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Post by sperrytops on Mar 6, 2019 14:05:57 GMT -5
I read somewhere that when cigar leaf is aged it loses much of its Nicotine and Ammonia. That is part of the reason why aged cigar leaf is more expensive (other than storage cost). I have not read anything like that about pipe tobacco. Any good information on that?
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jitterbugdude
Junior Member
Posts: 229 
First Name: Randy
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Post by jitterbugdude on Mar 6, 2019 14:29:30 GMT -5
Burley is basically the same as cigar leaf. It is air cured then aged. The same aging process occurs in both type of leaf. Virginia is basically cooked (flue cured) as soon as the leaves are stripped from the stalk. It is then aged like Burley and Cigar leaf, allowing ammonia to escape and make for a smoother smoke. All three go through a fermentation stage after they are cured. Cigar leaf goes through an intense one while Burley/Virginia go through a much more mild one (called "sweating"). It is the fermentation/sweating that drives most of the ammonia out of the leaf. Aging for a year or three allows the rest to dissipate via enzymes and/or bacteria. There's a whole lot of science that goes on in the aging process. Burley growers, for example plant low converter seeds. These plants are naturally low in Tobacco Specific NitroseAmines (TSNAs) that are thought to cause cancer. Cigar growers use "regular" seeds. The quick and high temperature of flue curing kills the enzymes responsible for converting Nicotine (and its other 3 metabolites)into TSNAs.
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Post by sperrytops on Mar 6, 2019 14:31:49 GMT -5
Great information, jitterbugdude, thanks for sharing.
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Post by trailboss on Mar 6, 2019 15:06:44 GMT -5
Good question, great response!
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Post by roadsdiverged on Mar 6, 2019 16:51:07 GMT -5
I have nothing to add except the same thing Charlie said
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