China Voodoo 2018 Air-cured and Rajangan

[Alpine]

Yes, that link quotes a book from 1906, at that time cultivation of Beneventano was tried in other places but the results were rather poor. And yes, probably “infuocatura” was introduced to cope with poor curing conditions. As for the quality of the leaves cured that way... I honestly have no idea, but for certain air cured leaves will not have that acetic fermentation that made Beneventano so unique. When I’ll have the seeds I’ll be glad to send them to anyone who might be interested.

pier

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

Yes, that link quotes a book from 1906, at that time cultivation of Beneventano was tried in other places but the results were rather poor. And yes, probably “infuocatura” was introduced to cope with poor curing conditions. As for the quality of the leaves cured that way... I honestly have no idea, but for certain air cured leaves will not have that acetic fermentation that made Beneventano so unique. When I’ll have the seeds I’ll be glad to send them to anyone who might be interested.

pier

Thank you.

Like Charly, I was taken aback by the admission of lesser quality. I still plan on trying it, just to see. It will increase variety too. And who knows, maybe it will be even different, by another level, and better after subsequent kilning.

 

[deluxestogie]

I think that some of the statements in older literature of "better quality" or "lower quality" were based on less than comparable data. For example, Constantanides (writing in the early 20th century) states unequivocally that Xanthi Yaka is superior to Xanthi Djebel, since the latter was grown higher on the Rhodope slopes of Greece. Today, the Bulgarians, heavily invested in Djebel varieties, claim that Djebel is always superior to Yaka. It depends to a large extent on who is growing it, where, and under what conditions of growth and curing. (Also, based on the character of Bulgarian cigarettes that I sampled ages ago, the Bulgarians prefer an edgier, more aggressive taste in their tobacco.)

Bob

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

I think that some of the statements in older literature of "better quality" or "lower quality" were based on less than comparable data. For example, Constantanides (writing in the early 20th century) states unequivocally that Xanthi Yaka is superior to Xanthi Djebel, since the latter was grown higher on the Rhodope slopes of Greece. Today, the Bulgarians, heavily invested in Djebel varieties, claim that Djebel is always superior to Yaka. It depends to a large extent on who is growing it, where, and under what conditions of growth and curing. (Also, based on the character of Bulgarian cigarettes that I sampled ages ago, the Bulgarians prefer an edgier, more aggressive taste in their tobacco.)

Bob

Careful, Bob. You may inadvertently feed my optimism.

 

[Charly]

Bob may be right, perhaps was it considered of lower quality at this time... the only way to know is to try it

I wonder, maybe we can achieve the same kind of fermentation by just using very wet leaves in a simple kiln (with temperature set on 60°C / 140°F instead of our standard 50°C / 120°F) for a couple days ?

 

[deluxestogie]

One might guess that methods used a century ago, but have since been abandoned, were found to be inferior. The basic process described sounds like an inaccurate description of common Caribbean methods of pile curing. I would just toss it into a kiln @ 120-130°F for a month. Enzymatic oxidation is enzymatic oxidation.

Bob

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

Bob may be right, perhaps was it considered of lower quality at this time... the only way to know is to try it

I wonder, maybe we can achieve the same kind of fermentation by just using very wet leaves in a simple kiln (with temperature set on 60°C / 140°F instead of our standard 50°C / 120°F) for a couple days ?

I don't think it necessary to create that environment. I've picked leaves in the rain enough times to know that piled wet, it will heat up.

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

One might guess that methods used a century ago, but have since been abandoned, were found to be inferior. The basic process described sounds like an inaccurate description of common Caribbean methods of pile curing. I would just toss it into a kiln @ 120-130°F for a month. Enzymatic oxidation is enzymatic oxidation.

Bob

When this method is described, there is always mention of acetic acid production, so I don't think kilning will duplicate it, even at the same temperature. Because the leaf is of very different composition at the time, being green, fermentation creates different products.

 

[deluxestogie]

I agree. I wasn't even considering how you get the leaf from green to dead. (Acetic acid? Is that what we want?)

Bob

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

I agree. I wasn't even considering how you get the leaf from green to dead. (Acetic acid? Is that what we want?)

Bob

Perhaps, because the environment in the area is so humid, allowing acetic acid to build up lowers the pH enough to make the tobacco resistant to mold during the drying stage of curing. That seems to be implied.

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

Yay, tobacco is in the ground! Different from previous years, I planted rows so they run north/south. I also abandoned the square-ish spacing I have done previous years, and gone close within rows and far between rows. It seems to be what they do in Canada, and seeing as I've never tried it..... Some Samporis got squeezed into the front yard by the corn, and I read more about okra and decided it was pointless to grow it, so I put some KY17 in that box in the front yard. The rustica (Isleta Pueblo) is in the alley. Over all there is Samporis, Kasturi, Nostrano Gentile, Goose Creek Red, KY17, and Isleta Pueblo. I don't have room for all the TN90LC I planted.

 

[deluxestogie]

That's always a good feeling, when you got the tobacco in the ground.

Bob

 

[CobGuy]

A beautiful site to be sure!

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

A beautiful site to be sure!

Thank you. I agree. I wish I had had the time to get them in sooner. The forecast isn't as nice as it has been the last few weeks.

 

[mwaller]

Nice work, ChinaVoodoo! How about a close-up of the Goose Creek Red?

 

[Charly]

Congratulations ChinaVoodoo !

I have planted a good quantity of my tobacco, but still have some plants that are waiting ! I am eager to finish this step !

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

Nice work, ChinaVoodoo! How about a close-up of the Goose Creek Red?

You certainly are a fan of the Goose Creek!

 

[mwaller]

You certainly are a fan of the Goose Creek!
View attachment 23720

Nice, thanks!

 

[burge]

A month ago it was freezing and 2 ft of snow. Amazing next couple of weeks are just going to be average car said 31 celcius today.

 

[Levi Gross]

Glad to see your out of the winter blitz and into growing plants! It looks great China.