The making of smoking tobacco

Tobacco is an organic product, so in order to refine the tobacco its natural qualities must be understood. Each individual lot of leaf tobacco is assessed, test smoked and examined by our leaf tobacco buyers before the tobacco is used in the production of pipe tobacco and fine cut rolling tobacco.

Throughout the year, the leaf buyers from Scandinavian Tobacco Group travel round the world to tobacco auctions. All purchasing is done in collaboration with local buyers who know the tobaccos, the local languages and conditions, and the basic rules of tobacco auctions. Before purchasing at the auctions the tobacco has been examined and test smoked by the leaf buyer.

Preparation of the production

Weighing. In order to make a basic mixture the selected leaf tobaccos are weighed. Up to five different leaf tobaccos and 20 different grades can enter in a basic mixture. But up to 30 different grades can enter in the final mixture, which may consist of several basic mixtures.

Moistening with water and steam is the first process for the leaves after storage. The leaves are dry and fragile and crumble easily. The moisture makes the leaves strong and flexible for undergoing the many further steps in the production of the smoking tobacco.

Casing is the first refinement of the leaves’ natural aroma. Sugar, cocoa, liquorice and other natural flavourings form a part of the basic mixtures. Subsequent flavouring adds further taste nuances to the tobacco.

Storing of the tobacco leaves in the casing lasts for 24 hours. This allows the aroma to fully permeate the tobacco, so that it is maintained in the final blend for a long time. Further processing of the tobacco leaves from here differs widely depending on the characteristics of the final pipe tobacco or rolling tobacco product.

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