Light Burley Tobacco: A Versatile and Unique Tobacco

A vintage light burley tobacco advertisement

Are you a tobacco connoisseur looking for a unique and flavorful smoke? Look no further than the light burley tobacco. With its delicate flavor and smooth smoke, the light burley tobacco is a classic American tobacco that stands out from the rest. From growing to smoking, there is much to discover about this versatile and unique tobacco.

Introduction

Tobacco has been a part of human culture for centuries, and there are many different types of tobacco available today. One of the most unique and versatile types of tobacco is light burley tobacco.

History of Light Burley Tobacco

The origin of white burley tobacco, a type of light burley tobacco, is credited to a man named George Webb in 1864. He grew it near Higginsport , Ohio , from seed from Bracken County , Kentucky . He noticed it yielded a different type of light leaf shaded from white to yellow, and cured differently. By 1866, he harvested 20,000 pounds of it and sold it in 1867 at the St. Louis Fair for $58 per hundred pounds. Today, burley tobacco is produced in many countries, with major production in Brazil , Malawi , and Argentina .

Cultivation of Light Burley Tobacco

Burley tobacco plants are started from pelletized seeds placed in polystyrene trays floated on a bed of fertilized water in March or April. The seedlings are transplanted to the fields in May or June. Burley tobacco is grown in many states in the U.S., including Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. The plants are harvested in late summer or early fall, and the leaves are air-cured or flue-cured.

Characteristics of Light Burley Tobacco

Light burley tobacco is known for its delicate flavor and smooth smoke. It is a light-colored tobacco leaf with a dry, developed aroma. It is often used in blends with other types of tobacco, such as Virginia and Turkish Oriental leaf, to create unique and flavorful smoking experiences.

Uses of Light Burley Tobacco

Light burley tobacco is used in a variety of tobacco products, including chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, and cigarettes. It is often blended with other types of tobacco to create unique flavors and aromas. Some people even use it for home tobacco curing and smoking.

How is Light Burley tobacco processed and cured

Light burley tobacco is processed and cured differently than other types of tobacco. According to, burley tobacco is air-cured in barns for up to two months. During this time, burley tobacco loses most of its natural sugars and develops a strong, bold flavor. The leaves are then sorted by stalk position and quality, packed in bales, and evaluated by leaf buyers. The final processing for burley tobacco includes separation of leaf from stem and removal of sand and nontobacco materials. The tobacco is dried, packed in cases, and shipped to manufacturing centers around the world where it is blended with other types of tobacco to create unique smoking experiences. The process of curing burley tobacco is crucial to its final quality and character. According to, a well-cured burley crop depends on cutting the tobacco at the right time, housing it correctly, practicing good barn management, and bulking it properly. The curing process for burley tobacco involves air-curing in barns for up to two months. During this time, the tobacco loses most of its natural sugars and develops a strong, bold flavor. The leaves are then sorted by stalk position and quality, packed in bales, and evaluated by leaf buyers. In colonial times, tobacco was cured by hanging the leaves in well-ventilated barns. Today, tobacco is cured in specially designed barns that allow for better control of temperature and humidity. The curing process for burley tobacco involves hanging the leaves in the barns and using heat to control humidity. The leaves are then removed from the stalks in a process called stripping and sorted into different grades . In conclusion, light burley tobacco is air-cured in barns for up to two months, during which time it loses most of its natural sugars and develops a strong, bold flavor. The leaves are then sorted by stalk position and quality, packed in bales, and evaluated by leaf buyers. The final processing for burley tobacco includes separation of leaf from stem and removal of sand and nontobacco materials. The curing process for burley tobacco involves air-curing in barns for up to two months, hanging the leaves in the barns, and using heat to control humidity. The leaves are then removed from the stalks in a process called stripping and sorted into different grades .

What makes Burley tobacco unique compared to other types of tobacco

Burley tobacco is unique compared to other types of tobacco in several ways. According to, the most important property of Burley tobacco is its ability to reduce the often sharp taste of Virginia tobaccos. The pH value of Burley is around 7 which means that it is more or less neutral, whereas Virginia tobacco has a pH value of about 5 which means that it is acidic. Burley tobacco is also known for its bolder character and faint hints of cocoa in its smell and taste. After the Burley has been processed, the taste is medium to full-bodied, relatively dry, and contains a clearer note of cocoa. Burley tobacco is primarily grown in Southwestern Virginia and is air-cured in barns for up to two months . During this time, burley tobacco loses most of its natural sugars and develops a strong, bold flavor. The leaves are then sorted by stalk position and quality, packed in bales, and evaluated by leaf buyers. The final processing for burley tobacco includes separation of leaf from stem and removal of sand and nontobacco materials. The tobacco is dried, packed in cases, and shipped to manufacturing centers around the world where it is blended with other types of tobacco to create unique smoking experiences . In conclusion, Burley tobacco is unique compared to other types of tobacco due to its ability to reduce the often sharp taste of Virginia tobaccos, its bolder character, and faint hints of cocoa in its smell and taste. It is primarily grown in Southwestern Virginia and air-cured in barns for up to two months. The final processing for burley tobacco includes separation of leaf from stem and removal of sand and nontobacco materials .

Conclusion

Light burley tobacco is a unique and versatile type of tobacco that has been enjoyed by people around the world for centuries. Its delicate flavor and smooth smoke make it a popular choice for many tobacco enthusiasts. However, it is important to remember that all tobacco products carry health risks and should be used in moderation. If you are a tobacco enthusiast looking for a unique and flavorful smoking experience, consider trying light burley tobacco.

Books:

  • “Tobacco: A Cultural History of How an Exotic Plant Seduced Civilization” by Iain Gately
  • “The Tobacco Atlas ” by Michael Eriksen and Judith Mackay
  • “Tobacco: A Reference Handbook” by David Levinson

Sources of information:

  • Mac Baren Tobacco Company – https://www.mac-baren.com/burley-tobacco
  • Total Leaf Supply – https://totalleafsupply.com/products/organic-burley-tobacco
  • Family Farms of Kentucky : Burley Tobacco Oral History Project – https://www.kentuckyoralhistory.org/ark:/16417/xt7mkk94xh4w
  • Tobacconist University – https://tobacconistuniversityblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/pipe-tobacco-final-exam-review.html
  • Racine and Laramie – https://www.racineandlaramie.com/tobacco-types-article/