The world of pipe and roll-your-own tobacco is very rich and diverse. The online store purocigars.ru will help you understand the names of nabaks, taste differences, and methods of drying and cutting tobacco.
So...
There are several “main” varieties of tobacco, on the basis of which various and innumerable mixtures are then prepared. The ratio of the main varieties (their quantitative proportion) in tobacco determines its taste properties and unique aroma.
Virginia
This is the most famous tobacco in the world. Virginia accounts for 70% of all tobacco produced in the world. The name of this variety comes from the name of the former British colony founded by Sir Walter Raleigh, and named after Queen Elizabeth I of England. Currently, tobacco of this variety grows not only in the state of Virginia, but also in other parts of America, Asia, Africa, South America and Europe. Virginia tobacco has a high sugar content, which contributes to its pleasant taste. The nicotine content can vary from 1 to 3.5%, 2% is the average. After harvest, the leaves are dried in special barns, where they remain for approximately 3-5 days. Further processing is carried out by sales agents. The leaves undergo a fermentation process for 1-2 years and then are separated from the stems. Before sale, they are sorted by color and quality, resulting in raw materials for pipe tobacco manufacturers. This type of tobacco is often used as the basis for any
mixtures, although it smokes well in its pure form. Virginia tobacco has a subtle, delicate sweetish taste that is pleasant to feel in the mouth.
It is the mildest of all tobaccos and is used in almost all tobacco blends due to its good burning properties.
Pure virgin tobacco (without impurities) most often comes in the form of flakes. A prime example is Dunhill Light Flake (medium strength, quite sweet taste), Rattray brand tobacco is quite mild, Marlin Flake is a heavyweight representative of the family of pure virginia tobaccos (strong), the taste remains consistently sweet.
Burley
Burley is a relatively young tobacco with a wonderful aroma and is therefore often used for aromatic purposes. The second most popular pipe tobacco. Burley grows in Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio. It is low in sugar, high in nicotine (1.5 - 4.5%), and burns slowly for a cool smoking experience. Often added to mixtures that tend to burn quickly and violently. Burley also has a rich, rich, nutty flavor. The technical term for burley tobacco is "air-cured" tobacco. Air drying is carried out in open barns, where air currents circulate freely, for a month or two. The color of Burley tobacco varies from light brown to mahogany.
In its pure form, Burley tobacco is produced mainly by American and Danish companies. Blue Edgeworth, Old English and Half-and-Half tobaccos are classic examples, the latter being lightly flavored. Burley is also the main ingredient in most McBaren Danish tobacco blends.
Another air-cured tobacco often used in various blends is Maryland tobacco.
Tobacco - Spice (Spice Tobacco)
This is not one type of tobacco, but a fairly large group of specific types of tobacco, which are usually added to mixtures in very small quantities to add piquancy to the taste. These include Oriental, Latakia, Perique and Kentucky, most of which are often used in English blends.
Oriental tobacco
Oriental tobacco grows in Greece, Bulgaria, Syria, Yugoslavia, Albania, Romania and southern Russia, also partly in Italy, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq and Israel. The most famous types are Izmir, Samsun, Yedidje, Cavella and Bursa. A distinctive feature of this variety is the small oval leaves of pale yellow color with a sweet aroma and taste. (another source indicates a dusty, dry, slightly sour taste and aroma). This tobacco is also used to produce exotic cigarettes in Egypt and Arab countries.
Latakia
Named after a small Syrian port town, Latakia tobacco grows primarily in Turkey and northern Cyprus.
Latakia - This type of tobacco is obtained through a tobacco drying process that includes fire drying (the leaves are dried over fires of aromatic woods and herbs). It is one of the most famous spicy tobaccos, mainly growing in Cyprus and northern Syria. After the leaves have been removed from the tobacco plant and dried, they are hung in hermetically sealed barns and dried over a fire. Small smoldering fires of oak and pine logs fill the barn with thick, aromatic smoke, and the leaves absorb the aroma.
Latakia has a very rich, rich taste and a “smoky” aroma. Latakia is an essential ingredient in traditional English mixtures; its content can vary from a few percent to 40-50% or more. Not many smokers like to use this type of tobacco in its pure form (100% Latakia), such smoking will be harsh and harsh, and not because the tobacco is strong, but because it burns and dries out the mouth and throat.
Both Dunhill and Rattray offer a large range of Latakia tobaccos. Prominent examples: Dunhill 965, Early Morning and London Mixture from Dunhill, as well as Red Rapperee and Black Mallory from Rattray. Bengal Slices is a unique flake tobacco with a significant amount of Latakia tobacco, a very pleasant blend if you like this type of tobacco.
Perique
Like Latakia, Perique is a very specific tobacco. It grows exclusively in the area of southern Louisiana near Mississippi. Produced in small quantities; less than 100,000 kg per year, and the price is high. During the growing season, the top part of the plant is trimmed, leaving about 10 leaves on each. The remaining leaves will contain more nicotine and aromatics.
Perique is processed similarly to Burley, but for a shorter time. Then the leaves are placed under a press in large oak barrels with plum juice, spices and fruit pulp, and they undergo a fermentation process (fermentation). This process lasts at least one year. The result is a blue-black aromatic tobacco with a high nicotine content.
This rare type of tobacco burns slowly and has a very strong, rich taste. Perique cannot be smoked in its pure form; it is added to tobacco mixtures in very small quantities, no more than 5%. It is usually mixed with Virginia tobacco to give it strength and richness. “Escudo” is a good example of Virginia mixed with Perique. Elizabethan Mixture is a good example of a Virginia blend with just a hint of Perique.
Kentucky
This is actually a specially processed Burley tobacco, named after the American state of the same name. This tobacco can be found in the USA, Malawia, Tanzania, Italy, Poland and Indonesia. It, unlike Burley, is dried by fire, and the resulting peculiar “smoked” aroma is unique and very pleasant. The nicotine content is quite high, and tobacco is used in limited quantities. Dutch Drum and Samson Zware cigarette tobacco contains Kentucky. African Kentucky is sometimes used as a spice and mixed with Virginia.
