Many people grow their own tobacco and use it for smoking. However, for this it is not enough just to harvest the shoots and leaves. To obtain the required product, it is important to correctly assess the readiness of the leaves, harvest the crop and carry out a number of activities with it. Therefore, it is necessary to understand how to dry tobacco. This process has a number of nuances and features.
When to pick tobacco
Smoking tobacco matures in stages.This process starts from the lower leaves and moves upward. The first lower tier is allowed to be cut off 40-45 days after planting - at the stage of the appearance of flower buds. After the same period of time, it is permissible to collect the next tier.
Each bush can include 4-8 tiers. They need to be prepared one by one. Experts advise picking only those leaves that are at the stage of technical maturity. Only in this case do they accumulate the required amount of nicotine.
The maturity of tobacco leaves is indicated by the following:
- the leaves become denser and acquire a sticky structure;
- leaves change shade from light yellow to yellow-green;
- light spots form on the petiole - this is what starchy accumulations look like;
- the edges of the leaf blades become wavy and sink to the ground - while the lower leaves may be devoid of spots;
- the petiole is easily separated;
- in the evening, ripe leaves do not rise to the stem, but are located horizontally.
Features of harvesting
To reduce drying time, foliage must be collected in the evening. This is done in dry weather - before the evening dew falls. To collect raw materials, you need to gently press on the petiole and separate the leaf blade from the branch. It should break off with a click. If this does not happen, the tobacco is not mature enough.
Fragments of bushes affected by parasites are separated at all stages of maturity. They can be used for composting or fumigating fruit plants.
Preparation of raw materials
The key stage in preparing tobacco for subsequent processing is simmering. During this procedure, the raw material loses 20% of its moisture. At this stage, starch is destroyed, the foliage turns yellow, and the nicotine content increases. As a result of simmering, the product's resistance to mold increases.
The essence of the procedure is quite simple. In this case, you need to keep the collected foliage at a temperature of +20-40 degrees. It is necessary to increase the parameters gradually. It is important to simmer raw materials at high humidity. It should be 80-90%.
You can darken tobacco in the following ways:
- In heaps or garmans. In this case, the harvested crop must be spread out on a damp floor, forming elongated piles. It is important to provide high-quality ventilation in the room. After a day, the foliage will begin to produce heat. It needs to be turned over systematically to avoid rotting. After 3-4 days the process can be completed.
- In the lows. In this case, you need to take a long needle and string the leaves onto a cord, compact them and hang them in the barn. It is important to ensure that the tobacco does not dry out. To do this, it is necessary to provide access to moisture. If the shade changes, the workpiece should be removed immediately.
- In the dryer. For this purpose, fire tube drying machines are used. Initially, the procedure is carried out at low temperatures, but gradually increase them. Subsequently, the raw materials are dried until ready.
When the leaves completely or 2/3 change their shade, the process must be stopped immediately. The easiest way is to get rid of the remaining juice. To do this, you need to start the drying process.
Drying methods at home
Tobacco can be dried using different methods. It is important to process stewed leaves that have lost their green tint.
Solar
Prepared tobacco perceives sunlight normally. It can be dried outside near the house, on the balcony or on the windowsill. If air humidity increases, raw materials must be brought indoors.
To dry tobacco properly, you need to do the following:
- place the leaves on thick cardboard;
- leave at a temperature of +25 degrees;
- start drying, periodically turning the leaves over.
It is recommended to dry the tobacco in one layer. Otherwise, this process will take several weeks.
Shadow (air)
This method is considered more convenient. When using it, the raw materials do not need to be hidden from the rain. This uses a higher temperature. The essence of the method is simple. To do this, just lay the tobacco on horizontal surfaces. In the first days it needs to be checked and turned over. Then it is recommended to dry the raw materials until ready.
Fire
Pipe firing machines are used in production conditions. First, the raw materials are simmered, and then proceed to drying. Previously, coals were used at home. At the same time, the leaves were laid out on grates and placed over burnt-out fires.
This method is not currently used. It does not allow you to accurately calculate the temperature. When raw materials are overheated, dark spots form. In addition, portions of coal need to be added all the time.
If there are coals left from the fire, you need to slightly warm up the workpiece, which is dried in the sun. To do this, you need to put foil down. This procedure will speed up the process. In addition, the leaves will be saturated with aromatic smoke.
Steam drying
This method is used in industrial settings and helps to quickly dry tobacco. To implement it, special metal pipes are used. They supply steam according to the set program.
At home, some people try to use a double boiler or pots of boiling water. However, these methods do not make much sense. To achieve the desired results, it is important to regularly apply a moderate amount of water.
Bush drying tobacco
To dry tobacco as a bush, it is recommended to string it on a cord and place it in special frames under the sun's rays. In this case, the distance between plants should be 4-5 millimeters.
How to determine the degree of readiness and what leaves should turn out
Dried tobacco leaves are light brown or dark brown in color. Plus they crumble in your fingers. The leaves of this tobacco have fragile veins that break rather than bend. A pleasant tobacco aroma is considered the best sign of readiness. Overdried foliage is covered with black spots and has a pungent odor.
How to dry tobacco after fermentation
Fermentation of tobacco increases the amount of free nicotine in it. To do this, the crushed leaves are placed in a glass container and filled with alcohol or vinegar. Then the jar is shaken and left for a week in a dark place. After the specified time, the leaves are taken out and air dried.
Tobacco drying can be carried out using different methods, which differ in labor intensity and efficiency.This allows each person to choose the most suitable option.
