Oriental Tobacco

Oriental tobacco is the shared name for small-leaved, sun-cured tobacco varieties; it is also known as "Turkish tobacco." This name comes from the fact that the traditional production basin remained under Ottoman rule until the end of the 19th century. Rich in aromatic oils and sugar and low in nicotine, the leaf is considered one of the most important flavoring tobaccos for both the cigarette industry and pipe blending.

Characteristics

The first thing that sets Oriental tobacco apart from American varieties is the plant itself: unlike the broad leaves of Virginia, the Oriental plant produces a far greater number of small leaves, most 4-15 cm long. The harvested leaves are strung on cords and cured outdoors in the sun (sun-cured). Being rich in oil, the small leaf concentrates its aromatic compounds during this process; the result is a spicy, lightly sour-sweet character reminiscent of perfume. The plant is generally grown in unirrigated, arid soil, and it is believed that these "dry farming" conditions also enhance the leaf's aroma and quality.