cigar history and production

Processing Cuban Tobacco Leaf

Processing Cuban tobacco leaf can take many months, and sometimes years, before the leaf is ready to be used in production for a cigar. The first step is perhaps the most crucial one that is taken. This is the air curing of the recently harvested tobacco leaves. It helps to remove all the moisture from the leaves and gradually gives the leaves a nice golden brown color for which it is known.

Most of the curing is done by very traditional methods. This means the leaves are simply hung in traditional tobacco houses. The leaves are strung together by thread and hung next to each other as they rest on large sweepers. The light allowed into the houses must be adjusted on a constant basis. This allows for a much more natural variation of temperature and humidity allowed into the house, which the leaves need in order for the curing to occur properly.

May 3, 2013

brendan

in Cigar 101, History and Production, Latest Posts

How a Habano is Made

Once the growing and curing processes have been completed, it is time for the work to begin in making a Habano. There are certain parts that need to be prepared properly before the cigars can begin to be rolled. This preparation is done with great care and by those with vast experience in working with tobacco.

First, the layers must be prepared. All the leaves have already been properly aged, so the first process to be done is a de-stemming of the leaves. Once this has been completed, the sheaves of forty or fifty sheets are finely sprayed with just pure water. The leaves are hung on racks while this is done to be sure that it is all done evenly and absorbed properly.

May 3, 2013

brendan

in Cigar 101, History and Production, Lifestyle

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