Varieties and characteristics of tobacco varieties

Tobacco smoking came to us from the distant shores of Cuba and America. The old world quickly figured out what is tobacco, how to smoke and grow it. From the article you will learn what kind of tobacco is and what characteristics to focus on when choosing.

Tobacco varieties

Consider the most popularvarieties tobacco by the method of application.

Cigarettes and rolls

If we talk about the types of tobacco used in cigarettes, then there are no specific parameters. Many varieties and varieties of tobacco are used, depending on the brand and value of the product.

Reference. In cigarette production, “reconstituted” tobacco is often used, mainly for low-price cigarettes.

Several varieties are mixed for the production of cigarettes, for example: Virginia, Burley, Oriental and others. The tobacco leaves, from which the rough, tasteless middle was cut, are soaked in special flavors and end up in silage. By the way, the middle is not thrown away, but added to the leaves, which reduces the concentration of tar and nicotine. In addition, it reduces production costs and, consequently, the final price of the product.

The use of one type of tobacco is possible only when making rolls at home.

In the world of roll-ups, everything is much more interesting, here you can distinguish several of the most famous and common varieties:

1. Virginia (Virginia) Is perhaps the most popular variety in the world. Fragrant and sweet due to its sugar content. The leaves are yellow-orange in color, for which the variety was nicknamed “sunny”. Most often there are two types on sale “Virginia”- dark and light. They differ in that the light version is soaked in various sauces, and also has a lower strength than the dark version.
2. Burley (Barley, Burleigh) - has a nutty flavor. There is little sugar in the variety, and more nicotine than in Virginia. In Burley production, you have to sweeten so that excessive bitterness does not spoil the taste. A dense and dry, yet aromatic variety. At thematic exhibitions, he has repeatedly won awards as the best roll-up tobacco.
3. Kentucky (Kentucky, Kentucky) - Burleigh's twin brother, they differ in the way they are processed. Burleigh is "airy" and Kentucky is "fiery." As a result, Kentucky acquires a specific taste and a high nicotine content. Tobacco blend manufacturers do not add more than 1/5 of the total weight. In its pure form, it is consumed by connoisseurs of really strong smoking.
4. Oriental (Oriental) - originally from the Mediterranean. European producers tried to duplicate this variety, but without a specific climate, it turned out only a miserable resemblance. It has a sweet and sour taste and an “oriental” aroma. Suitable for lovers of fragrant and delicious varieties.
5. Latakia (Latakia, Latakia) is a unique variety in every sense. Produced only in Cyprus, dried over a fire using cypress or milta. Latakia is a unique taste, strength and aroma of the tropics.
6. Perique (Parik) is the strongest tobacco. Has a specific aroma. Receives either sharply negative or sharply positive assessments. It is highly recommended to try before purchasing this variety.

Pipe tobacco

Pipe tobacco differs from cigarette tobacco only in cutting. Otherwise, everything that is written above is also true for the pipe.

But still, one variety cannot be ignored: Maryland is a neutral taste and excellent burning. That is why the manufacturers of mixtures love it so much - the variety can be used almost everywhere.

Hookah tobacco

Hookah tobacco also does not differ from cigarette tobacco. The advantage of hookah is that due to various aromatic additives and molasses, the taste, strength and aroma can change in any direction. There is a huge field for connoisseurs here, where you can endlessly experiment.

Cigar tobacco

The production of cigar tobacco is a complex history in which many conditions must be respected. A stable tropical climate is required, constant sun rays, which will give the necessary ultraviolet light. Stable weather and humidity. And the most important thing isfermentation for up to six months.

All this is difficult to reproduce artificially, which makes one interested in brands that have been making cigar tobacco for a long time. The most famous varieties:

1. Havana 142 (Havana 142) - an amazing variety in terms of vitality. It can grow even in temperate latitudes. But for such "vitality" you have to pay with taste. Has a medium strength.
2. Bravyi 200 (Brave 200) - not much different from the previous variety, except that the plant reaches a height of 3 m. Average fortress.
3. Havana Z992 (Havana Z992) - has an average strength or slightly lower. Grows well in European latitudes.
4. Havana 2000 (Havana 2000) - the name corresponds to the year of release. Disease resistant variety. Suitable for most buyers.
5. Havana Gold (Havana Gold) - the most popular variety from the Havana line. Cuban taste and strength, nothing more.
6. Pennsylvania Red (Pennsylvania Red) - rich taste and aroma, deserved love of cigar producers around the world.
7. Zimmer Spanish - interesting primarily for its grape flavor, which diversifies the smoking process. Strong tobacco native to Havana.