Cavendish
Cavendish was originally developed by English tobacco firms. This is more a method of processing tobacco than a variety. Cavendish can be made from any type of tobacco (mainly Virginia and Burley). The English original Cavendish is made from Virginia tobacco with a small content of aromatic additives. Prominent representatives of English Cavendish are: Rattray’s Dark Fragrant and Black Virginia, as well as Maduro from McConnel.
To produce Cavendish, a mixture of different types of tobacco is usually pressed into slabs for further fermentation, then various flavorings (syrup, liqueur, etc.) are added to give the tobacco a piquant and sweet aroma. The Cavendish tiles are then cut into small cubes, which in turn are cut into thick and thin flakes. Black Cavendish is a dryer version of regular Burley tobaccos from Tennessee and Kentucky, as well as some dark air-cured tobaccos from central Virginia. Such tobaccos are often flavored with various impregnations and herbs. Modern Cavendish can come in a wide variety of flavors: cherry, vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, Irish coffee....
CUTTING METHODS
Before mixing, the tobacco leaves are crushed and moistened, then, if the tobacco is aromatic, the necessary additives are added: sugar, syrups, liqueur or rum, cocoa, fruit extracts, vanilla, etc. Repeated grinding gives the product its final form. By chip size pipe tobaccos divided into thin (chips 0.4--0.6 millimeters), medium (about one millimeter), with wide chips (1.5--2.5 millimeters) and coarse (up to 3.5
millimeter). It is believed that the thinner the shavings, the higher the rate of tobacco combustion, but much depends on the smoking style and the moisture level of the tobacco. English-made tobaccos generally have higher moisture levels. In any case, tobacco should not be too wet or too dry: both prevent its long-term storage.
After grinding, “dark” tobaccos are additionally “toasted” at 200--300 degrees Celsius to improve the aroma. Some aromatic additives are introduced into the mixture only at the last stage of its preparation.
Most pipe tobacco is sold already ground to make it easier for the smoker to fill the pipe. Existing types of tobacco grinding, more or less uniform, differ in size, color, appearance.
The main types of cutting (or shavings) of tobacco are considered:
* coarse chips (shag)
In the 19th century, shag was the coarsest type of tobacco cut, but nowadays it is a fine cut of Cavendish tobaccos.
* twisted shavings
With this type of slicing, the tobacco leaf is twisted into a “twine” and then cut into thin twisted slices
* flakes
Flakes are the most commonly used type of tobacco processing. The tobacco is first pressed tightly and then cut into thin layers.
* ribbon shavings (ribbon)
Also known as long shavings. Most English bagged tobaccos are of this type, as they contain quite a lot of Virginia tobacco. This tobacco consists of fairly long ribbons and therefore burns well in the pipe.
* granulated tobacco (cube)
The main granulated tobaccos are Burley tobaccos. Due to its thickness and high content moisture, tobacco burns much worse than others.
* ready-rubbed
Compressed and then ground tobacco. Designed for the convenience of smokers - this tobacco makes it easier to fill the pipe. Sold as is most pipe tobaccos
Tobacco drying methods
The taste of the final product greatly depends on the drying conditions. 
After initial drying, tobacco can be divided into four types, the division occurs according to subsequent processing methods.
Air drying
Such tobaccos are first aged outdoors under shelters, and then fermented in large bundles. During fermentation, a chemical reaction occurs in the leaves, resulting in a mild flavor and reduced nicotine levels.
Smoke drying
Immediately after collection, tobacco leaves are hung in closed pavilions and dried with circulating warm air. This very rapid drying process gives the leaves a yellowish tint. Flue-cured tobacco is sometimes used in pipe blends.
Sun drying
After harvesting, tobacco leaves are collected into garlands and hung on fresh air for drying. This drying method is used mainly for oriental tobacco varieties. These hanging garlands can be seen while driving through the territory of Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey and Russia on the shores of the Black Sea.
Fire drying
This type of tobacco is dried over an open fire, and this fire and the smoke from it give the leaves a special taste. This method is most often practiced in the USA (Kentucky, Tennessee), Italy, Poland, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. This strong and pungent tobacco
After drying, “light” tobaccos are stored for ripening, long term, then they are dried again, cooled, treated with steam, pressed, and the central veins of the leaves are separated. "Dark" and "oriental" tobaccos undergo fermentation after drying. There are different methods fermentation, but the essence of them all is that when storing leaves in massive bales, their temperature rises, and further oxidation occurs with the destruction of chlorophyll, reducing the sugar and nicotine content. To prevent the leaves from heating up too much, they are “turned over” from time to time. Many types of tobacco undergo not one fermentation, but two or even three. As a result of fermentation, the aromatic properties of tobacco and its consistency are improved - the uniformity of the composition ensures more uniform combustion. That is why tobaccos that have gone through several stages of fermentation are classified as tobacco of the highest class.
Additional information
In most cases, a mixture of several types of tobacco is smoked in a pipe. The basis of the mixture is traditionally two varieties: Virginia and Burley, individually or in combination. Additional components or seasonings are superimposed on this base in various proportions: cavendish, latakia, perique, as well as a group of varieties combined into the group of Oriental tobaccos. Each tobacco has its own unique properties, so after the mixture is ready, it must be aged so that the aromas and tastes of the tobaccos mix with each other and form a single picture. Often, for the same purposes, tobacco mixtures are pressed and subjected to additional heat treatment.
Virginia
The most common variety of tobacco, it grows almost everywhere and is used in the vast majority of tobacco mixtures. The birthplace of this variety is the USA, and today it is there, in the states of Virginia and Carolina, that the best examples grow. Virginia is dried either outdoors, in barns or under tents, or in special chambers under the influence of temperature. Dried tobacco is fermented and often aged. The longer the processing lasts, the darker, more aromatic and rich it becomes. Light Virginia is a sweet, mild variety with pronounced fruity tones and medium nicotine content.
