Tobacco Zones around the world

Although many countries have tried to grow tobacco, the appropriate weather conditions still can not be reproduced in a laboratory. The productions obtained in Mexico, Cuba and the Dominican Republic are no doubt the most appreciated in the world.

The tobacco plant of Don M. Blanco cigars is cultivated in Veracruz México in San Andres, Tuxtla.
 
 

The original tobacco plant possessed only three varieties in the Nature: Virginica, Brasilensis and Habanensis. Later experiments carried out in different regions and by different professionals, gave origin to multiple varieties which were the result of crossings, hybridization and adaptations of a particular species to the different growing areas. The distinction among the varieties that emerged is basically connected to the place of origin of the seed, its adaptation to the land and climate, and more radically to the treatment that the leaf receives in the fermentation process.
Tobacco apt for the production of fine cigars must be either air dried, or dried in humidity and temperature controlled chambers. Other varieties may be sun dried but in all cases the leaf must be fermented.


The tobacco’s acidity level is set by the fermentation and the degree of difference is fundamental in the determination of its quality. Therefore, tobacco called “ligero” needs more fermentation than “volado“ (“ligero” and “volado” being basic types of filler tobacco), and tobacco destined for the “wrapper” requires a more delicate process or semi-fermentation process which, according to the type of leaf, will preserve its resistance and natural elasticity.

The fermentation process of the leaves also makes them lose a great part of their nicotine.
Also, there are controlled crossings in different countries being constantly carried out in order to obtain derived species of a larger size, more resistance and better productivity. The dedication of different professionals in many countries around the world has led to the development of different strains that have improved the efficiency and the qualities of the best varieties, and has obtained the alchemic formula that a perfect tobacco leaf requires, whose final destination is the production of a premium cigar.