Stalk Priming: Content Preview

November 9, 2009

 

American Photo Services. Tobacco leaves drying, Havana Province, ca. 1920. From the Ramiro Fernandez Collection: I Was Cuba, Kevin Kwan.

American Photo Services. Tobacco leaves drying, Havana Province, ca. 1920. From the Ramiro Fernandez Collection: I Was Cuba, Kevin Kwan.

For the better part of 2009 we have been researching and studying a very unique dark tobacco harvesting method known as Stalk Priming.  This is an exclusive presentation of an agricultural and processing method which has been hidden or lost to the contemporary world of cigar smokers.   We are calling this content “in development” because we would like to re-create these harvesting and processing conditions and ultimately taste the final product; that will take money, time, and more effort.  In addition, this is considered CMT Curriculum, or ‘advanced’ content which will eventually go into the testing process for Certified Master Tobacconists. 

 

Regardless of all these details, none of the research and writing we do has any value if we do not share it, so here it is…  Please feel free to comment and share.

Stalk Priming_Page_1Stalk Priming_Page_2

 

Thanks to Jose “Don Pepin” Garcia for sharing hist time, experience, and wisdom during the develpment of this content.  The astute observer may have noticed that we included a definition of Stalk Priming in The Tobacconist Handbook and TU Glossary, but this is the first preview of the academic curriculum.

  Posted by: admin |
Filed Under: Tobacco Education, Tobacconist Education

4 Responses to “Stalk Priming: Content Preview”

  1. Dale Roush says:
    November 16, 2009 at 4:05 pm

    Very interesting new content! I’d be most curious about the burning characteristics and flavor differences (if any) in the lower leaves from this harvest method as they would get more sun exposure by the time they are harvested as opposed to the traditional priming method. I hope TU has a little test plot going at Pepin’s fields this season! I’m sure you’re already way ahead of me…….

  2. Captain Green says:
    January 1, 2010 at 1:37 pm

    There is a farmer in Connecticut who has been experimenting with a new stalk-primed tobacco. It costs a lot of money, as noted above, but if it becomes popular again perhaps other growers will give it a try. Drew Estate is buying up the current Connecticut crop for their Liga Privada line (see my review under forums/reviews).

  3. admin says:
    January 1, 2010 at 1:43 pm

    I dont believe anyone in CT is doing Stalk Priming; they are Stalk Cutting Broadleaf, which is the technique you mentioned Drew Estate is using… very different… if im wrong Capt. ill buy you a cigar…

  4. Captain Green says:
    January 4, 2010 at 5:37 pm

    Ahh you are correct sir but you are welcome to buy me a cigar anytime :)

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