Burley
This type of tobacco grows in the USA, Mexico and, oddly enough, in Ukraine. It is very dry and not at all sweet, giving a slow and hot smoke. In its pure form, this variety barely smells of chocolate, caramel and nuts. But the main advantage of burley is its ability to absorb a wide variety of additives. That is why, after drying and fermentation, it is usually flavored with honey, molasses or other ingredients. Like Virginia, burley is used as a base for pipe blends; often the two varieties are mixed together. Kentucky burley differs from the classic one in having wider leaves and special processing technology. It is dried over smoldering coals - this gives the tobacco a smoky and even smoked tone. It is strong and resinous, so it is used only as an additive (but not more than 20 percent in the mixture).
Cavendish
Cavendish is simply burley or virginia tobacco that has been specially processed. To be very precise, a whole family of tobaccos. When preparing Cavendish, dried tobacco leaves undergo a long fermentation, after which they are mixed with molasses. If burley is used as a base, flavorings are added. The result is a very soft tobacco with a thick, rich aroma. These properties are even more pronounced in tobacco called Black Cavendish. Dark Cavendish is produced only by Virginia leaves are fermented for a particularly long time, several times, and then pressed and aged. This gives the dark cavendish its characteristic spiciness. Cavendish is used as an additive - it is very common in mixtures in England, Scotland and Denmark.
Latakia
Latakia is the name not only of tobacco, but also of a port city in Syria. It is in Syria, as well as in Cyprus, that the bulk of Latakia is produced today. The bush of this tobacco variety is low, up to 20 cm, with small leaves. It is cut off entirely, the stem along with the leaves, and also sent entirely to dry. Latakia is dried indoors, hanging from the ceiling over smoldering coals; the best species are oak, cypress and pine. Fermentation does not last long. Tobacco acquires specific aroma, similar to the smell of a smoldering fire, with tones of smoke, grass, wood. The taste is very deep and rich. As a rule, no one smokes Latakia in its pure form, but a small percentage of it is included in most classic blends. The maximum share is 50% otherwise Latakia will overwhelm all other components.
Perique
Perique is perhaps the most expensive type of tobacco on the planet. It is grown near New Orleans, on the banks of the Mississippi, in Louisiana. On a plantation, some leaves are cut off from tobacco bushes. The remaining ones grow larger, with a high content of resin, nicotine and aromatic substances. Then the perique is only slightly dried so that the leaves do not lose all their juice. After this, they are placed in barrels and fermented in own juice, like cabbage. Fermentation period: at least one year. The creator of perique, Frenchman Pierre Chenet, borrowed this technology from the Choctaw Indians. Translated from their language, the word perique means “prick.” During the time spent in the barrel, perique becomes an incredibly strong tobacco with a sharp, pepper-like taste and a bright spicy aroma. Perique is added to the mixture no more than 2-3 percent it is too vigorous.
Oriental tobaccos
This group includes several dozen varieties. All of them grow in the eastern part of the Mediterranean: Greece, Macedonia, Turkey. As a rule, they are first mixed with each other, and only then added to the tobacco mixture. Oriental tobaccos are dried in the sun, which makes them very dry. Their leaves are small, high in sugar, nicotine and aromatics. Their taste is sweet and their aroma is slightly spicy. Most often, oriental tobaccos can be found in English and Scottish blends.
Types of slicing
Once upon a time, all tobacco was sold in the same form - cut into thick pieces. Such tobacco had to be prepared based on the characteristics of their pipe and personal wishes: crushed, kneaded, and only then smoked. Today, practically nothing is required from the smoker; there are several standard types of cutting pipe tobacco.
Shag
Thinly sliced tobacco across the leaves. Most often, Cavendish-based mixtures are cut this way. This tobacco is very juicy, and often goes out; fine cutting compensates for this deficiency, ensuring even burning. The shag cut makes the smoke dry and a little hot.
Ribbon / Long cut
Essentially the same as shag but the leaves are cut crosswise rather than lengthwise. As a result, the tobacco pieces turn out to be thin and long. The long cut is used for Virginias and provides a slow, smooth burn with cool smoke.
Wild Cut
All tobaccos included in the mixture are cut differently. The juiciest ones are cut into thin strips to burn better, the dry ones are cut wider to burn slowly. As a result, the mixture burns as evenly as possible, even if it contains completely different tobaccos.
Plug/Cake/Navy cut
The desired grades of tobacco leaves are mixed with molasses and flavorings in a centrifuge-like device. The leaves stuck together are sent under powerful pressure for the whole day. The pressure is such that the stack of tobacco is reduced several times from its original height. After this, pressing is repeated, but with less force, and the tobacco is sent for aging - also under a press, now quite gentle. The finished mixture is a plate. Before smoking, you need to cut and mash the tobacco yourself. When pressed, it stores well.
Ready rubbed
Shredded tobacco pressed according to all the rules. Coarse grind.
Flake
Pressed tobacco, cut into neat thin slices.
Round cut / Spun cut
Rare and expensive type of cut. Tobacco leaves are twisted together and wrapped in a wrapping leaf. The sausage is fermented and aged whole, and then cut into rounds - essentially cylindrical pieces. The circle can be crushed, or you can throw it whole, flat on the bottom of the pipe; smoking will be no worse from this.
Cube/Chop Cut/Cross cut
Diced compressed tobacco. Very small cubes are called Cross cut. This type of tobacco lasts longer, but smokes worse
Friends, many novice smokers of quality tobacco often do not know the main types of tobacco used in tobacco products.
Now we will analyze them in more detail and give the main characteristics.
BESOEKI
A cigar-type tobacco variety, also known as Bezuki, grown primarily in Indonesia. Best characteristics reaches the plantations of the island of Java. In cigar production it is used as a cover sheet.
