The next time you pick up a cigar, take a moment to admire the science and the art behind it. The process from seed to what you hold in your hand preparing to burn it to ash is a long one. I truly feel that, beyond the aspect of enjoying a cigar, you must respect them, too. Many people have devoted a great deal of time and money to allow you the opportunity to do what you’re about to do… enjoy a fine cigar.

So I thought it would be fun to give you a little insight into how the whole process works over the next few chapters of this little series. Perhaps you’ll come away from it with a new admiration and respect for the marvel you hold in your hand!

Growing and Picking the Tobacco

Tobacco is harvested only once a year at many of the finer growers and makers of cigars. But tobacco seedlings are planted every few weeks so the harvest can be spread over several months. It’s going to take about ninety days for a tobacco plant to develop from seed to picking age. From here, the hand selection and then picking of the leaves begin.

There are three types of leaves, each named based on its location on the plant. The ligero leaves are at the top, the viso leaves in the middle and the seco leaves at the bottom. The ligero at the top is the strongest, because it’s closest to the sun. Viso leaves provide texture and taste and the seco leaves serve as mild filler for the cigars. The plant normally has fifteen to seventeen leaves. Only two or three leaves are picked at a time, and only after they’ve reached full maturity.

Growing tobacco and deciding when to pick it is surely an art requiring years of experience. Constant care of the plant as well as the soil in which it sits is required for a successful harvest. Tobacco pickers are highly trained for their jobs, too. They start picking leaves at the bottom of the plant and work their way up. Each leaf will be inspected for the smallest details. The pickers almost always challenge each other by competing for the best leaf of the harvest.

Coming up next… CURING THE TOBACCO.