The Fundamentals of Tobacco Blends
In continuing our tradition of demystifying the smoking culture, this article provides general information concerning tobacco blends.
Tobacco blends are separate from tobacco varieties. While tobacco varieties are the various strains of the tobacco plant, tobacco blends are the several ways these varieties may be blended.
Note that there are no rules on the proportions of tobacco varieties needed to create a blend. Besides, there are no official definitions of the constituents of each blend. It is for this reason that debates and disagreements arise.
Regardless, the pipe-smoking community shows some consensus and significant historical examples of specific blends.
Therefore, it’s important to note that the following premier tobacco blends are not exactly standard in the industry:
Tobacco blends are separate from tobacco varieties. While tobacco varieties are the various strains of the tobacco plant, tobacco blends are the several ways these varieties may be blended.
Note that there are no rules on the proportions of tobacco varieties needed to create a blend. Besides, there are no official definitions of the constituents of each blend. It is for this reason that debates and disagreements arise.
Regardless, the pipe-smoking community shows some consensus and significant historical examples of specific blends.
Therefore, it’s important to note that the following premier tobacco blends are not exactly standard in the industry:
- Scottish Tobacco Blends
- Oriental Tobacco Blends
- English Tobacco Blends
- Balkan Tobacco Blends
- Aromatic Pipe Tobacco
- American Tobacco Blends
We’ll briefly consider a couple.
Oriental Tobacco Blends
If we consider the name, such pipe tobacco blends usually comprise of several varieties of Turkish and Oriental tobacco. They often contain Latakia as a significant ingredient.
Many blends consist of several Oriental tobaccos. As a result, Oriental blends are likely to feature a significantly higher proportion of its native tobacco.
While straight Oriental tobacco is rare, it is available. In any case, in a quest for the good stuff tobacco, most will use some Virginia to improve the combustion and balance of flavors.
Aromatic Pipe Tobacco
While aromatic pipe tobacco is listed as a blend, aromatics and non-aromatics are two of the most significant elements available. The difference between them is surprisingly small.
Aromatic tobaccos are often considered to be flavored blends. This means they are usually linked with casing and top-flavoring. These are conditioning methods.
But, the bulk of today's tobacco is cased to the same extent during processing. The reason is that tobacco, in its natural form, rarely presents a pleasant smoke.
During casing, tobacco is soaked in a soup of flavorings. The soup includes sugar, licorice, alcoholic spirits, and molasses. After it has absorbed the sauce, the tobacco is sealed in large cylinders. The resulting flavors are deeply absorbed into the tobacco as it loses moisture and dries.
Aromatic tobacco generally comprises blends that have undergone a more intensive casing process to provide improved flavoring. While not mandatory, they may also have top-flavoring proprieties.
Conclusion
Tobacco smokers are unstoppable when they’re looking for that good stuff. It does matter to them the tobacco’s brand blend. It might seem trivial, but it’s only trivial to the uninitiated.
Oriental Tobacco Blends
If we consider the name, such pipe tobacco blends usually comprise of several varieties of Turkish and Oriental tobacco. They often contain Latakia as a significant ingredient.
Many blends consist of several Oriental tobaccos. As a result, Oriental blends are likely to feature a significantly higher proportion of its native tobacco.
While straight Oriental tobacco is rare, it is available. In any case, in a quest for the good stuff tobacco, most will use some Virginia to improve the combustion and balance of flavors.
Aromatic Pipe Tobacco
While aromatic pipe tobacco is listed as a blend, aromatics and non-aromatics are two of the most significant elements available. The difference between them is surprisingly small.
Aromatic tobaccos are often considered to be flavored blends. This means they are usually linked with casing and top-flavoring. These are conditioning methods.
But, the bulk of today's tobacco is cased to the same extent during processing. The reason is that tobacco, in its natural form, rarely presents a pleasant smoke.
During casing, tobacco is soaked in a soup of flavorings. The soup includes sugar, licorice, alcoholic spirits, and molasses. After it has absorbed the sauce, the tobacco is sealed in large cylinders. The resulting flavors are deeply absorbed into the tobacco as it loses moisture and dries.
Aromatic tobacco generally comprises blends that have undergone a more intensive casing process to provide improved flavoring. While not mandatory, they may also have top-flavoring proprieties.
Conclusion
Tobacco smokers are unstoppable when they’re looking for that good stuff. It does matter to them the tobacco’s brand blend. It might seem trivial, but it’s only trivial to the uninitiated.
