Journey of the leaf

In our first issue we explained the intense growing process needed to produce leaves of sufficient quality to produce fine cigars. In this issue we follow the leaf from field to barn

Growing the leaf is just the start of the story, with many patient stages of processing yet to come. Nothing can be hurried.

The diagrams show the path that each type of leaf must take, from the farmer’s curing barn to its final resting place in the warehouse where it will be aged.

Many months and in some cases years will pass before the leaf is ready to make a Habano.

The variation in the time taken to ferment and age the different types of leaf means that the crop from three separate harvests is needed to make Habano.

The first process for the newly harvested leaf, on which the success of the whole crop depends, is a slow and careful period of air curing which removes moisture and turns the leaf by stages to golden brown.

Most leaves are cured in traditional curing barns (casas de tabaco) that depend entirely on the natural effects of the climate. The leaves are sewn in pairs and hung astride poles which are placed on racks in the barn. As the leaf cures, so the pole is raised progressively higher in the racks.

Ventilation and light must be constantly adjusted to allow for natural variations in temperature and humidity.

The 1990s saw a major investment in temperature and humidity control for the curing of the precious wrapper leaves, to overcome the predictable conditions in a conventional barn. This is air curing at its most refined, with optimum conditions replicated around the clock. The time it takes is naturally less. But there is still the need for constant vi.....

To read the rest of this article you can buy this issue or subscribe to Cigar Buyer to have every issue delivered direct to your door.

By Dominic Roskrow

Section : Cigar Production

Page number : 26

Published in Cigar Buyer Issue 2 on 01/11/2004.

This article is 54 months old and some information provided may be time sensitive. Please check all details of events, tours, opening times and other information before travelling or making arrangements.



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	Journey of the leaf In our first issue we explained the intense growing process needed to produce leaves of sufficient quality to produce fine cigars. In this issue we follow the leaf from field to barn Growing the leaf is just the start of the story, with many patient stages of processing yet to come. Nothing can be hurried. The diagrams show the path that each type of leaf must take, from the farmer’s curing barn to its final resting place in the warehouse where it will be aged. Many months and in some cases years will pass before the leaf is ready to make a Habano. The variation in the time taken to ferment and age the different types of leaf means that the crop from three separate harvests is needed to make Habano. The first process for the newly harvested leaf, on which the success of the whole crop depends, is a slow and careful period of air curing which removes moisture and turns the leaf by stages to golden brown. Most leaves are cured in traditional curing barns (casas de tabaco) that depend entirely on the natural effects of the climate. The leaves are sewn in pairs and hung astride poles which are placed on racks in the barn. As the leaf cures, so the pole is raised progressively higher in the racks. Ventilation and light must be constantly adjusted to allow for natural variations in temperature and humidity. The 1990s saw a major investment in temperature and humidity control for the curing of the precious wrapper leaves, to overcome the predictable conditions in a conventional barn. This is air curing at its most refined, with optimum conditions replicated around the clock. The time it takes is naturally less. But there is still the need for constant vi..... To read the rest of this article you can buy this issue or subscribe to Cigar Buyer to have every issue delivered direct to your door. By Dominic Roskrow Section : Cigar Production Page number : 26 Published in Cigar Buyer Issue 2 on 01/11/2004. Subscribe Buy this issue More from this issue Preview other issues This article is 54 months old and some information provided may be time sensitive. Please check all details of events, tours, opening times and other information before travelling or making arrangements. Copyright Cigar Buyer © 1999-2009. All rights reserved. To use or reproduce part or all of this article please contact us for details of how you can do so legally.