DESCRIPTION: This video will explain and illustrate the complex processes of curing and fermentation of tobacco. Curing and fermentation are critical aspects of readying the tobacco for use in the production of premium cigars.

TERMS:

Casa de Tabaco = Curing Barn
Guano = Palm leaves; used for constructing some curing barns
Ensartadores = Stringer, sewer of leaves
Drying bars = wooden poles used for hanging leaves in the curing barn
Vegueros = tobacco farmers
Manos = hands; groups of leaves tied together in bunches

Pilón (pilones) = pile or stack of tobacco leaves used in fermenting

Temperatures:

• In curing barns: 72-75 degrees F
• In fermentation pilón: 80-95 degrees F

Time span:

• For curing: approx. 6-weeks
• For fermentation: approx. 6-weeks