BRAZILIA
Strong tobacco, also known under the brand name “Flor Fina”. Widely used in combination with Java and Kentuky varieties.
BURLEY
It has a low sugar content, so during processing it is sometimes saturated with flavorings based on honey, molasses, vanilla sugars or glucose, fructose. It burns slowly and when smoked has a characteristic aroma with nutty, caramel and chocolate notes. Most often it undergoes primary processing using the air drying method.
CAROLINA
South Carolina tobacco. Large-leaved, sweet, with a slight sourness, it has characteristic fruity notes in taste and aroma.
CAVENDISH
Tobacco got its name in honor of an English sea captain, who, in order to save space during transportation, once decided to compact tobacco in rum barrels. Upon arrival in England, the barrels were opened and it was discovered that the pressed tobacco, saturated with the smell of rum, repeatedly heated in the hot tropics and cooled during storms, became much better and more aromatic.
Essentially, it is tobacco (or a mixture of tobaccos) that has undergone double or multiple fermentation, resulting in a reduced nicotine content in the leaves. Freed from some undesirable ingredients, they acquire an exceptionally mild taste and delicate aroma.
There are American-type Cavendishes, usually based on air-dried Burley, prepared with a large amount of molasses and flavorings and treated with high pressure steam; Dutch blends - Cavendishes, usually consisting of American, Puerto Rican and Indonesian tobaccos, quickly matured in special fermentation chambers under carefully controlled temperature, pressure and humidity under the influence of catalytic additives; spicy aged Danish Cavendishes from Virginia and Burley tobacco varieties and natural Cavendishes, most often from Virginia tobaccos, the preparation process of which is reminiscent of the processing of Perique tobacco.
During the processing process, the leaves are repeatedly pressed, transferred, steamed and dried until they lose a significant part of the nicotine, proteins and starch. Some manufacturers press at high temperatures. Dark Cavendish - Black Cavendish is an integral component of many English, Scottish and Danish tobacco blends.
CIGAR LEAF
Aromatic tobaccos used in blends of the French, Swiss and Dutch flavor groups. The most valued tobaccos are from Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Nacaragua, Honduras, Ecuador, Sumatra, Java, Jamaica, Mexico, Cameroon, the Philippines, and American tobaccos from the states of Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Florida, Ohio and Georgia. In pipe blends, they are usually combined with other cigar varieties of tobacco.
DARK FIRED
The variety is a close relative of Virginia tobacco, but is darker, has more sweetness and a stronger aroma. Sometimes used with the addition of aromatic herbs.
DUBEC
Asian small leaf tobacco. Depending on the microclimate, agricultural technology and processing method, it can produce raw materials of different aromaticity. Grown mainly in Turkey, it is also cultivated in Macedonia, Crimea and on the black soils of the Krasnodar region.
HAVANA
A variety of Cuban tobacco with the smell of famous cigars. It is also used for pipe tobacco mixtures.
IZMIR
Tobacco from Turkey, from the Aegean coast. It is characterized by low nicotine content, high sugar content and exceptional aroma. Greek Izmir-type tobaccos are known as Smirna.
JAVA
Cigarette-type tobacco, not very strong, is often used in pipe blends in combination with Brazilian varieties. Burns evenly. The most important component of Dutch Cavendish.
KENTUCKY
Large-leaved variety, bred in Kentucky, stronger and darker, smoke-dried, with the smell of dried plums. It is so strong that no more than 20% of it is added to the mixture.
LATAKIA
An Asian variety of tobacco grown in Cyprus and Syria (Latakia is a port city in Syria). The plants are low (12-15 centimeters), small-leaved; unlike other varieties, when harvesting, it is not individual leaves that are cut off, but the entire plant at the root. Smoke-dried hardwood sawdust (most often oak, myrtle and cypress) acquires a dark, almost black color, which gives classic English tobacco blends their characteristic odor.
Syrian Latakia is characterized by a richer taste and aroma. Tobacco of the same variety, depending on the microclimate, agricultural technology and processing method, may differ in properties. The difference between Cypriot and Syrian latakia is also determined by the different composition of sawdust used in the processing of tobacco leaves.
MACEDONIA BRIGHT
Small-leaved light tobacco that adds a sweetish, nutty aroma to mixtures. Grown in Greece, Bulgaria and the countries of the former Yugoslavia. Pairs well with Latakia tobacco.
MADURO
Dark brown air-cured tobacco leaves that have undergone long-term natural fermentation. Most often used as a wrapper for cigars and cigarillos, as well as in combination with other tobaccos as part of pipe mixtures.
MANILA
A variety of cigar tobacco grown in the Philippine Islands.
MARYLAND
Tobacco grown in the US state of Maryland. Light, light, air drying. It is considered neutral in taste and smell, due to which it has become the basis of many flavored tobacco mixtures, and burns well.
ORIENTAL
Tobacco varieties cultivated in the Balkans, in the countries of the Black Sea region and the Mediterranean region (English oriental - eastern, Asian). Most often they have oval and arrow-shaped small leaves of yellow-green, olive or light brown color. Traditionally, they undergo primary processing by drying in the sun, in the open air. It has a high sugar content and essential oils, which gives them a sweetish but piquant taste and aroma. Depending on the selection and region, each variety has many variations, among which there are both basic - skeletal (main) tobaccos, and pronounced seasoning tobaccos. Pipe mixtures typically use compositions from different varieties. Such varieties of tobacco are also grown in Moldova, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, and Iran.
PERIQUE
This tobacco is grown only in the US state of Louisiana, on moist soils along the banks of the Mississippi. Air-dried and press-fermented according to the Indian method, this piquant tobacco, almost black in color, imparts a specific taste and aroma to many famous blends. Named after the Frenchman who studied Indian methods of preparing it.
