Introduction: What is Tacja?
Nicotine pouches are making waves throughout the UK as an effective alternative to smoking. Popular with English Football players, they are also sought after by people looking for a discreet way to enjoy nicotine without tobacco.
E-cig giants Elf Bar were quick to jump on this trend, unveiling the release of their very own range of nicotine pouches called Tacja.
Tacja nicotine pouches are enveloped shaped sachets that contain nicotine and flavourings. You simply tuck one under your lip where it gradually releases nicotine into your bloodstream through your gum lining.
The benefits: Why use nicotine pouches?
Whether you're on the go or looking to quit smoking, Elf Bar’s Tacja nicotine pouches provide a modern solution with a touch of convenience and a lot of benefits. They are 100% tobacco free and extremely cost effective, saving your lungs and your wallet at the same time.
The best thing about nicotine pouches is their subtlety. Because they’re smoke free, you can use them in any situation you couldn’t normally smoke or vape. If you regularly commute or fly abroad, nicotine pouches are a game changer.
I personally fly long haul once a year and being able to stroll through check in and relax in the departures section without cravings anxiety has significantly improved my travel experience.
Of course, the most exciting aspect of Tacja pouches is the flavour. Elf Bar is world famous for creating punchy e-liquid flavours and I’m thrilled to be testing what they have on offer, to find out if their Tacja nicotine pouches are as tasty as the rest of their products.
Methodology: My personal experience with nicotine pouches
For this Tacja review, I’ve decided to try a single pouch from each flavour for a total of 45 minutes. This doesn't necessarily mean that they last for that long. But based on my previous experience with slim sized varieties, I think the flavour will peak after 30 minutes and I’d like to see how they fair after that.
I’ve slowly reduced my nicotine intake over the years so I’ll be using the 12mg/g strength for this review. This works out to 6mg of nicotine per pouch (more on nicotine pouch strengths below). It is also the lowest nicotine strength available in this Tacja series.
I usually vape a 3mg 50/50 e-liquid and I find that a 12mg/g strength of nicotine pouches suits me perfectly. Even though on paper the strength is higher, I think it works because the buccal absorption method of nicotine pouches is much slower than vaping - which hits you almost instantly.
Of course there are other brands that stock lower strengths but I find that the 12mg/g option effectively curbs my cravings without making me feel queasy. In case you are still wondering, nicotine pouches are really effective. I’ve noticed that I only reach for my vape about half an hour after I’m finished with a nicotine pouch - which is amazing considering how cheap nicotine pouches are.
How strong are Tacja pouches?
Tacja pouches offer three nicotine strengths: mild, medium and strong. The nicotine content is measured in mg/g which is displayed in big lettering on the front of the tub. Milligrams per gram means the total nicotine strength of a full tub of pouches.
In my opinion, it's more useful to know how much nicotine is in each pouch, so I’ll include the conversions for you in this section.
If you’d like to learn how to do the conversions yourself, I go into more detail about nicotine content and how to work out the strength per pouch in my blog about how many nicotine pouches equal one pack of cigarettes.
The nicotine in Tacja pouches begins to work quite rapidly, starting about 5 minutes after the pouch is placed and culminating in a peak at around 25 to 30 minutes after placement.
Tacja nicotine strengths
The strongest of Tacja pouches is the 20mg/g or 12mg per pouch variety. This is an ideal choice for the more experienced nicotine pouch users. If you are a heavy smoker and new to nicotine pouches, we recommend that you start with a lower strength at first and work your way up. This approach will give your mouth time to acclimate to absorbing nicotine this way.
Midway is the 18mg/g or 9mg per pouch nicotine strength. If you’re a regular smoker of 10 to 15 cigarettes a day this would be a suitable strength to effectively manage your cravings. If you are an average smoker and this is your first foray into nicotine pouches, you might want to consider starting with a lower strength whilst you build up tolerance to the buccal absorption method.
The lowest Tacja nicotine strength sits at 12mg/g or 6mg per tub. This is the strength I used for the review as I have a low nicotine dependence - and I was popping them in continuously and didn’t want to make myself sick. 12mg/g is a good strength for nicotine pouch newbies as the it isn’t too intense on your gums. This allows you to explore the flavours and understand the difference between oral mucosal absorption vs pulmonary absorption. On to the review!
