leverhead
Well-Known Member
Kilning flue-cured tobacco will definitely change it. I kilned some from my 2012 season, I liked it so much that the balance of '12 and all of '13 went into the kiln. My leaf got redder (darker) and a much nicer smoke. Before anybody gets pissed off at me, don't do that with any more than you're willing to throw away! For my taste it's perfect, your mileage may vary. AmaxB did a very good post about kilning. My methods differ from his for moisture control and temperatures, but after sampling some his work, it comes out every bit as good as mine. Istanbulin has posted (somewhere) a kilning schedule for Turkish tobacco's, the temperatures are lower and the time is shorter. I wouldn't consider temperature or the RH to be set in stone, arguing that the Cavendish and Perique processes are extreme examples of artificial aging might be fun. I have kilned shredded tobacco, it works just fine. Doing your homework is a good thing, punishment for crimes against tobacco is of course, loss of your tobacco.