 CRIOLLO
While there are many Cigar Tobacco Varietals, the in-depth Curriculum on Growing, Nurturing, and Harvesting Cigar Tobaccos will focus on the two most famous seed varietals in the history of cigars: Corojo and Criollo. Their descendants are in most premium cigars made today. While many hybrids have been created over the years [in and outside of Cuba], these two legendary seed strains make excellent specimens for serious study.
- Origins date back to the time Columbus discovered the "New World"
- Traditionally used as filler and binder plant
- Grown under direct sunlight to amplify the variety and intensity of flavors
- For generations, the Criollo plant produced 4 of the 5 leaves in a "Havana" cigar
- Corojo wrapper leaves are the 5th
- Produces 6 to 7 pairs of leaves
- Ligero: leaves at the top of the plant are the strongest and fuller flavored, due to direct sunlight (Heavier Sun = Heavier Tobacco)
- Leaves toward the bottom of the plant are more subtle in flavor and strength
- Seco: used as filler
- Capote: used for binder
- Volado: used as filler
- Outside of Cuba [and the Criollo Varietal], tobacco plant leaves are generally classified, from top to bottom, as:
- CORONA - LIGERO - VISO - SECO - VOLADO
 COROJO
- Developed in 1930s by Diego Rodriguez
- Derived from the Criollo seed through selective breeding
- Named after its birthplace, the farm Santa Ines del Corojo in the Vuelta Abajo region
- Premiere wrapper for Cuban Cigars until 1990s
- Primarily grown under shade for wrappers
- Weakness: still susceptible to Blue-Mold, Black Shank, and other Tobacco ravaging diseases
- Produces 8 to 9 pairs of leaves
- Praised for its dark brown (colorado) color, uniformity, thin veins
 GENERAL
In General, outside of Cuba, these plant classifications apply.
Certified R&D Tobacconists: United States |
|
|
|
|
|
