break apart, and how easily they pass through the sieve. On humid days, ambient moisture can interfere with drying. Placing the powder in direct sun can help, though a breeze may carry it off. A more controlled method is to dry the powder on a sheet of paper placed above a warm stove. Our article How to Make Powder from Raw Tabaco explains this in more detail.

Blending Rapè—or adjusting an existing blend by adding ashes or Tabaco—works best when the entire mixture is blended and then sieved again to ensure uniform texture. This helps all components integrate fully, not just in appearance but at a particle level. If you’ve purchased a Rapè and want to check its quality, run it through a fine sieve. You might find more rough material than expected. Regrinding and re-sieving this portion improves both texture and overall quality—and often darkens the powder due to stem content. Tabaco stems are tough and difficult to grind finely with traditional tools. By processing them properly, you upgrade the entire blend. If the result appears too brown (indicating a higher Tabaco content), simply add a bit more ash—available on our website—and sieve the mixture again to balance it out.

To support this level of refinement, we offer two stainless steel laboratory-grade sieves. One has a 100 mesh screen with 150-micron openings, ideal for ultra-fine results. The other has a 150 mesh screen with 250-micron openings, which is slightly more forgiving and useful as a first pass. Both models are durable, easy to clean, and sized at 200 mm in diameter and 50 mm in height—well suited for small to medium batches.

Sieving with the 150-micron mesh is a more meticulous process. Even powders that look fine to the eye often won’t fully pass through without additional grinding. This is normal. Simply regrind the remaining material with a mortar and pestle or a strong blender, then sieve again. Mortar and pestle work well for small batches and for staying close to traditional methods, but for larger amounts or tougher herbs, a high-powered blender saves time and produces a more consistent grind.

When sieving, gently push the powder across the mesh using a plastic card or scraper. Avoid pressing hard. A steady, light sweeping motion lets friction and movement guide the fine particles through. When finished, clean the sieve with warm water and mild soap, and dry it thoroughly before storing.

All of our Rapè powders go through this final refinement step. Tribal blends, while carefully prepared, are often not sieved to the same standards we maintain. That’s why we reprocess every batch using 150-micron laboratory sieves and commercial dehydrators, ensuring a smooth, potent, and consistent powder. This is the level of quality we aim to provide with every product—because it noticeably improves the experience.

Once your powder is fully refined, it’s ready to use or blend. A 1:1 ratio of finely sieved Tabaco and plant ashes is a reliable starting point, though you can adjust the mix based on strength, character, and personal preference.

For more guidance, read our step-by-step articles on How to make powder from raw Tabaco and How to Blend Your Own Rapè. They’ll walk you through the full process, from drying and grinding to mixing and finishing.