Elf Bar Tacja Flavours: Review
Flavour Profile: Blueberry Sour Raspberry
First impressions
Not surprisingly, this being an Elf Bar product, the flavour amazing - so we’re off to a good start. Within seconds I could taste a strong note of sweet blueberries followed by a distinctive raspberry flavour. There’s a sweet candy note that wraps up both of these flavours, but I couldn’t taste any sourness unfortunately.
How long does the flavour take to develop?
I’ve had a dig through a few of the tubs and I think all these Tacja pouches have a dry consistency. As such, I was expecting the flavour to take a few minutes to develop. I was surprised to find this was not so with Tacja’s Blueberry Sour Raspberry. There is an immediate burst of flavour that is impressive for a dry moisture content.
How long does it last for?
I used a single pouch for 45 minutes and found that the flavour was consistent throughout that period of time. I think I could probably get another 10 to 15 minutes out of that pouch, which is really impressive.
Is the flavour accurate?
Mostly. There are bold berry flavours that are well balanced between the blueberry and raspberry. A strong taste of candy rounds off this flavour really well and adds additional sweetness, unfortunately the sour note I was hoping for was sorely missed.
Who would like this?
If you’re craving a dose of intense berry fruit then you’ll find Tacja’s Blueberry Sour Raspberry hits all the right spots. The candy flavour adds even more sweetness to this fruity mix. The unfortunate absence of a tangy sour note shouldn’t be a reason not to try this.
Fast acting flavour releaseGood balance of Blueberry and RaspberryConsistent flavour throughout use
Sour candy flavour is sorely lacking
Fruit lovers and anyone with a sweet toothFlavour Profile: Cherry Ice
First impressions
Cherry Ice is nowhere near as punchy as I’d like it to be. There’s a faint sweetness but any hint of fruity cherries seemed to elude me. Don’t get me wrong, the cherry note is there, but it is very much in the background. A good amount of ice was localised around the pouch, but that faded by about the 20 minute mark. What a disappointment, to go from such a strong start to this.
How long does the flavour take to develop?
The flavour took at least 10 minutes to develop but didn’t really peak. Overall I found Cherry Ice to be quite underwhelming to be honest.
How long does it last for?
I’d say you get about 15 minutes of flavour from the time it kicks in, to when it fades away - which was well before the 45 minutes of time I’d allotted myself to review each pouch.
Is the flavour accurate?
Unfortunately Cherry Ice underperforms in accuracy. There is a slight hint of cherry, but mostly it's just slightly, vaguely fruity sweet ice. In an earlier review of Zyn’s Lemon and Lime pouch, I noted that you actually had to lick the pouch to taste the flavour. The same can be said for this Cherry flavour. It would be a good flavour, if it was stronger.
Who would like this?
If you’d like a pouch that tastes mildly sweet and fruity with an icy hit that won’t overwhelm you then you’ll have a winner here. Tacja Cherry Ice flavour is so faded that may be the perfect all day pouch you can use over again without feeling saturated with sweetness. Unfortunately anyone expecting a bold hit cherry fruit will not be happy.
Good amount of iceSubtle sweetnessMore robust cherry fruitLonger lasting flavour Faster flavour activation People looking for a very mild but pleasant fruit flavour that isn’t too intenseFlavour Profile: Freezing Ice
First impressions
Freezing Ice is a fresh and vibrant mint flavour that carries just the right amount of ice. There is a good amount of flavour that strikes an even balance between mint and ice.
How long does the flavour take to develop?
As with Cherry Ice, this flavour took about 10 minutes to fully develop. The mint note has a welcome level of depth that starts out sweet and merges into a sharper flavour that accurately evokes fresh peppermint spears.
How long does it last for?
Freezing Ice peaks after about 20 minutes but the flavour and nicotine still carry through for 30 to 40 minutes.
Is the flavour accurate?
I wouldn’t call this freezing but it does the job as far as delivering a good amount of flavour. The mint starts off sweet and morphs into a spicy peppermint note about midway through the experience which brought a welcome addition of depth to the flavour.The ice lingers nicely around the pouch and provides a gentle coolness to the mouth that surprisingly lasted through the 30 minute duration of the pouch. I imagine you’d get more that half an hour of use out of this flavour.
