What is fermented tobacco?

The most common and widely used technique for cigar tobacco fermentation is stacking the tobacco in short, dense piles known as pilones. The tobacco is laid on top of each other in these piles for a set period. Due to the weight and pressure, the tobacco is slowly heated up, which starts to break down the ammonia.

What temperature does tobacco ferment at?

110-115 degrees
As the process takes place the temperature is carefully monitored. Temps in the pile should reach 110-115 degrees but the pilons must be ‘turned’ as soon as they reach optimal temperature. This process can go on for weeks or even months, until the tobacco is ready.

Are cigarettes fermented?

Tobacco fermentation is a crucial part of cigarette processing, which is affected by fermentation temperature and period. However, the appropriate fermentation conditions of different varieties of tobacco leaves are different.

Do I need to ferment tobacco leaves?

After being harvested and cured, tobacco is not fully stabilized and can not be kept long at this stage. It must be fermented.

How do you cure Cuban tobacco?

During the time it spends in the barn cigar tobacco cures, changing from green to yellow to brown, in a process known as curing. Water moves in and out of the plant during this time, gradually drying the leaf. After curing, the tobacco is taken from the barns for fermentation in pilones or bales.

Is fermenting tobacco necessary?

It is necessary to cure tobacco after harvesting and before it can be consumed. Tobacco curing is also known as color curing, because tobacco leaves are cured with the intention of changing their color and reducing their chlorophyll content.

Do you have to ferment tobacco?

After being harvested and cured, tobacco is not fully stabilized and can not be kept long at this stage. It must be fermented. Fermentation is a complex process but in simple terms one can say that it is a transformation of the chemical components by oxydation.

Is pipe tobacco fermented?

Fermentation or sweating is usually applied to air-cured tobacco used for pipe or cigar smoking. It is characterized by a high initial moisture content of the tobacco (which may reach 50070), by a natural heat generation and by a 10 to 20070 loss in dry weight.

How long does tobacco take to cure?

Burley tobacco is air-cured by hanging the leaves in well-ventilated barns, and the tobacco is allowed to dry over a period between four to eight weeks. Oriental tobacco is sun-cured by hanging the leaves outside into the sun for about two weeks.

Can you smoke green tobacco leaves?

Curing tobacco has always been a process necessary to prepare the leaf for consumption because, in its raw, freshly picked state, the green tobacco leaf is too wet to ignite and be smoked.

Can you dehydrate tobacco leaves?

Find a well-ventilated shelter for drying, typically a barn or shed. The leaves need to be protected from direct sunlight, rain, and wind for drying. A barn, shed, or garage would work well for this. You could even dry the leaves in your home, as long as you have the space — just be sure the air isn’t too dry.