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Curing gives the tobacco its distinctive taste and characteristics.
Curing gives the tobacco its distinctive taste and characteristics.
Methods vary depending on the variety of plant and how the tobacco will be used.
These curing methods include flue-curing, fire-curing, and air-curing, and the process can take several weeks.
After curing the tobacco is laid out and skilled workers grade the tobacco by colour, position on the plant and other quality characteristics.
Step 1: Seed
Tobacco is grown from seeds that are so tiny there are 12,000 per gram.
Tobacco is grown from seeds that are so tiny there are 12,000 per gram.
Step 2: Harvest
After some 13 to 15 weeks the tobacco crop is thriving and nearing harvest.
After some 13 to 15 weeks the tobacco crop is thriving and nearing harvest.
Step 3: Curing
Curing gives the tobacco its distinctive taste and characteristics.
Curing gives the tobacco its distinctive taste and characteristics.
Step 4: Processing
Processing involves separating the lamina, or leaf, from the stem.
Processing involves separating the lamina, or leaf, from the stem.
Step 5: Manufacturing
Every cigarette is a balance of specialisation and technology.
Every cigarette is a balance of specialisation and technology.
Step 6: Trade Marketing
British American Tobacco distributes to more than 15 million retail outlets.
British American Tobacco distributes to more than 15 million retail outlets.