SOWING

An unusual feature of the sowing of tobacco is that sand and ash are added to the seed. The reason is quite simple: as the seeds are so tiny, it is the only way to mark the ground where they have been planted. The following step is to water the ground and cover the bed with rice hay to protect the seeds from direct sunlight and from the wind, as well as avoiding excess loss of moisture.
 
 
 

HARVESTING

 
 The harvesting is done by hand, cutting at the several foliage layers, as the leaves ripen at differing times. The first to be ready to pick are the lowest levels. The pickers then work up to the topmost layers.
There are six layers, as shown on the left.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

TYPES OF PLANT

In Cuba there are two different types of tobacco plants. On one hand is the native variety, known as the Criollo or Creole variety, and on the right, the variety known as Corojo.
 

TYPES OF TOBACCO

The COROJO plant produces only one type of leaf, known as the Capa or outer wrapper, which covers the cigar, giving it its external appearance.
The Capa leaves are classified by their colour: Claro (light), Colorado Claro (light ruddy), Colorado (ruddy) and Maduro (ripe).

The production of this leaf is the most costly of all, as it requires a special process consisting of covering the Vegas or fields with white awnings to protect the plants from direct sunlight. This is known as tabaco tapado, or covered tobacco.

The CRIOLLO plant produces the other three types of leaf used in Havana cigar production: the Ligero or light leaf, the Seco or dry leaf, the Volado leaf, and finally the Capote or binder. The upper leaves on the plant have the highest concentration of nicotine, with the strongest flavour and are known as the Ligero leaves. The middle of the plant gives the tobacco known as Seco, which features a good balance between flavour, aroma and combustibility. Finally, we come to the lowest part of the plant, from which are obtained the leaves with the mildest bouquet and the best combustibility, called the Volado and the Capote. The latter are obtained from the middle-lower part of the plant.

The filling (the innermost part of a cigar) includes ligero, seco and volado tobaccos, the proportion of which will depend on the blend to be obtained. This is one of the most closely guarded secrets of each maker, as this will define the character of each cigar. The main function of the binder is to hold together the filling, as well as facilitating its combustibility. Finally, the outer leaf wraps the cigar and gives it its outward appearance.