Does Knowing Where Do Cigars Come From (Countries Of Origin) Truly Matter?
Where do cigars come from (countries) is easy to answer: from all over the world. Almost every country that is not too close to the Arctic Circle grows tobacco, from Poland and Canada to points as far south as South Africa. However, there are some countries that stand out as sources of premium products.
What makes a good cigar is ultimately a completely subjective choice, but there are some criteria which most experts agree on. According to consensus, Cuban cigars still reign supreme. Especially in one western province, the tobacco grown in this island country is robust but mild. Many areas of Central and South America that grow cigars today started their industry with Cuban seed, profiting from the ban on sales of Cuban cigars in the United States.
The type of soil has a lot to do with the type of tobacco grown and the flavor it imparts to a cigar. The Dominican Republic, now considered one of the major players in the cigar industry, produces mild and medium-bodied smokes, while Honduras is known for spicier blends. Things are complicated by the fact that Honduras imports much of its tobacco, so the careful blending of tobacco is an important factor. Nicaragua is another country that makes cigars for the world market.
The crop must be carefully tended until the perfect moment of maturity is reached, when only two or three leaves are picked from each plant. The leaves are taken carefully to barns or sheds where they are cured, fermented, aged, sorted, removed from the stem by hand, re-fermented, re-aged, and finally baled. This process requires expert judgment throughout and takes several years to complete. This is all before the first actual cigar is rolled, which is another art that requires true craftsmanship.
Processing is equally as important as growing conditions, and only the most dedicated craftsmen can produce a fine cigar. Honduras, one of the most highly-regarded producers, is still importing much of its tobacco, which it turns into its own distinctively mild to medium-bodied smokes. The raw material must be picked at precisely the right time, cured and fermented to perfection, sorted, aged, re-fermented, re-aged, and finally baled and stored properly to have the right qualities for eventually inclusion in a premium product.
The type of soil has a lot to do with whether tobacco will grow well and have a smooth flavor, which is further mellowed by the fermentation process which removes many of the tars and other impurities. China, for instance, is far and away the world’s largest grower, but its harsh, strong-flavored tobacco is mainly used locally or sold for filter cigarettes.
People who pride themselves on knowing a good cigar when they feel, taste, light, and smoke one will often use the country of origin to classify a smoke as mild (suitable for morning use), medium-bodied and spicy (for lunchtime and afternoon), or full-bodied for after dinner relaxation. The first cigar of the day would come from the Dominican Republic, perhaps, followed by one from Honduras, with the product of Nicaragua reserved for the evening.
The question is not so much ‘Where do cigars come from (countries)’ as ‘Where do fine cigars come from’, since quality is what choosing a cigar is all about. Knowing the country of origin is one more fun fact about the art of cigar smoking.
Find out about the distinctive and unique differences that international cigars offer! When you are comparing the advantages of cigar international, you will see how the fine blends can make your smoking more enjoyable.
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