Cigars are not ordinary tobacco products, they are a luxury, a work of art, a culture. The ** of cigars is not generally expensive, and some can even buy a car, or a villa.
So, why are high-end cigars so expensive?This article will demystify cigars for you and let you know about the history, making and other aspects of cigars.
Cigars, a seemingly simple tobacco product, actually have a long and mysterious history. Its origins can be traced back to the American continent more than 500 years ago, when indigenous people rolled dried fermented tobacco leaves with palm or plantain leaves, lit them and smoked them, which was the most primitive cigar.
In 1492, when Columbus discovered the New World, he also discovered this peculiar way of smoking and brought tobacco seeds back to Europe. From there, the cigar began its spread and evolution around the world.
The cigar's English name, cigar, is derived from the Mayan word sikar, which means to smoke. The Chinese name of the cigar was created by the famous poet Xu Zhimo when he shared the cigar with the Nobel Prize winner Rabindranath Tagore in 1924. Xu Zhimo compared the burning ash of a cigar to white snow, and the tobacco roll of a cigar to an eggplant, hence the name cigar.
Cigars are not only rich in culture, but also complex in their production. It is composed of three layers of tobacco leaves with different parts, different qualities and different flavors, which can only be completed through multiple processes such as careful selection, cutting, rolling, pressing, cutting, and packaging. A good cigar needs to go through years or even decades of air drying, fermentation, aging and other processes before it can develop a charming aroma and taste.
The process of making a cigar can be said to be an art as well as a science. It involves tobacco planting, harvesting, blending, fermentation, rolling, cutting, packaging and other links, each of which requires excellence to ensure the quality and flavor of cigars. Let's take a look at the process of making a cigar.
First of all, there is the cultivation of tobacco. The main production areas of cigar tobacco are Cuba, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua and other Caribbean regions, as well as Brazil, Indonesia, China and other countries. Different origins, with different climates, soils and varieties, affect the growth and characteristics of tobacco.
Cigar tobacco is divided into three layers: the wrapper (outer skin), the binder (inner wrapper) and the filler (core leaf). The wrapper is the outermost tobacco leaf that wraps around the entire cigar and requires a smooth and delicate appearance, uniform color, and a rich and mellow flavor. The binder is the middle layer of tobacco leaves, which is used to wrap the filler, which requires good elasticity, not easy to break, and medium flavor. The filler is the innermost leaf of tobacco and is used to fill the body of the cigar and is required to be soft and breathable with a light flavor.
In order to obtain a high-quality wrapper, shade cultivation is generally used, that is, a shade net or shade cloth is built on the tobacco field to reduce direct sunlight and make the tobacco leaves soft and delicate.
Secondly, there is the tobacco harvest. The harvesting of cigar tobacco leaves is very particular and must be carried out in a state where the leaves have not yet turned yellow, that is, they are not ripe. The chemical composition of the tobacco leaves harvested in this way is stable, which is conducive to subsequent drying and fermentation. After harvesting, the tobacco leaves should be sent to the drying room or drying shed in time for drying.
Again, it's the drying of tobacco. Drying is the process of gradually losing water from tobacco leaves under certain temperature, humidity and ventilation conditions, and various chemical changes occur at the same time.
Drying can be divided into four stages: withering stage, color change stage, color fixing stage and dry gluten stage. During the drying process, the contents of pigments, total sugars, proteins, nicotine and chlorogenic acid in tobacco leaves decreased, while the contents of the characteristic aroma substances rutin and oscopine in cigar tobacco increased. Drying darkens the color of the cigar leaves, reduces miscellaneous flavors, and softens the taste.
Then, there is the fermentation of tobacco. Fermentation refers to the process of further degradation and mellowing of tobacco leaves by accumulation or packing at a certain temperature and humidity. Fermentation can be divided into two methods: stacked fermentation and boxed fermentation. Stacking fermentation is to pile tobacco leaves together in a certain order and height, using the weight and temperature of the tobacco leaves themselves to promote the degradation and transformation of tobacco leaves.
Packing fermentation is to put the tobacco leaves into a special wooden box, place them in a warehouse with constant temperature and humidity, and periodically change the position and direction of the wooden box, so that the tobacco leaves are subjected to uniform pressure and temperature. The fermentation time varies depending on the variety, quality, and flavor of the tobacco leaves, and generally ranges from a few months to a few years.
The fermented cigar leaves are darker in color, more aromatic, less irritating, and more pleasant in taste.
Finally, there is the rolling, cutting, and packaging of the cigars. The rolling of cigars is a highly technical and artistic job that requires a long period of training and practice to master. There are two types of cigar rolling: hand-rolled and machine-rolled.
Hand-rolling is the process of hand-rolling the filler, binder and wrapper into a complete cigar by hand by an experienced cigar master (torcedor). Machine rolling is when a machine rolls a pre-cut tobacco leaf into a cigar.
In general, hand-rolled cigars are of higher quality and more expensive, while machine-rolled cigars are of lower quality and less expensive. Once the cigar has been rolled, it is also cut to trim the ends of the cigar into a shape such as flat or beveled, and it is sorted according to different specifications.
Finally, there is the packaging of cigars, that is, the cigars are put into boxes of different materials and forms in a certain order and way, and the corresponding labels, seals, anti-counterfeiting marks, etc. are affixed.
Above we have learned about the cigar making process, and each link will affect the quality and flavor of the cigar. As a result, cigars fluctuate and are affected by many factors. So, what exactly determines the ** of a cigar?Below, we will reveal the secrets one by one.
