ChinaVoodoo
Moderator
Do you think making plug out of it makes it darker in color?
Really Easy Perique Press
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Do you think making plug out of it makes it darker in color?
It comes out of the press as a plug--or rather, a disk. I cut that into 1" wide chunks of plug, then slice the plug into flake. I usually rub out the flake as soon as it has dried enough, and store it.
If you air the Perique batch several times along the way, then it doesn't really get much darker after it's done. I seldom or never air it out during the months of pressing, but once it's exposed to the air at the end, it becomes darker at that point. It's leaf with much of its nicotine on the outside, in the thick liquid. That nicotine promptly oxidizes, as soon as you expose it to air.
Bob
If you air the Perique batch several times along the way, then it doesn't really get much darker after it's done. I seldom or never air it out during the months of pressing, but once it's exposed to the air at the end, it becomes darker at that point. It's leaf with much of its nicotine on the outside, in the thick liquid. That nicotine promptly oxidizes, as soon as you expose it to air.
Bob
mwaller
Well-Known Member
After four months, I decided it was time to take my Florida Sumatra perique out of the press! I removed the 'plug' of pressed leaves from the jar and placed it a bowl with the extra juices. I'm hoping it will absorb a bit more of the liquid during the day and make my work of teasing the leaves apart easier tonight... we'll see. The aroma is still quite vegetal and floral, though I can detect a bit of the sweet, fermented character poking through. I'm curious to see what this is like once the leaves have dried and aired out.
Shred your tobacco BEFORE you press it. When it's done just rub it out . Easy Peasy.
CobGuy
Well-Known Member
On another forum, someone is calling the Carotte itself "Perique" rather than the resulting tobacco.
Does anyone know for sure if those terms were ever used interchangeably?
Does anyone know for sure if those terms were ever used interchangeably?
Yes, a "carotte" of tobacco is also called a "perique" of tobacco
These are old names.You can see this old video showing how you can make a "perique" of tobacco : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Sqhu11WjC4&t=443s
mwaller
Well-Known Member
That makes sense. I always wondered whether the tiny shreds would fuse into a block that can't be rubbed out. I take it that is not the case?
You end up with something like a crumble cake. Takes about a minute to rub out a large amount. It also is easier to dry as compared to whole leaf
ChinaVoodoo
Moderator
Three comments :
1. Bob, you didn't comment on the results of your Sacred Cornplanter perique.
2. I just broke up my 2 month old(?) bucket of Perique and repacked it. I then sat to drink a Rodenbach Grand Cru, and it dawned on me that the perique smells like a blend of Rodenbach Grand Cru and poop.
3. I had opened the bucket last week and there was a tiny bit of mold in one spot because the liquid was a little low. I removed said portion. This portion has been sitting in an ashtray on my balcony. It has not dried out and has turned much darker than the batch itself and has a much more complex aroma which although still poopy, is beginning to smell more like the perique from WLT.
1. Bob, you didn't comment on the results of your Sacred Cornplanter perique.
2. I just broke up my 2 month old(?) bucket of Perique and repacked it. I then sat to drink a Rodenbach Grand Cru, and it dawned on me that the perique smells like a blend of Rodenbach Grand Cru and poop.
3. I had opened the bucket last week and there was a tiny bit of mold in one spot because the liquid was a little low. I removed said portion. This portion has been sitting in an ashtray on my balcony. It has not dried out and has turned much darker than the batch itself and has a much more complex aroma which although still poopy, is beginning to smell more like the perique from WLT.
Hmm... A batch from 5 years ago. I've actually commented on it elsewhere. I still have most of the batch, if that tells you anything. And I've given some of it away. Its aroma is not identifiable as unrepentant cat piss. But it still smells like something you would likely decide against purchasing from a tobacconist.
Others have suggested that I may have harvested the Sacred Cornplanter too early. That may be true, but I'm not anticipating another try to find out. I supposed it's adequate for a ceremonial tobacco. If Chief Cornplanter had wanted a regular smoke for his daily pipe, he would surely have selected Virginia.