Who would like this?
Freezing Ice is an ideal choice if you like fresh minty flavours. You’ll find the sweet and spicy fusion of mint adds pleasant dynamic to the gentle coolness that will refresh your palate.
Good depth of flavourJust the right amount of iceConsistent flavour throughout useNothing negative to say about this oneIdeal for a refreshing/palate cleansing experienceFlavour Profile: Lemon Mango
First impressions
This flavour is delightful! Theres a good amount of tropical mango at first with the lemon developing nicely in the background. Heady exotic notes are dominant with the tangy citrus serving to balance out the sweetness.
How long does the flavour take to develop?
A smooth note of mango starts to develop after 5 minutes and there is a hint of sharpness from the lemon that follows shortly afterwards. The flavour peaks quite early after about 15 minutes.
How long does it last for?
The flavour on Tacja Lemon Melon lasts a really long time. I was surprised at how consistently I could taste both mouth watering flavours right up to the end of my 45 minutes of allotted time.
Is the flavour accurate?
Fresh is how I would describe this flavour. The lemon melds beautifully with a sweet and juicy mango to create a tantalising fusion brimming with fruity flavour.
Who would like this?
Fruit fans looking for a lively burst of flavour are going to love this one. The balance of sweet and sour flavours brings a wonderful depth that is constantly rich but never overbearing.
Fast acting flavour releaseAccurate fruit representationHarmoniously balancedCan’t fault this oneFruit lovers and fans of sweet and sour tropical flavoursFlavour Profile: Mint
First impressions
I was surprised at how icy this flavour is. The first 5 minutes hit me with an intense coolness that out did Tacja’s Freezing Ice. It was unexpected but not unwelcome and gradually mellowed into a crisp mint reminiscent of freshly picked leaves.
How long does the flavour take to develop?
As I said, the ice hit is almost immediate. Sweet mint follows at about the 5 minute mark and fully develops into a frost-kissed menthol around after about 15 minutes.
How long does it last for?
Tacja Mint lingers on the palate for a good half hour before slowly winding down. It’s never overwhelming, sustaining a wonderful balance of cool minty sweetness throughout most of the usage.
Is the flavour accurate?
Tacja Mint is sweet with herbaceous notes washed over with a crisp icy freshness that invigorates the palate with green and leafy undertones chilled to perfection.
Who would like this?
This would suit lovers of strong mint and ice flavours.
Surprising addition of iceFresh mint tasteLong lasting flavourNot everyone’s a fan of ice, so it should be mentioned on the packagingLovers of strong mint flavours and bracing iceFlavour Profile: Menthol
First impressions
Another icy one, although expected, Tacja Menthol is a bright and breathtaking hit of coolness followed by a fresh burst of peppery menthol flavour. A sweet note of candy mint developed on my tongue & combined with the cool and spicy menthol localised around the pouch to make this an exciting flavour.
How long does the flavour take to develop?
Menthol doesn’t waste any time at all. A strong tingle of ice activates as soon as the pouch is placed and the flavour builds into an arctic breeze laced with bright peppermint menthol in under 5 minutes.
How long does it last for?
Tacja Menthol peaks after about 20 minutes. The flavour culminates in a bracing blend of spicy menthol, sweet mint and chilly ice. Following that, the sweetness takes over and the last flavour to go is the ice which dissipates right at the end of the 45 minutes that I used this pouch for.
Is the flavour accurate?
The only thing that Tacja Menthol has going against it is that it's a little too sweet. I would have liked the sharp and fiery menthol note to linger a little longer, as the flavour mellows a little. This is still a good menthol flavour though, with a good amount of ice.
Who would like this?
If you’re looking for a stimulating burst of lively menthol then this is the pouch for you. Vibrant mint fused with a bite of ice make this the strongest mint flavour in the Tacja collection in my opinion.
Fast acting flavour releaseBright, fresh flavourLong lasting & accurate mentholA little too sweet for a menthol, but its a minor gripeAnyone looking for a palate cleansing experience with a strong mentholFlavour Profile: Spearmint
First impressions
Surprisingly this one is quite spicy at first. A strong peppery note lingered at first, which I chalked up to the nicotine release. Eventually my persistence was rewarded with the distinctive flavour of mild and moreish spearmint. It is a lightly sweet flavour that I found to be initially dominated by spicy mint (?) note, which does eventually fade.