First of all, the quality and origin of the tobacco leaves are the most important factors affecting cigars**. The quality of tobacco leaves depends on multiple links such as planting, harvesting, drying, and fermentation, each of which needs to be carefully managed and monitored to ensure the aroma, flavor, color, and combustion performance of tobacco leaves.
The origin of tobacco will also affect it, because different soil, climate, altitude and other conditions will cause differences in tobacco leaves.
In general, Cuban tobacco is considered to be the best quality tobacco because of its unique natural conditions and long history of cultivation. And, due to the U.S. ban on Cuba, Cuban tobacco is also scarce and mysterious, and therefore higher.
Secondly, the type and shape of the cigar will also affect it**. The type of cigar refers to the length and diameter of the cigar, and generally speaking, the larger the cigar, the more tobacco leaves are used, and the higher the cigar.
The shape of a cigar refers to whether the cross-section and ends of the cigar are symmetrical, and generally speaking, the more complex the shape requires the higher the rolling technique, and the higher the **. For example, conical cigars such as Torpedo and Perfecto are more difficult to roll and therefore more expensive than standard-shaped cigars such as parejo.
Again, the packaging and branding of a cigar can also affect its**. The packaging of a cigar not only protects and beautifies the cigar, but also serves as a way for the cigar maker to showcase their brand image and style. Generally speaking, the more elaborate and delicate the packaging, the higher the cost, and the higher the premium.
For example, some cigars will be packed in glass or aluminium tubes for individual cigars, or in wooden or leather boxes for entire boxes of cigars, which will increase the value of the cigars.
The brand of a cigar also influences its**, as the brand represents a reputation, credibility, and quality. Generally speaking, the more famous and historical a brand is, the more attractive it is to consumers, and the higher it is. For example, well-known brands like Cohiba, Montecristo and D**Idoff are more expensive than some niche brands.
Finally, market demand and tax policies can also affect cigars**. Market demand refers to a consumer's preference and purchasing power for a certain cigar or brand, and generally speaking, the more sought-after and rare cigars are in short supply, the higher the demand.
Cigars and cigarettes are two different tobacco products that differ greatly in appearance, manufacturing process, smoking style, taste, value, and harm.
In appearance, cigars are thicker and longer than cigarettes, have no filter, and are covered with a full tobacco leaf in a variety of colors, including brown, black, green, etc. Cigarettes are short, thin, have a filter, and are covered with pine or cigarette paper, and are generally white or brown in color.
In terms of production process, cigars need to go through multiple processes such as drying, fermentation, and aging, and then are hand-rolled by professional craftsmen. Different parts of the cigar (filler, binder, wrapper, cap) need to be made with tobacco leaves of different varieties, origins, and fermentation methods.
Cigarettes are crushed tobacco leaves, some chemical components (such as flavors, accelerants, etc.) are added, and then mass production is carried out by machinery.
In terms of smoking, the cigar does not enter the lungs, only stays in the mouth, and then exhales. The taste of the cigar is the most original taste of tobacco and can be further experienced by rolling in (exhaling through the nose). Cigarettes are smoked in the lungs to allow the brain to ingest nicotine to satisfy addiction.
In terms of taste, cigars have different flavors, depending on factors such as tobacco variety, origin, fermentation method and recipe, there can be various variations such as Cuban flavor, cocoa flavor, earthy flavor, honey flavor, floral aroma and so on. Cigars can also be paired with different drinks (such as whiskey, red wine, etc.) to add flavor to your preference.
Cigarettes, on the other hand, are relatively monotonous, with almost the same dry, odorless, or nasal irritating odor except for differences in strength.
In terms of value, cigars are much more expensive than cigarettes. A regular cigarette costs a few dollars at most, and a lowest-end Cuban cigar costs a few dozen dollars. Not to mention some high-end brands or limited edition cigars, ** tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands.
Smoking a cigar requires a certain amount of economic strength and status, and it is also a symbol of taste and style. Cigarettes are closer to the general public, more for enjoyment or to cope with the occasion.
In terms of harm, cigars and cigarettes are fundamentally harmful to health. But if you compare, cigars may be less harmful to the human body than cigarettes. First of all, cigars do not enter the lungs and only stay in the mouth, so the damage to the lungs will be much less than that of cigarettes.
Cigarettes pass through the lungs, and cigarette filters and paper rolls contain harmful chemicals, which produce more toxic particles and gases when burned, which enter the lungs and cause chronic inflammation and cancer. Secondly, the tobacco leaves of cigars are naturally air-dried, fermented and mellowed, without adding any flavors, accelerants and other chemicals.
Cigarettes are crushed tobacco leaves and a lot of chemicals are added, which can cause damage to the nervous system, cardiovascular system, digestive system, etc. after inhalation into the human body.
From the above introduction, we can see that cigars are a high-end tobacco product, which has a long history, fine production, diverse flavors and expensive **. Cigars are very different from cigarettes, not only in appearance and craftsmanship, but also in the way they are smoked and the degree of harm.
Cigars are more of a symbol of taste and style than a tool for addiction and harm. However, cigars are not completely harmless, and smoking in any form can cause damage to the human body as well as effects on those around them. Therefore, while we enjoy the pleasure of cigars, we should also take care to protect our own health and the health of others.
Finally, we can think about a question: why is a cigar that costs 20,000 yuan to smoke and can be sold for 7.82 million yuan?Is it because of its own value, or is it because of the meaning we give it?