If you've noticed, most of the cigar varieties are native to Cuba. The ideal climatic conditions and the experience of several generations have helped Cuban farmers grow the best tobacco in the world.

In the case of cigars, the absolute leader in quality will be tobacco grown on the lands of Vuelto Abajo. No cultivar grown outside this unique plantation can compete with the tobacco from Vuelto Abajo.

Elite varieties of tobacco

Among lovers of strong and tasty tobacco crops, disputes about the elitism of a particular variety do not subside. But we can only talk about the quality of tobacco, because the taste advantages are always individual.

In the case of cigarette, pipe and hookah tobaccos, the list of the most selected and prestigious varieties does not change:

• Virginia;
• Burley;
• Kentucky;
• Oriental;
• Latakia;
• Perique;
• Maryland.

Fragrant varieties of tobacco

Flavored tobacco is valued not for its strength, but for its other advantages - taste and aroma. Traditionally, the main lovers of flavored tobaccos are women.

The most popular flavored tobacco types:

• Virginia;
• Oriental;
• Latakia.

Flavored tobacco blends are also popular. They usually contain natural fruit syrups. Most often, Virginia, Burley and Black Cavendish varieties are taken as a basis in aromatic mixtures. The base tobacco is coated with a sweetener and then sprayed with an alcohol-based flavor.

Strong varieties of smoking tobacco

Strong tobacco is a rather specific pleasure, often appreciated by people who have been smoking for a long time. As for the tobacco itself, it pays for its strength with all the other advantages.

The most common strong varieties are:

• Burley;
• Kentucky;
• Perique.

What varieties of tobacco can be grown at home

If you want to grow tobacco at home, you need to decide on the variety. Here are examples of popular tobacco species that were cultivated back in the USSR and continue to do so with success:

Late, 100-130 days:

• Holly 316
• Refectory Kubanets;
• Samsun 85.

Early, up to 100 days:

• Anniversary new 142;
• Refectory 92.

There are other varieties, including recently bred. But they are little studied, so the result of growing can be unpredictable.

How and in what conditions tobacco grows

Let's consider what conditions are required for growing average tobacco crops.

Disembarkation

First of all, a stable summer temperature of + 30 ° C is required. Such conditions exist in the southern part of Central Russia and the Caucasus, in the south of Ukraine and Kazakhstan.

First, seedlings are planted for a period of 40-50 days. Sowing occurs superficially on damp ground. Optimum temperature for seedlings: from + 25 ° C to + 30 ° C. If it gets colder, the seeds will either sprout later or die altogether.

Important! To speed up germination, you can soak the seeds for three days, saving time will be 7-8 days.

For planting seedlings, the soil temperature must be at least + 10 ° C. This is roughly the end of April or the end of May.

About a week before planting the seedlings, their hardening begins, the watering time is reduced, the seedlings are taught to open air. Planting into the ground resembles planting tomatoes - these are separate holes into which a liter of water is poured.

Tobacco care

The period of growth of the bushes is accompanied by the obligatory loosening of the soil, removing weeds and feeding. Tobacco is watered two or three times a summer. The best fertilizer for him will be cow dung, which will also save the soil from impoverishment.

Pests and diseases specific to tobacco:

• peach aphid;
• blackleg;
• powdery mildew;
• black root rot;
• common broomrape;
• mosaic;
• bacterial hazelnut.

Harvesting begins when the leaves become yellowish or light green in color. Given that the leaves ripen unevenly, harvesting may take longer.

Makhorka, or Rustic tobacco, stands alone here. The makhorka is less whimsical to external temperatures, it requires from + 17 ° C to + 23 ° C. Less fertilizers are required. It is enough to cover with greenhouse film from the wind. The period from seedling to harvest takes 3-4 months, yellowness on the leaves will be an indicator. Leaves close to the ground should be cut first.

Reference. Until recently, makhorka was widespread in all CIS countries, it was grown even in Siberia. Nowadays, it is grown either by individual companies or by private owners in their gardens.

Conclusion

Growing tobacco is a painstaking process that requires special knowledge, effort and time. You should not do this if you are not sure that you can create the right conditions and properly process the finished raw materials.

In choosing the right variety or mixture, it is difficult to follow other people's advice, it is easier to try everything yourself and find the optimal ratio.

And remember: Smoking is harmful to your health!