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10 Top Tips On Curing Tobacco
Tip #1: The longer tobacco cures the better it will be. Curing tobacco involves letting the tobacco dry in a way that allows for certain chemical reactions to occur. This is what turns a tobacco leaf from the green plant into the brown mix found in the cigarettes you buy. Not allowing a long enough cure time (between four to five weeks at the very least) will not produce the results expected and may foul the experience of growing tobacco. Tip #2: Cure tobacco in a warm, humid place that allows for air flow. When you buy cigarettes you get tobacco that has been grown and cured in large barns and allowed to dry. A humongous tobacco barn is not necessarily needed when curing tobacco. Any area such as a shed or garage will work just fine. Humidity is not needed for growing tobacco but it is needed for curing tobacco. While humidity is required, an unreasonably high humidity level is not needed. The United Kingdom has ample humidity to allow for growing tobacco in nearly all locations. Air flow is needed in curing tobacco because it dries out the tobacco. Dry tobacco means it will cure and that it will not promote the growth of mould. Tip #3: Always check curing tobacco for mould. Mould will grow anywhere there is warmth and moisture. Both of which are present when curing tobacco. Check curing tobacco from time to time for mould and, if mould is discovered, remove it. Mould will impair tobacco curing. Imagine if you were to buy cigarettes and discover they contain mould, the same goes with curing tobacco (and growing tobacco for that matter) that will later be smoked. Tip #4: Observe tobacco leaves for colour change. A colour change will take place when curing tobacco. The leaf will change in colour to brown from green, with a yellow stage in the middle. Colour change is a sign that your tobacco leaves are curing as normally. Tip #5: Tobacco leaves should change colour within a week. This is the ideal time to expect the leaves to change colour appropriately when curing tobacco. If tobacco does change colour before this it is indicative that they are drying out too quickly. To combat leaves from drying out too quickly, simply move them to a cooler area as well as spray them lightly with a fine mist of water. Tip #6: Hang tobacco on a pole or some other similar type of object to allow for curing. After growing tobacco has been completed it is necessary to prepare the leaves for curing. To do this cut a slit in the bottom end of the leaf. Hang the leaves on a pole or stick in a garage, barn, or other out of the way storage area so that tobacco curing may begin. Tip #7: When hanging tobacco so that it may cure, make sure to leave space between the leaves. When growing tobacco space is important, the same is true when curing tobacco. Leave enough space between leaves so that they do not touch. Leaves that touch increase the chance for mould to form when curing tobacco. Tip#8: After curing the tobacco they may be tied and hung in bunches. The term "after curing the tobacco" is somewhat misleading. Remember, curing tobacco is not something that necessarily ends; it actually gets better with time. When the tobacco has nearly dried it may be bunched into groups (roughly a dozen) and tied into bunches. Allow the tied bunches of tobacco to hang and the process of tobacco curing can continue. This way you are able to hang more tobacco with using less space. Tip#9: After four to five weeks tobacco will be ready for use. Curing tobacco is a process that could last for years. Like wine, it gets better with time. If you are anxious, you have paid close attention to growing tobacco, you have taken the time to inspect for mould, watched as your tobacco is cured, and now cannot wait to smoke a home grown cigarette, you do not have to wait for years it will only be four to five weeks from the time you began curing to the time you will be able to shred, roll, and take delight in a smoke. Tip #10: Curing tobacco (and growing tobacco) can be done in the United Kingdom!! This tip was mentioned in tip #2 but must be reiterated. Tobacco can be cured and grown in the United Kingdom. Even though other parts of the world are noted for their tobacco, curing tobacco is not exclusive to those regions. Do not mistake geography as a barrier. Tobacco can be cured with ease in the United Kingdom and the cigarette produced from it will be as good as any produced anywhere else in the world. Growing tobacco is only one step towards enjoying a great tasting cigarette. Curing tobacco is the next and very essential step in the entire process, a process that can take place in the United Kingdom as well and with as much ease as anywhere else. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Graham is the Founder of The Little Tree Company and The Little Tree Community Gardens Project, if you want to learn more about Curing tobacco, growing tobacco or buy cigarettes for yourself visit our website. www.tobaccoplants.co.uk" target="_new">www.tobaccoplants.co.uk/ |
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