Bulk Burley Tobacco, a staple in the tobacco industry, holds a fascinating story. From its cultivation to its use in various tobacco blends, the journey of Bulk Burley Tobacco is a testament to the art and science of tobacco production. This robust and versatile leaf has shaped the tobacco industry in significant ways, contributing to the richness and diversity of tobacco blends enjoyed by connoisseurs worldwide. Join us as we delve into the world of Bulk Burley Tobacco, exploring its unique characteristics, the intricacies of its production, and its significant role in the world of tobacco.
Introduction to Bulk Burley Tobacco
Burley tobacco, a significant player in the tobacco industry, is known for its unique characteristics and versatile uses. This article delves into the world of bulk Burley tobacco, exploring its history, cultivation, market presence, curing methods, and role in tobacco blends.
History and Origin
Burley tobacco, a classic variety, is often named for the state in which it originated . It is the second-most popular type of tobacco, air-cured and used in various tobacco products, including chewing tobacco, American-type cigarettes, and pipe tobacco .
Characteristics and Uses
Burley tobacco is light-colored with very little sugar content, giving it a dry, developed aroma . It is often described as having a soft, nutty flavor that burns slowly and coolly . Its ability to readily absorb flavorings and sugary sauces makes it ideal for creating flavored pipe tobaccos .
Cultivation Process
Growing Burley tobacco involves numerous decisions that impact the yield and quality of the crops produced . A full-leafed mature Burley plant can have 20 to 24 leaves .
Harvesting Techniques
Harvesting and curing Burley tobacco is a meticulous process. The leaves are removed and grouped by stalk position and physical characteristics to meet marketing requirements .
Popular Burley Tobacco Products
Several products in the market feature Burley tobacco. For instance, Stokkebye 702 is a popular bulk straight Burley, great on its own and also as a blender . Another product, Scotty’s Butternut Burley, is a favorite among both beginners and seasoned pipe smokers .
Buying and Selling Bulk Burley Tobacco
Bulk Burley tobacco is available for purchase in various forms. For instance, processed Burley tobacco leaves are commonly used by manufacturers of roll-your-own and pipe tobacco . Additionally, Burley tobacco is sold in bulk for blending purposes .
Traditional Curing Methods
Traditionally, Burley tobacco is air-cured . This process involves hanging the tobacco in a well-ventilated barn where the tobacco dries over a period of four to eight weeks .
Modern Bulk-Curing Techniques
Modern techniques have introduced bulk-curing of Burley tobacco. Experiments have shown that conventional bulk-curing can be more advantageous than traditional methods, mainly due to the reduction of curing time and labor .
Blending Characteristics of Burley Tobacco
Burley tobacco plays a significant role in tobacco blends. Its ability to absorb flavorings makes it a “drinkable” tobacco, ideal for the creation of flavored pipe tobaccos .
Popular Burley Tobacco Blends
There are several popular Burley tobacco blends in the market. For example, Lane Limited’s BLWB blend offers a refreshing break into the other Burley flavor: cocco .
Conclusion
Bulk Burley tobacco, with its unique characteristics and versatile uses, holds a significant place in the tobacco industry. From its cultivation to its role in blends, understanding Burley tobacco provides a deeper insight into the world of tobacco.
Statistics:
In 2014, the sales volume of Burley leaves was at its highest, with 38,060,038 kg sold. However, this figure dropped to 20,571,445 kg in recent years .
FAQs:
- What is Burley tobacco?
Burley tobacco is a type of tobacco that is air-cured and used in various tobacco products like chewing tobacco, cigarettes, and pipe tobacco . - How is Burley tobacco grown?
The process of growing Burley tobacco involves numerous decisions that impact the yield and quality of the crop. These decisions include selecting the right variety, managing the tobacco float systems, field selection, soil preparation, weed management, fertilization, disease management, insect pest management, topping, and sucker control . - How is Burley tobacco cured?
Burley tobacco is cured using bulk-curing techniques. These techniques have been found to be more advantageous than curing under plastic, mainly due to the reduction of curing time and labor, and the ability to rule out the vagaries of the weather . - How many leaves does a mature Burley plant have?
A mature Burley plant can have 20 to 24 leaves . - What is the stripping process in Burley tobacco production?
Stripping is the process of removing and grouping leaves by stalk position and physical characteristics to meet marketing requirements . - What was the sales volume of Burley leaves in 2014?
In 2014, the sales volume of Burley leaves was 38,060,038 kg . - What was the sales volume of Burley leaves in recent years?
The sales volume of Burley leaves dropped to 20,571,445 kg in recent years . - What products is Burley tobacco used in?
Burley tobacco is used in chewing tobacco, cigarettes, and pipe tobacco . - How does the curing process affect the quality of Burley tobacco?