SAMSUN
Tobacco comes from the Black Sea coast (Samsun is a Turkish port city). It is grown almost everywhere in the Balkans, Asia, and Ukraine. Small, but very dense and elastic leaves with a high sugar content are distinguished by a delicate, soft aroma. In Asian (oriental) mixtures they are used to harmonize and better combine aromatic components.
SUMATRA
Indonesian large-leaf cigar tobacco varieties of the highest quality. Often used as wrapper leaves for cigars and cigarillos. The most popular tobaccos are Deli, Langkat and Serdang.
TURKISH
This name includes aromatic Asian and semi-Asian varieties of tobacco, which are often used in English and Scottish classic tobacco blends. These are sweet, savory, sun-dried tobaccos.
VIRGINIA
A variety of tobacco named after the oldest British colony on the American continent. It is also cultivated in other states (Florida, Georgia, both Carolinas), South Africa, Canada, India, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, China. He also conquered Europe.
This large-leaved and sweet variety is the basis of most tobacco mixtures, although it is also smoked in its pure form, without the introduction of other ingredients. The characteristics of tobacco depend on selection, soil, microclimate, and processing method. Most often, primary processing is drying in heat with hot air. Recently, to speed up the technological process, drying in chambers is increasingly being replaced by steam treatment, but such tobaccos are not used in pipe tobacco mixtures.
Fragrant, aged leaves of Virginia varieties with a clean, sweet taste with fruity notes - Matured Virginia.
Golden leaves of Virginia tobacco varieties dried in a fire tube are called Gold Virginia.
Red Virginia - red speckled leaves of Virginia tobacco, high in natural sugars for which Africa is famous. The basis of many classic tobacco blends.
Stoved Virginia - leaves of Virginia tobacco varieties, dried in a fire tube and darkened as a result of treatment with high pressure steam. They have a less pronounced aroma than Matured Virginia and fresh fruity and chocolate notes in the taste.
ZIMBABWEAN ORANGE
Virginia tobacco, dried in a flame tube, with a high content of natural sugars and an islandy taste with fruity notes. It burns well.
There are a huge variety of tobacco varieties. Below are varieties suitable for our climate:
Virginia 202
Variety of the Krasnodar Institute of Tobacco and Makhorka. Early ripening, it gains strength and aroma very well. Resistant to many diseases. High in carbohydrates. Adapted to growing with virtually no watering. Very reliable and unpretentious.
This variety belongs to dark Virginias, which have a darker mahogany hue, rich aroma and medium strength. At home, fire drying can be replaced by solar drying. Drying in a greenhouse or between window frames gives good results; in hot weather, the main thing is to provide moisture with containers of water. The longer the Virginia leaf is processed and fermented, the darker, more aromatic and rich it becomes. Even in our conditions, this variety consistently grows to two or more meters and has a leaf size of about seventy centimeters, second only to Burley in these indicators. The ripening period is medium-late, but with timely planting it ripens perfectly by the end of September. When ripe, the leaf acquires a pronounced speckled yellow color. Traditional planting pattern: 70x30 cm.
Virginia Gold
Virginia is the sweetest type of tobacco in the world. Mainly used in the bag of factory-made cigarettes (70% of the entire bag, forms the basis) and pipe mixtures. The variety comes from America, Virginia. Currently, it is grown throughout Western Europe and Russia. Golden Virginia is the easiest to grow, suitable for central Russia, because it has resistance against tobacco diseases (tobacco mosaic disease, etc.). Also very good for beginners (easy to control maturity). It is best to grow in open sun rather than in the shade. As the leaf turns yellowish-green, it is removed. Gives a very large yield of raw materials. The variety is medium late, ripens by mid-August. Grows quickly, likes moderate watering. The bush is "dense". The length of the leaves reaches 60-65 centimeters or more. The stem is thick, about 4-5 centimeters in diameter. Bush 200-220 centimeters high. Flowers range from pale pink to bright pink. The seeds are small. The smoke aroma of this variety is bright, with a slight sourness, fruity and sweet due to the large amount of sugars. The combustion is excellent. The strength is average. Fire drying is recommended (duration about 4-5 days), after which the leaf acquires a light yellow, light brown color, but in our conditions it can be replaced by solar drying, with a complete loss of chlorophyll. The longer the drying time, the darker and stronger the leaf becomes, with a rich aroma. To fully develop the taste, fermentation is required, the more the better (from six months to a year).
Herzegovina Flor
Tobacco with a unique taste and aroma. People call it “Stalin’s Tobacco”.
It has achieved popularity due to its highly productive, taste and aroma qualities, as well as its medium-moderate strength. Great for smoking in a pipe and for stuffing cigarettes. Used both in various bags and separately.
It is unpretentious in cultivation, reaches a height of more than one and a half meters. The leaves are among the largest in size for the semi-aromatic type. Due to the instability of the variety, in certain conditions mutations up to three meters high are observed. Such giants were popularly called Duke, but to consolidate such useful property so far it has not been possible. An important feature of the variety is that it does not tolerate accelerated and artificial fermentation and fully exhibits all its qualities only after at least six months of aging. Planting pattern: 70x25.
Dukat Crimean
Crimean tobaccos have always been highly aromatic. And in the Middle Zone they showed their best side. The plants are large. Leaves are up to half a meter long. Easily fermented.
Dukat Crimean is very popular among domestic amateur tobacco growers. It is unpretentious in cultivation, quite early ripening. The bush is low, but dense, the leaves are up to fifty centimeters long, and have a regular oval shape. Unlike other varieties, the leaves ripen before the color appears, so their harvesting begins in July. The readiness of the sheet is determined by the appearance of a light yellow border along the edges. Combined sun-shade drying is used for the variety. One of the features of Dukat is that it does not tolerate accelerated and artificial fermentation. This variety was originally bred for cultivation on the territory of the USSR, and therefore is quite resistant to climate conditions even in Central Russia, although in the north it loses a little in aroma.
Planting pattern: 70x20 cm.