How long does the flavour take to develop?
I was a bit worried after 5 minutes when I still couldn’t taste anything but a spicy tingle. Shortly afterwards though, I could taste a pleasant note of refreshing spearmint. The flavour builds over time to become the dominant flavour at around 15 minutes.
How long does it last for?
Thankfully Tacja Spearmint builds in sweetness to a gentle crescendo that is fresh and soothing on the palate. I think the flavour reaches its height after about 25 minutes and then very gradually mellows. It was enjoyable throughout the full 45 minutes I used it.
Is the flavour accurate?
Yes, this is an accurate spearmint flavour that evokes the taste of freshly crushed leaves. I’m just a bit confused about the pungent peppery flavour which seemed to overwhelm the spearmint note at first.
Who would like this?
If you’re looking for an ice-free mint flavour then I’d recommend Tacja’s Spearmint. Although the spicy aspect at the beginning irked me a little, the overall experience is of a mild and pleasant mint that could easily be enjoyed all day.
Accurate rendering of spearmintNo ice, which makes a nice changeSubtle and deliciousStrange peppery/spicy note detracts from the flavourMint lovers who don’t like ice. Anyone who enjoys a softer mint flavourFlavour Profile: Watermelon
First impressions
I think fruit flavours are where Tacja really shines. Don’t get me wrong, their mints are top notch, but most of the fruit flavours I’ve tried so far have been on another level. Watermelon Ice shows this off really well. The flavour is instant, fresh and wonderfully chilled with just the right amount of ice.
How long does the flavour take to develop?
This is a very aromatic pouch that releases its flavour immediately. It peaks within 10 minutes and releases a glorious amount of fresh fruit flavour.
How long does it last for?
I was impressed with the duration of this Tacja’s Watermelon Ice. Strong watermelon notes lingered throughout the 45 minutes of use. The ice fades a little towards the end, but I hardly noticed that.
Is the flavour accurate?
Watermelon Ice illustrates Elf Bar’s expertise on capturing fruit flavours. I found the flavour to be accurate and packed with a sweetness that tasted fresh and juicy. The addition of ice rounds it off with a refreshing crispness, remaining one of a hot summer's day.
Who would like this?
If you’re looking for a richly sweet fruit flavour that’s refreshing at the same time then you’ll love Tacja Watermelon Ice. It is very sweet, but the flavour is accurate and the ice cuts through the sweetness and balances the flavour delightfully.
Immediate burst of flavourTrue-to-taste watermelonSustained flavour throughout useMight be a little too sweet for someFans of intensely sweet summer fruit blended with an icy hitConclusion
We’ve reached the end of our exploration of Tacja nicotine pouch flavours. From the delightful burst of fruit Watermelon Ice to the refreshingly layered Freezing Ice, Elf Bar’s Tacja range offers a diverse selection of flavours catering to various tastes and preferences. Whilst some flavours, like Cherry Ice may fall short of expectations, others, such as Lemon Mango, stand out with their vibrant and accurate profiles.
For those seeking a discreet, tobacco free way to enjoy nicotine, Tacja pouches provide the perfect solution. They deliver consistent flavour and a range of nicotine strengths to suit both new and experienced users. Whether you prefer the sweet complexity of Blueberry Sour Raspberry or the bracing coolness of Menthol, there’s a Tacja pouch to meet your needs.
Ready to experience Tacja for yourself? Save yourself a bundle with a multi-buy mix and match nicotine pouch deals right here at Alternix. Pick any 3 of your favourite flavours for only £10!
Thank you for joining me in this review journey. If you've enjoyed this Tacja flavour review and would like to read more, take a look at our Zyn nicotine pouch review and find out how good they actually taste. Stay tuned for more in-depth reviews and insights on the latest nicotine alternatives!
Disclaimer: The content presented on www.alternix.com is for informational purposes only and is centered around nicotine pouches and heated tobacco products—alternatives to traditional smoking methods. The information provided on this website, including blog posts and social media interactions, is not intended as medical advice, nor should it substitute for professional medical guidance or treatment.