The curing process is crucial in enhancing the quality of Burley tobacco. Bulk-curing techniques have been found to be more advantageous than curing under plastic, mainly due to the reduction of curing time and labor, and the ability to rule out the vagaries of the weather . - What factors impact the yield and quality of Burley tobacco crops?
Factors that impact the yield and quality of Burley tobacco crops include the selection of the right variety, management of the tobacco float systems, field selection, soil preparation, weed management, fertilization, disease management, insect pest management, topping, and sucker control . - What is the nicotine level in Burley tobacco?
The nicotine level of Burley tobacco was found to be 0.650 % . - How is Burley tobacco used in pipe blends?
When included in pipe blends, the air-cured leaf of Burley tobacco creates rich, earthy flavors that pair well with virtually any combination of other components . - What is the process of bulk-curing in Burley tobacco?
Bulk-curing in Burley tobacco involves curing the tobacco in a conventional bulk-curing barn. This process has been found to be more advantageous than curing under plastic, mainly due to the reduction of curing time and labor, and the ability to rule out the vagaries of the weather . - What is the role of Burley tobacco in cigarette blends?
Burley tobacco is used to make cigarette tobacco leaf blends stronger. It is also used for cigar filler, pipe blends, and chewing tobacco . - What is the sales trend of Burley leaves?
The sales volume of Burley leaves has been decreasing in recent years. In 2014, the sales volume was at its highest with 38,060,038 kg sold. However, this figure dropped to 20,571,445 kg in recent years .
Books:
- “Burley: Kentucky Tobacco in a New Century” by Ann K. Ferrell
- “Tobacco Culture: Farming Kentucky’s Burley Belt” by John van Willigen and Susan C. Eastwood
- “Golden Leaf: A Khoury Family History” by Christopher Tompkins
Sources of information:
- University of Kentucky, University of Tennessee, Virginia Tech, and NC State University https://www2.ca.uky.edu/agcomm/pubs/ID/ID160/ID160.pdf
- Istituto Sperimentale per il Tabacco, Scafati, Italy https://www.coresta.org/abstracts/bulk-curing-techniques-burley-tobacco-18719.html
- Leaf Only https://www.leafonly.com/pipe-tobacco-leaf/tobacco-leaves/burley-tobacco
- ASCO Publications https://ascopubs.org/doi/full/10.1200/GO.22.00180
- University of Kentucky Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department https://burleytobaccoextension.ca.uky.edu/files/stripping_and_market_prep_id160_2019.pdf
- ScienceDirect https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/burley-tobacco
- U.S. Department of Agriculture https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/47092/59808_sb869.pdf?v=0
- Heirloom Organics https://www.heirloom-organics.com/guide/va/1/guidetogrowingburleytobacco.html
- True Leaf Market Seed Company https://www.trueleafmarket.com/collections/tobacco-seed
- CORESTA https://www.coresta.org/abstracts/new-bulk-curing-method-intermittent-heating-and-ventilation-burley-tobacco-13260.html
Citations:
- “Burley and Dark Tobacco Production Guide” by the University of Kentucky, the University of Tennessee, Virginia Tech, and NC State University https://www2.ca.uky.edu/agcomm/pubs/ID/ID160/ID160.pdf
- “Bulk-curing techniques for Burley tobacco” by Istituto Sperimentale per il Tabacco, Scafati, Italy https://www.coresta.org/abstracts/bulk-curing-techniques-burley-tobacco-18719.html
- “Burley Tobacco sold by the pound for pipe cigarette and more Whole Leaf tobacco Burley” by Leaf Only https://www.leafonly.com/pipe-tobacco-leaf/tobacco-leaves/burley-tobacco
- “Compared with 2014, the year with the highest sales of tobacco, the sales volume of Burley leaves has dropped from 38,060,038 to 20,571,445 kg” by ASCO Publications https://ascopubs.org/doi/full/10.1200/GO.22.00180
- “Stripping and Market Prep ID160 2019” by University of Kentucky Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department https://burleytobaccoextension.ca.uky.edu/files/stripping_and_market_prep_id160_2019.pdf
- “Burley Tobacco – an overview” by ScienceDirect https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/burley-tobacco
- “U.S. costs of producing and selling burley tobacco, 1989-92” by U.S. Department of Agriculture https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/47092/59808_sb869.pdf?v=0
- “Guide to Growing Burley Tobacco” by Heirloom Organics https://www.heirloom-organics.com/guide/va/1/guidetogrowingburleytobacco.html
- “True Leaf Market Seed Company | Buy Non-GMO, Heirloom, Organic Seeds” by True Leaf Market Seed Company https://www.trueleafmarket.com/collections/tobacco-seed
- “The new bulk curing method with intermittent heating and ventilation for burley tobacco” by CORESTA https://www.coresta.org/abstracts/new-bulk-curing-method-intermittent-heating-and-ventilation-burley-tobacco-13260.html