Kentucky Barley
Kentucky Barley tobacco naturally has a pleasant nutty aroma. This sets it apart from other varieties of tobacco, which must go through a difficult and long fermentation process before use, especially difficult for novice tobacco growers.
Burley is the #1 tobacco used in the cigarette industry. In the United States, it is grown primarily in eight states. Approximately 70% is produced in Kentucky.
What characterizes this variety? The Burley variety contains a low amount of sugars and a high amount of essential oils. The nicotine content in the leaf varies from an average amount to very high levels. Many lovers of this tobacco call Burley a chameleon - Burley is able to “dissolve in the tobacco mixture, absorb the aroma of its surroundings - other types of tobacco.” Indeed, Burley is capable of accepting 20-25% of its own weight in flavorings. Canada once restricted the import of cigarettes containing Burley due to its high flavoring content.
This variety inherently contains a high percentage of nicotine. In our conditions of central Russia, it does not pick up much nicotine, and this is also ideal for growing.
Moskovskaya shag
A subspecies of tobacco, differing from Nicotiana tabacum in its smaller height (up to 120 cm) and greater strength. Country Tobacco received its botanical name for its widespread distribution and ease of cultivation. Almost no care is required, with the exception of topping and pinching. The peculiarity of this variety is that it is tobacco for those who were too late to plant other varieties in early spring. It is not too late to plant shag even in June, and immediately into the soil, that is, without seedlings, and it is guaranteed to produce a harvest by September. However, to obtain high-quality raw materials, it is still better to plant it as seedlings, but two to three weeks later than tobacco. Unlike tobacco, shag is completely unpretentious and grows quietly from the southern regions all the way to the Arctic Circle. Another feature: shag is cut off as a whole bush and dried in this way. In order for languishing to begin right at the root, a few days before cutting, layering is used, that is, the stem is cut in half. When preparing shag, the stem (badyl) is also important. In crushed form, it is added to fermented leaves to reduce the strength. Thus, shag can be smoked separately, but many people prefer to add it to various tobacco mixtures to give them a special aroma (especially pronounced in this variety), and also give strength to Virginia tobaccos. Even for non-smokers, shag has a use as a means of controlling plant pests and moths. Planting pattern 50-70x20 cm.
Maryland - Maryland Tobacco
Maryland is one of the three main varieties of the American subspecies of tobacco, just as Burley belongs to the Maryland variety, different from Virginia. It ranks third in terms of planting volume in the United States and is also grown in other countries. In Russia, this tobacco has been grown since 1828.
The Maryland tobacco variety is a light variety. The color of the finished raw material is dark brown.
The taste is restrained, has a fine texture and excellent flammability. Used for all cigars and cigarettes of traditional French taste. The amount of nicotine is low. Light, light, air drying.
High yielding, early date maturation. Resistant to diseases.
It is unpretentious in cultivation and easily adapts even to the climate. central Russia, although it does not live up to the results here at home. On average, the height of the plant in our climate is 1.8 meters, the leaf length is up to 50 cm. Mid-season, produces flowers relatively early. In case of topping, it produces many stepsons and needs to be removed. It is resistant to tobacco diseases better than many varieties, which is important when growing independently. The leaf is dense, normally green, needs to be simmered, but yellows relatively easily. Shade-cured tobacco. Fermentation or aging is highly desirable for the full development of flavor. Traditional planting pattern: 70x30 cm.
Holly 316
Late-ripening form, intensive type of leaf maturation. Low nicotine content. From planting to the last ripening of leaves, 120 days.
The shape of the plant is cylindrical with protruding leaves. The leaf is sessile, long, broadly elliptical, light green. Technical sheets 30-37. The variety is mid-late ripening, skeletal type. Flowering begins on day 108, leaves of the first tier ripen on days 80-85. The variety is resistant to downy mildew and tobacco mosaic virus. The inflorescence is round, medium compact. The pommel is slightly pointed. The leaf swelling is average. The edge of the leaf is smooth or very slightly wavy. The corolla of the flower is light pink. Nicotine content is 1.0-1.5%, Schmuck number (the ratio of carbohydrates to proteins) is 3.0.
Turkish Trebizond
It got its name from the Turkish city of Trabzon. Resistant to unfavorable growing conditions. Ripens quickly.
Turkish has long been successfully acclimatized to Russian and Ukrainian conditions. And successful zoning is far from the last thing for growing tobacco. It is quite possible that due to long-standing cultivation in our humid climate and rich soil, it reaches incredible sizes for a typical Oriental (up to three meters in height, according to Ushakov), but it is also quite likely that this is a hybrid that successfully combines high productivity of American varieties with the aroma and sweetness of orientals. In any case, there is no need to chase size and over-fertilize Turkish: due to excess nitrogen, it becomes very strong and loses its aroma. But with proper cultivation, the variety has a rich, independent aroma with chocolate notes and medium strength. When smoked, it produces white thick smoke. Turkish can be used in a pipe and rolled as a single tobacco, but it gives best results in a bag with skeletal American varieties. It is easily leached and does not require special fermentation. And although now Turkish is gradually being replaced by foreign varieties, it still remains very popular among gardeners. Planting scheme according to Ushakov 100x70 cm.
Presented now in various types.
Types of tobacco
Most tobacco blends are based on two types of tobacco: Virginia And Burley. Other types of tobacco can be added to them in small quantities, providing additional taste and aromatic properties. In order for the tastes and aromas of the components of the mixture to mix and form into a single composition, after mixing it is subjected to aging under certain conditions.
Tobacco varieties Virginia (Virginia) is the most prized throughout the history of tobacco. To this day it is the most used base tobacco for pipe blends. Popularity Virginia based on the high content of natural sugar and aromatic substances in its leaves. These natural ingredients give tobacco a sweet and aromatic taste.
