I see that many regulars of this board are fans of maduro wrapper cigars. I am curious, what exactly makes a "maduro" leaf? Is it a specific type of tobacco? Or a type of leaf from a specific part of the tobacco plant? Or is it created in the curing and fermentation process?

(This is my first post here, so I hope this isn't too dumb of a question.)

-Brian

Someone want to chime in for Slim?!!! lol

This is actually a pretty good question. The answer is really "yes" to all the above. Certain types of tobacco are used, but the darkness of the leaf comes from the way it is treated. Help us out here, extra-smart people.

OK ... filling in for Slim, here's a bit of copy and paste re: Maduro tobacco

Maduro tobacco begins its journey the same as other tobacco, in the harvest fields. After weeks of growth, workers harvest certain tobacco leaves, otherwise known as priming. These leaves are bundled according to size and texture and hung in curing barns for anywhere from 3 – 8 weeks. This whole process from seedling planting to total priming, takes some 4 months time, with workers involved In a high labor practice of checking each plant one by one at least 1 – 2 times a day. As these leaves are hung in curing barns, their leaf color changes from green to brown. After curing, they are separated and grouped once again, whereby they stack them together in large bundles about 3 feet high, to begin the fascinating process known as fermentation. This is the time when leaves are transformed from mere vegetation, to your favorite smokes. These large stacks of fermenting tobacco emit tremendous heat, upwards to 120 degrees, having to be monitored frequently over a period of 1 – 3 months. It is at this point , were maduro tobacco is altered, by manipulating the fermentation temperature to even higher levels, for much longer periods of time. Maduro leaves, may take as long as 6 months to reach their peek shades of dark color.

E-mail me and I'll give you the URL of an excellent article about maduro wrappers. Everything you'd ever want to know. jreddochatexcitedotcom.

Thanks all for the responses.

The article jr pointed me too answers my question very well -- and cliffie is right, the answer is sort of "all of the above."

Brian

Cisco - is your kid a friend of mine? 😉

This is, of course, the process for real maduro leaves. I've seen some, on cheaper cigars, that look artificial, as if they were painted. I've heard people say that these "painted" wrappers color their lips and fingers! Anyone know how these cheapies are made?

The same way I make them single Culebras Cliffie.

Welcome Cisco! Now don't be afraid...I won't bite! At least while you're looking, lol!

And STEVE: excellent job filling in for [insert explitive of your choice here] Slim...but I'd have to say that it belongs on the Trades board.

WHY you ask? Because I'd Trade Slim for you baby any day!

Great question Cisco, I often wondered it myself.

A thought just occurred to me...and I never knew that the leaves were 'fermented'...it's like smoking compost. Ewww!!!

love them fermented leaves ...

CW: Classic!
Nothing like an old War tune get me singing...

someone finally noticed... thanks tailgater!

LMAO at JJ! How 'bout them butt-pressed cigars!

cw,
And Pancho too!

Brian

Chris, I noticed (and sang to myself), but I was ignoring you...

Chris, I noticed (and sang to myself), but I was ignoring you...

I swear, I only had 2 cups of coffee this morning...damned Godsmack!

I like being ignored, it allows a moment of peace.... 😉

E - look at the music post again! Godsmack kicks a$$