brendan - Puroexpress

Harvesting Cuban Tobacco Leaves

The harvesting of Cuban tobacco leaves can be a very laborious process. The harvesting itself must be done by hand, and it can often take thirty days or more to harvest just one single plant because of the particular care needed. This insures that the harvesting is done correctly and that no damage is done to the plant itself.

The leaves themselves are not all harvested at once. Everything must be done at particular intervals to make sure it is done correctly. Harvesting is generally done from the bottom up where the plant is considered. This helps to create a delay in the collection and gives the leaves the proper amount of time to grow and mature.

May 3, 2013

brendan

in Cigar 101, History and Production, Latest Posts

Growing Cuban Tobacco Leaf

The actual growing of the Cuban tobacco leaf is a year-round process that involves many people and several stages. Several fields are planted at different times of the year. This helps to spread the work out over the course of the seasons so not everything is occurring and needs to be taken care of all at one time. While it is a laborious process, the results are well worth it.

Work typically begins during the months of June and July. While this is the hottest time in Cuba, it is also the best time to begin the growing. The time it takes from the actual planting of the seeds to harvesting is generally about seventeen weeks. Those leaves planted in the direct sun can sometimes take sixteen weeks.

May 3, 2013

brendan

in Cigar 101, History and Production

Cuban Tobacco Agriculture

One of the things that the country of Cuba is most noted for is their tobacco culture. While many may think that the entire country is ripe for this type of agriculture and growing, that is certainly not the case. As it is with any type of plant, there is only a certain type of land and atmosphere that is best for this type of growing. Luckily for Cuba, there are several areas within the country itself that allow itself for good growing of this particular crop.

The best type of soil available for tobacco growth is known as Vuelta Abajo. This is the main source that is used for growing Habanos and particularly known for the papers used for Cuban cigars. While this is the popular choice, even this is only used in a small area of the countryside, with less than a quarter of all land being deemed as suitable for growing the type of tobacco that is good enough for Habanos.

May 3, 2013

brendan

in Cigar 101, History and Production

Cigar Making Methods

Every Habanos that is made is constructed with great care. They are made in the traditional methods as they have always been. This means that those made by hand cannot be matched by any that are created through the use of a machine. Very simple tools are used in the creation of these cigars: a wooden board, a guillotine, two cutters, a gum knob made from natural vegetable that is both tasteless and colorless and the stocks. Of course, the most important tool used is the fine hands of the experienced rollers.

Rollers are broken down into four categories. Only the rollers with the most seniority are permitted to make the bigger and more complex Habanos. There are countless years of training and practice needed in order to master this art. Over time, only one thing has really changed in this entire process. As of now, it is mostly women that are involved in the rolling process. Tradition continues today that the rollers have a reader with them to read to them the local newspaper or a book that has been chosen by the group.

May 3, 2013

brendan

in Cigar 101, History and Production

Anatomy of the Cuban Cigar

While each cigar may be slightly different from the next in some ways, for the most part the construction and make-up of the cigar itself remains the same. No matter the specific brand or particular cigar from that brand, the general construct of the cigar is made of the same parts. There is a basic construction and anatomy of the Cuban cigar and each contains three distinct areas that make up the cigar as a whole.

The first part of the cigar itself is referred to as the Tripa, or the Gut. Within this area there are three types of tobacco used to make up the Tripa. Volado is the tobacco sheet that is not as strong as the others. This sheet is particularly known for being able to light well. It is also often referred to as Fortress One.

February 5, 2013

brendan

in Cigar 101