Bob
Others have suggested that I may have harvested the Sacred Cornplanter too early. That may be true, but I'm not anticipating another try to find out. I supposed it's adequate for a ceremonial tobacco. If Chief Cornplanter had wanted a regular smoke for his daily pipe, he would surely have selected Virginia.
Bob
Here's results from my perique press project.
I noticed a pronounced change in smell over time. At about the 8 week mark, it started to smell slightly fruity. Not unpleasant. I used a bar clamp and a large tomato sauce can as a press. Perhaps, by re purposing that tomato can, we may discover that elusive "catsup" Mclellen smell. JK.
I noticed a pronounced change in smell over time. At about the 8 week mark, it started to smell slightly fruity. Not unpleasant. I used a bar clamp and a large tomato sauce can as a press. Perhaps, by re purposing that tomato can, we may discover that elusive "catsup" Mclellen smell. JK.
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CobGuy
Well-Known Member
Using a metal container for my press didn't work out well for me ... sounds like yours is doing alright though!
~Darin
~Darin
Hi, I am a new member .... I'm a pipe smoker and I love simple blends of virginia and perique. What do you think is the variety of Virginia that gives the best results in the transformation into perique?
Second question: is it necessary to have a real press?
Sorry if I said wrong things and especially sorry for my bad english.
Second question: is it necessary to have a real press?
Sorry if I said wrong things and especially sorry for my bad english.
The nicotine strength of the variety of tobacco used will determine the nicotine strength of the finished perique. It can be made in any container that can hold liquid, and can withstand the applied pressure, which needs to be at least 35 psi (pounds per square inch). The container could be glass, plastic, (non-lead-glazed) ceramic, fully-enameled steel, stainless steel. The press follower (piston) should be similarly non-reactive. Apply the pressure with anything: a cheese press, a filled 40 gallon bucket of water, an elephant.
Bob
EDIT: Most cigar varieties will produce perique with a somewhat "cigar" aroma.
Bob
EDIT: Most cigar varieties will produce perique with a somewhat "cigar" aroma.
Chlorinated water will inhibit microbe growth, so don't use that. I have natural well water, which is what I use for making perique.
As you pack leaf into the pressing container, mist it heavily with water, so that the leaf is wet. After initially pressing, there should be a slight rim of water surrounding the press follower (piston). If not, then add enough water to create a seal of at least 1/8 inch (4-5 mm) depth.
Keep in mind that this will stink (barnyard aroma) for the first few weeks, but then change gradually to a fruity, prune-like aroma.
Bob
I tried to make Perique from Burley leaves.
I kept the leaves under pressure for 4 months very wet and with a nice border of water on the surface ... Every week I removed the pressure to absorb the liquid then I put more water and put it back under pressure. Twice I removed the leaves from the container for a couple of hours. Now after 4 months the leaves have not turned black but they are only a little darkened .... The smell has definitely changed .... but perhaps they still have a bad smell .... the temperature of my cellar is been in these 4 months of about 14 degrees centigrade .... now it's about 18 .... What do you say .... I put everything again under pressure for a while? Thank you for this wonderful forum!
I kept the leaves under pressure for 4 months very wet and with a nice border of water on the surface ... Every week I removed the pressure to absorb the liquid then I put more water and put it back under pressure. Twice I removed the leaves from the container for a couple of hours. Now after 4 months the leaves have not turned black but they are only a little darkened .... The smell has definitely changed .... but perhaps they still have a bad smell .... the temperature of my cellar is been in these 4 months of about 14 degrees centigrade .... now it's about 18 .... What do you say .... I put everything again under pressure for a while? Thank you for this wonderful forum!
It sounds like you are doing everything correctly. Burley is ideal for Perique. Darkening happens during exposure to air. Each time you remove the leaf, spread the leaves out fully, and allow them to mostly dry. Then repack, and add the moisture needed. Well finished Perique always has a subtle manure aroma, which vanishes when it is blended.
Bob
Bob
Ah ok Bob.... I thought the manure aroma It was if the Perique were not well finished!!! That's ok then....because today I smoked some of my Perique with a Red Virginia and the smoke Is very good!! So now I Will allow Perique to rest some weeks and I Will try to smoke It again! It should be very good! Thank you! My pipe smoker friends don't believe I have maken my Perique!!!!
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