Variety Burley (Burley) is known for its low sugar content, to the point that its leaves contain no natural sugar at all. Tobacco Burley It has a strong aroma, burns well in the pipe, and light shades of cocoa are discernible in the taste. It does not have the sweet taste of tobacco varieties Virginia.
Kentucky (Kentucky) - large-leaf tobacco, bred in the USA in the state Kentucky, strong and dark, dried by smoke, with the smell of prunes and a pronounced smoked aroma. It is so strong that no more than 20% of it is added to the mixture.
Oriental (Oriental) are several dozen unpretentious varieties of tobacco that can grow in infertile soil and arid climates. Found mainly in the eastern Mediterranean. Leaves oriental tobaccos contain a large amount of aromatic oils, due to which this type of tobacco has a unique tart taste and a strong oriental aroma. These are sweet, savory, sun-dried tobaccos.
Perique (Perique) is the rarest and, accordingly, the most expensive tobacco in the world. In tobacco mixtures Perique acts as a spice, adding 1-2% - it is so strong and hot. The aroma and taste that gives Perique tobacco composition is usually described as fruity with a predominant taste of plum and fig, and at the same time mushroomy, spicy, pungent, slightly acrid. It is so varied that it can exhibit noticeable woody notes and slight sourness.
Variety Latakia (Latakia) is of Syrian origin. After drying in the sun, the tobacco leaves are treated with smoke, absorbing aromatic substances from it. Latakia is a type of tobacco used only as a seasoning, as it has a very powerful and spicy taste. Most pipe smokers find smoking difficult Latakia in its purest form.
Cavendish (Cavendish) is not a type of tobacco, but is the result of a special method of processing tobacco Virginia And Burley. Most common production methods Cavendish is the pressing of tobacco with simultaneous heating, or heating of tobacco using a jet of steam.
Dark Cavendish (Black Cavendish) – a more aged, fermented look Cavendish, usually flavored with various essences, fruits, herbs, etc. As a result of processing, tobacco acquires a black color (hence the name), becomes softer in strength, and sweeter. Dark Cavendish– the softest of all the listed tobaccos, do not be fooled by the color and think that this is a strong tobacco.
Types of cutting tobacco
Tobacco cutting method affects the taste of the tobacco mixture, its burning rate and ease of filling. Below are the standard tobacco cutting types.
Loose Cut (Luz Kat) – cutting uncompressed tobacco into strips. Thanks to this cutting, the tobacco is crumbly and exceptionally easy to stuff. The cutting width varies from very fine to coarse. Very fine cut mixture Shag (Step), also called Fine Cut (Fine Cut) is tobacco cut across the leaves into thin fibers about 0.5 mm wide. Mainly used for rolling papers and small pipes. Blends based Cavendish It is often cut in this way, due to the tendency of this tobacco to go out due to increased juiciness, and thin cutting eliminates this drawback and evens out the burning. Slicing Shag makes the smoke dry and a little hot, so the smoker should be careful when smoking this mixture, not allowing the tobacco to burn too quickly. If the tobacco smolders too brightly, the smoke will be too hot, which can lead to unpleasant sensations in the tongue area. Ribbon (Ribbon), or Long Cut (Long Cut) – cutting, similar Shag, but the leaves are cut lengthwise, not crosswise. As a result, the tobacco strips are longer. This cutting creates a smoother and slower burning, and the smoke becomes cooler. Typically used for Virginia.
Plug (Plug) - tobacco pressed into hard slabs 3-4 cm thick. This method of processing tobacco was the most common for centuries, since such tobacco was convenient to transport and store, practically not releasing moisture. Before smoking, the required amount of tobacco is cut from the bar and crushed using the smoker’s preferred method.
Flake (Flake) - tobacco, pressed and cut into small thin slices that retain freshness for a long time. Thanks to pressing, tobacco combustion occurs more slowly, resulting in a lower smoke temperature and a fuller, milder taste. The complex process of pressing, heat treatment and storage emphasizes the individual flavor nuances of tobacco, and individual slices or particles of tobacco become a mixture in themselves. This type of tobacco requires some attention, both when stuffing and when smoking the pipe.
Cross Cut (Cross Cut), or granulated tobacco- American cut, characterized by ease of packing and ease of combustion. In tobacco production Cross Cut The leaves are usually cut longitudinally and then transversely. The result is very small, square tobacco particles with no signs of coloring. Often cut from a mixture Loose Cut And Flake. There is also a variety called Cube Cut (Cube Cut) – tobacco in cubes. In this case, pressed tobacco is simply cut.
Ready Rubbed (Ready Rabbed) – represents tobacco Flake, ground into a mixture of tiny tobacco particles. Thanks to this, the process of filling and smoking a pipe is easy, and everything taste qualities tobacco Flake are saved. There are also other names for it such as Cut Plug, Loose Flake etc. They all refer to the same process.
Spun Cut (Span Kat), aka Rolled Cut Cake (Rolled Cut Cake), aka Curls (Curls) or Curly (Curly) - strands of tobacco cut by this method are made from hand-stretched tobacco leaves into strips with the center vein removed. A large leaf of tobacco is usually used as the outer wrapper leaf. Virginia. Leaves of another tobacco are placed inside it, twisted together into a long strand, and rolled into a rope 20-25 mm thick. The tobacco rope is aged for a certain time, after which it is cut into round slices, otherwise called “coins”.
Mixture (Mixche, medicine), that is, a mixture of cuts - a combination of different types of cuts of the main varieties of tobacco. Typically the mixture contains a substantial portion of tobacco Virginia, sliced using Loose Cut, mixed with Burley, having a cutting type Ready Rubbed. Often added to the mixture dark cavendish (Black Cavendish), which gives it color contrast and softens the taste. Danish blend rubbed out Loose Cut and compressed tobacco, usually also with the addition dark cavendish, to give it a calm and soft taste. Classical English mixture characterized by high content Latakia.
Tobacco blends
There are so-called tobacco schools, that is, groups of tobacco mixtures that have common taste qualities.
