Cigar wrapper darkening using steam

[defender101]

I recently read that some manufacturers use steam to darken cigar wrappers (more like turn them in to maduro).
Also once I saw in youtube Steve saka saying something like " They put tobacco on cauldrons and cook them to make cheap bundle "Maduro" cigars " , I guess by cooking he basically means like steaming them up.

Does anyone have experience on darkening whole leaf tobacco this way or some other similar way ?
Is there's any chance for steam to damage leaves to a level that it will be difficult to use as cigar wrapper ?

Would love to hear your opinion or experience on this.

 

[deluxestogie]

The steam cooks the leaf into Cavendish, commonly used in pipe tobacco.

Bob

 

[WillQuantrill]

I recently read that some manufacturers use steam to darken cigar wrappers (more like turn them in to maduro).
Also once I saw in youtube Steve saka saying something like " They put tobacco on cauldrons and cook them to make cheap bundle "Maduro" cigars " , I guess by cooking he basically means like steaming them up.

Does anyone have experience on darkening whole leaf tobacco this way or some other similar way ?
Is there's any chance for steam to damage leaves to a level that it will be difficult to use as cigar wrapper ?

Would love to hear your opinion or experience on this.

I am not the most experienced on this forum but I will share from my experience. There is more than 1 way to get darker wrappers. With full sun I leave top half of viso and all ligero leaves on the plant several weeks after topping. They are noticeably darker than already primed leaves of the same variety. I have heard Nick Perdomo in an interview comment on the steamed Maduro's something to the affect of " they are over fermenting the leaves." I've also heard criticism of a certain manufacturer that dyes leaf black to a feaux oscuro but not certain which one. Have an idea though.

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

I am not the most experienced on this forum but I will share from my experience. There is more than 1 way to get darker wrappers. With full sun I leave top half of viso and all ligero leaves on the plant several weeks after topping. They are noticeably darker than already primed leaves of the same variety. I have heard Nick Perdomo in an interview comment on the steamed Maduro's something to the affect of " they are over fermenting the leaves." I've also heard criticism of a certain manufacturer that dyes leaf black to a feaux oscuro but not certain which one. Have an idea though.

I had oscuro wrapped cigars from Bobalu in Austin that you could wipe the colour off with a wet cloth. I believe it.

 

[defender101]

The steam cooks the leaf into Cavendish, commonly used in pipe tobacco.

Bob

Oh I have heard about this cavendish tobacco , and I think some manufacturers use them for cigars also (for some aromatic cigars). But I think they use cavendish as filler tobacco , not wrapper.

 

[defender101]

I am not the most experienced on this forum but I will share from my experience. There is more than 1 way to get darker wrappers. With full sun I leave top half of viso and all ligero leaves on the plant several weeks after topping. They are noticeably darker than already primed leaves of the same variety. I have heard Nick Perdomo in an interview comment on the steamed Maduro's something to the affect of " they are over fermenting the leaves." I've also heard criticism of a certain manufacturer that dyes leaf black to a feaux oscuro but not certain which one. Have an idea though.

Like , how do you want those top leaves to look when they are ready to pick? Like mostly yellow or fully yellow or something ?
I think you meant something like let them ripe a bit more than usual right ?

And do they become noticeably darker after fermenting or already before fermenting ?

Oh yeah , I've heard stories of looking like you got lipstick on after smoking some maduros also Lol.

 

[Knucklehead]

Oh I have heard about this cavendish tobacco , and I think some manufacturers use them for cigars also (for some aromatic cigars). But I think they use cavendish as filler tobacco , not wrapper.

The process you describe to darken the wrapper is the same process used to make Cavendish. Note the photo in the first post. Both leaves were a similar shade prior to steaming. The darker leaf is after steaming.

Making Black Cavendish Pipe Tobacco

Black Cavendish is a style of tobacco processing that produces a mild, very dark tobacco, that can be used for pipe blending. Black Cavendish is notable for its ability to readily absorb added flavors for aromatic blends. Unflavored, it also makes a wonderful blender when mixed with stronger...

fairtradetobacco.com

 

[WillQuantrill]

Like , how do you want those top leaves to look when they are ready to pick? Like mostly yellow or fully yellow or something ?
I think you meant something like let them ripe a bit more than usual right ?

And do they become noticeably darker after fermenting or already before fermenting ?

Oh yeah , I've heard stories of looking like you got lipstick on after smoking some maduros also Lol.

The leaves will have much more "mottling" texture to the leaf still on the plant. From what I have read "oscuro" translates to "half time" what growers refer to their darker leaf that remains on the plant actually half the time the lower leaves took to mature when primed. So for example if the lower leaf is primed at 2 months grow after transplant they prime the upper leaf at 3 months after transplant.
While the actual coloring is a fuzz darker after air cure, it's much much more defined after fermentation. Then if you let the leaf rest 3-6 months so the color balances its even darker.

 

[deluxestogie]

From what I have read "oscuro" translates to "half time"

"Oscuro" is Spanish for "dark" or "obscure".

Bob

 

[WillQuantrill]

"Oscuro" is Spanish for "dark" or "obscure".

Bob

You're right, I got it confused with Medio Tiempo. A good sign I am too tired to be on the interwebs.
Goodnight John Boy.

 

[defender101]

The process you describe to darken the wrapper is the same process used to make Cavendish. Note the photo in the first post. Both leaves were a similar shade prior to steaming. The darker leaf is after steaming.

Making Black Cavendish Pipe Tobacco

Black Cavendish is a style of tobacco processing that produces a mild, very dark tobacco, that can be used for pipe blending. Black Cavendish is notable for its ability to readily absorb added flavors for aromatic blends. Unflavored, it also makes a wonderful blender when mixed with stronger...

fairtradetobacco.com

Ahh I see. I wonder will the leaves loose their ability to be used as cigar wrapper after steaming them like this , like will it break off easily when you stretch it to wrap cigars or will it be too wrinkly or something ?
Do you have any experience on that ?

 

[defender101]

The leaves will have much more "mottling" texture to the leaf still on the plant. From what I have read "oscuro" translates to "half time" what growers refer to their darker leaf that remains on the plant actually half the time the lower leaves took to mature when primed. So for example if the lower leaf is primed at 2 months grow after transplant they prime the upper leaf at 3 months after transplant.
While the actual coloring is a fuzz darker after air cure, it's much much more defined after fermentation. Then if you let the leaf rest 3-6 months so the color balances its even darker.

Ahh I see I see, noted. Thankyou for sharing this information btw , appreciate it.

 

[Knucklehead]

Ahh I see. I wonder will the leaves loose their ability to be used as cigar wrapper after steaming them like this , like will it break off easily when you stretch it to wrap cigars or will it be too wrinkly or something ?
Do you have any experience on that ?

I've never steamed my leaf, although quite a few members use the process to make Cavendish pipe tobacco. I mainly smoke cigarettes and occasionally use pipe or cigar.