Dark-fired Latakia tobacco, a name that sparks intrigue among both novice smokers and seasoned aficionados. This is no ordinary tobacco. Its unique dark-firing process imparts an unmatched smoky depth, intertwining rich, earthy notes with a delicate sweetness that dances on the palate.

Introduction to Dark-fired Latakia Tobacco

Latakia tobacco is a sun-dried and smoke-cured product, originally from Syria but now largely produced in Cyprus due to sociopolitical challenges within Syrian borders. The name “Latakia” comes from the major port city of Latakia, highlighting its geographical origins.

History and Origins

Latakia tobacco’s discovery might have been accidental, resulting from a surplus of tobacco being stored in the rafters of farmers’ homes. The tobacco leaves would slowly dry and cure over time, owing to the smoke from the open wood fires used for heating and light. This smoke-curing process is a crucial element in defining Latakia’s complex aroma.

Unique Characteristics

When burned, Latakia tobacco emits a distinct wood smoke aroma with sweet floral undertones. It is commonly found in pipe tobacco blends, and some adventurous cigar and cigarette producers use it as well. Most pipe blends use Latakia as a condiment to add complexity and control the burn rate.

The Making of Latakia Tobacco

The production process of Latakia tobacco is intricate, involving different tobacco varieties and a series of curing steps.

Tobacco Varieties Used

Latakia traditionally uses the Nicotiana Tabacum and Nicotiana Rustica varieties, which are smaller in size compared to the tobacco plants most commonly grown in the Western world. However, many modern producers primarily use Nicotiana Tabacum. There’s still debate on the specific tobacco variety used to produce Syrian Latakia due to the lack of data from manufacturers of the time.

The Sun-curing Process

The sun-curing process is unique for Latakia tobacco, where the leaves remain whole on the stalk of the plant, including the flowers. These are then dried over a period of three or more weeks, either laid on the ground or hung between trees.

The Fumigation Process

Following sun-curing, the tobacco undergoes a smoke-curing process, also known as fumigation. This process takes place in simple barns in the Syrian mountains, where the tobacco is hung on rafters and fumigated using small fire pits dug into the ground. The type of wood and brush used for this process is subject to debate, but it’s commonly believed that smaller branches, twigs, and leaves are used. After fumigation, the rough Latakia is rehydrated, increasing its bulk weight by about 15%.

Packaging and Export

Upon reaching processors such as the Imperial Tobacco Company, the Latakia tobacco is de-stalked, bulked together, and placed into large vaults for up to 90 days for fermentation. This step reduces water content and harsh chemicals like nicotine while also creating new and more complex flavor compounds. After fermentation, the tobacco is placed in frames for export, usually during winter to prevent further fermentation.

The Unique Aroma and Flavor of Latakia

Latakia’s distinct flavor and aroma make it a prized component in the tobacco industry.

Characteristics of Latakia when Burned

When burned, Latakia tobacco produces a characteristic wood smoke aroma with sweet floral undertones. This aroma is a result of the unique sun-drying and smoke-curing processes used in its production.

Common Uses of Latakia in Tobacco Products

While traditionally found in pipe tobacco blends, Latakia’s unique characteristics have also found their way into some cigar and cigarette productions. In pipe blends, it’s typically used as a condiment to add complexity and control the burn rate.

Challenges in Latakia Production

The production of Latakia tobacco hasn’t been without challenges.

Sociopolitical Issues in Syria

Latakia’s origins trace back to Syria, but sociopolitical issues within the country have forced a shift in production. These challenges have led to a decline in Syrian Latakia production, causing manufacturers to look for alternatives.

Moving Production to Cyprus

Due to the challenges in Syria, much of the Latakia production has now moved to Cyprus. Despite the change in location, the unique processing methods are maintained to preserve the distinctive aroma and flavor of Latakia tobacco.

Conclusion: The Ongoing Legacy of Latakia Tobacco

Despite facing various challenges, Latakia tobacco continues to be a sought-after product in the tobacco industry. Its unique aroma and flavor, stemming from its distinctive sun-curing and smoke-curing processes, make it a standout tobacco product. As manufacturers navigate through sociopolitical hurdles and adapt to changes, the legacy of Latakia tobacco continues to endure.

Technical sources:

Latakia tobacco is a sun-dried and smoke-cured tobacco product, originating from Syria and named after its major port city of Latakia. The production of Latakia has largely moved to Cyprus due to varying and compounding sociopolitical issues within Syrian borders. The discovery of Latakia is thought to be accidental, stemming from a surplus of tobacco stored in the rafters of homes where smoke from open wood fires used for heat and light would slowly dry and cure the tobacco over time. The result is a tobacco product with a distinctive wood smoke aroma and sweet floral undertones.

The tobacco plants used for Latakia are typically of the Nicotiana rustica and Nicotiana tabacum varieties, which are smaller in size compared to the tobacco plants commonly grown in the Western world. In particular, the plants used for Latakia are about 2–3 feet in height, with up to 100 palm-sized to hand-sized leaves. The specific type of tobacco seed used for Syrian Latakia is often debated, but there is a general consensus that it was first produced using a variety of Nicotiana Tabacum called shekk-el-bint or the Turkish Yayladag variant.

The sun-curing process for Latakia differs from normal Oriental production as the leaves are not stitched together. They are kept whole on the stalk of the plant and either hung between trees or simply laid on the ground to dry over a period of three or more weeks. After sun-curing, the leaves are moved to store houses before being purchased by brokers to undergo smoke-curing, sometimes called fumigation.

Fumigation is carried out in simple barns made of brick or block with earthen floors and no ventilation. The tobacco is hung inside on rafters and fumigated using fire pits dug into the ground. Woods and brushes such as Carob, Scrub oak, Aleppo Pine, Turkey Oak, Valonia Oak, and Lebanon Cedar are commonly used for this process. Smaller branches, twigs, and leaves are preferred over large pieces of hardwood. Once fumigation is completed, the rough Latakia is rehydrated, bulk packaged, and sent to the port of Latakia.

The tobacco is then further processed by companies such as the Imperial Tobacco Company, where it is de-stalked and fermented in large vaults for up to 90 days. This process reduces water content and harsh chemicals like nicotine, and also creates new and more complex flavor compounds. After fermentation, the tobacco is placed in frames to be exported, usually during winter to prevent further fermentation.