American blend (American Blend) – soft and very moist tobacco, usually using a large number of flavoring additives. Most often based on light tobaccos Virginia And Burley, with the addition of dark and tart Turkish Oriental tobaccos, sometimes with an admixture Perica or Latakia. Usually has a cut Loose Cut or kind Mixture.
Dutch mixture- usually flavored Cavendish based on lungs Virginia And Burley. There are also relatively strong unflavored mixtures based on dark varieties of tobacco of Indonesian origin with the addition of strong varieties Virginia. The Dutch mixture is usually cut according to the type Loose Cut.
Danish blend Due to its lightness and aroma, it is the most popular at the present time. Similar to Dutch mixture, but more spicy and sweet. Usually consists of pure light Virginia and flavored spicy Dark Cavendish, prepared separately and mixed. Used as a seasoning Kentucky, Perique or Oriental, sometimes even Latakia. Slicing - most often Flake or Ready Rubbed. Danish blend not too humid, smoking dry with a cool smoke.
English mixture- mostly a mixture Virginia, Burley and other types of tobacco, moist and strong. Unflavored mixtures have a rich, savory taste Latakia And Perica. Scented mixtures smell of flowers and spices. English medicine appreciated by experienced smokers for its natural aroma. As a rule, English mixtures do not become boring over time and, thanks to the even, non-hot burning, do not create problems when smoking. They are also well suited for novice pipe smokers, but they are frightening due to their peculiar, pungent odor. Have cutting Flake or Loose Cut.
French blend- the least common in Russia. Basically it is a strong and very strong tobacco of the type Mixture, due to the content of cigar tobacco in the mixture, the taste is very reminiscent of a cigar, with a large share Oriental tobaccos, giving the taste pungency.
Cigarette tobacco
For making smoking tobacco for rolling papers also, more than one variety is used, but tobacco mixtures.
Roll-your-own tobacco is divided into several main categories:
Zware (Cvar) – dark, fire-dried, very strong tobacco Kentucky with a pronounced smoked aroma.
Halfware (Halfzvar) – a mixture of tobacco Virginia And Kentucky in a 50/50 ratio.
Mild (Mild, soft) – mixture Virginia And Burley with the addition Oriental tobaccos in a ratio of 9:1. Widely known mixture American Blend also of this type: 60% Virginia, 30% Burley and 10% tobaccos Oriental.
Extra Mild(or Ultra Mild) – the component composition of this mixture does not differ from Mild, but is characterized by an even softer and more pleasant taste.
Tobacco selection 
When choosing tobacco, you should focus on your preferences, as well as the time and place of smoking. In the morning they usually smoke softer tobacco, and in the evening stronger tobacco will help you relax after a hard day. If you smoke in the presence of non-smokers, it is better to opt for flavored tobacco to avoid conflict.
In order to find exactly “your” tobacco, you will have to spend a lot of time, sometimes it takes years. If you don’t like some tobacco the first time, don’t rush to part with it forever. After some time, perhaps you will appreciate its taste in a new, different way.
Tobacco storage
Until the original packaging is opened, it is better to store tobacco in it, since it is airtight, and most of the pouches and cans are vacuum sealed. After opening the package, the storage conditions for tobacco depend on the rate at which it is smoked. If you smoke quickly enough and the tobacco does not have time to dry, then it is better to leave it in the original packaging. If you smoke several mixtures alternately, some of them not very often, then it is best to transfer the tobacco into sealed containers. glass jars. Glass coffee jars are well suited for these purposes; you can also purchase containers specially designed for this in specialized stores.
It is better to store tobacco in a cool, dark place.
Tobacco is a plant around which there have been fierce debates for many years: is it beneficial or harmful? But, one way or another, many people cannot give up the bad habit of smoking. The tobacco industry is working at full capacity, but not a single smoker can deny himself the pleasure of taking a puff of strong, home-produced tobacco. This is a fact. But there is another side to the coin: the use of tobacco in medicine and the perfume industry. So this plant still remains a stumbling block.
Description
Tobacco (Nicotiana tabácum) is an annual herbaceous plant of the nightshade family, to which, by the way, everyone’s favorite tomatoes belong.
The stem is powerful, hard, rough, with numerous branched layers. Height – up to 3 m.
The leaves are large, the width depends on the variety: they can be wide or narrow blade-shaped, fleecy. A resinous sticky substance is released on the surface.
The flowers are tubular, white-pink, five-lobed. Inflorescences are elongated and narrow. – small, round.
Story
The first mention of tobacco dates back to Ancient Egypt. In 1976, French scientists discovered crushed tobacco in the cavity of the mummy of Pharaoh Ramses II. Until that time, it was believed that tobacco was cultivated only in pre-Columbian America.
The first Europeans to bring it to Europe were members of Columbus's expedition in 1492.
It should be noted that the Inquisition declared tobacco a “hellish potion” and one of the members of the expeditionary force, Rodrigo de Perez, was imprisoned for smoking. So, society has been fighting this bad habit for many years. But, despite this, tobacco continued to conquer more and more new territories.
In 1556, French missionary Andre Theve brought tobacco seeds from Brazil. They were planted in the greenhouses of Angoulême and took root quite well.
By the way, the Latin name of tobacco “Nicotiania” is given in honor of the man who brought the plant to France - Jean Nicot.
Since 1560, tobacco has firmly settled in Spain at the court of King Philip II and was used as a snuff. Then the plant moved to England and became an integral part of high society.
Peter I brought tobacco to Russia. Imitating the Europeans, he became addicted to smoking. Thanks to this, the cultivation of the plant began in Russian open spaces. And quite successfully.
The popularity of tobacco led to the fact that as a result of breeding work, new varieties appeared: more hardy ones.
Work on developing new varieties is still ongoing. But there remain varieties that are considered iconic, the most sought after for their undeniable qualities.
The most popular varieties
— "Gold Virginia"
