ArizonaDave
Well-Known Member
I'm going to go for the one on the far right 
An incredible chart there! Thanks for sharing!
An incredible chart there! Thanks for sharing!
FAQ about Turkish tobaccos
- Thread starter istanbulin
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Ozark Lady
Member
A very interesting post, and some interesting debates.
Mad Oshea
Taking a break
On the Turkish Izmir, I primed them at snap. #1 on that chart. The color was as posted- With a green tint to the leaf at cure. The flavor was very good and mixed well with the cig. blends. I tried it in cigars as well as pipe blends. I prefer to blend in the cig. and pipe alone catagory. Tast was off for Me on cigars.
garryricketson
Well-Known Member
Went thru the entire thread, did not find this question,. , What oriental, or turkish has the highest nicotine content ? Thanks,
ahh, PS, interesting thread though too,...
ahh, PS, interesting thread though too,...
For high nicotine, you might try Trebzon, a Samsun-type that is notoriously potent. Most Orientals are renowned for their smoothness and low nicotine.
Bob
Bob
Yes, Trabzon is high in nicotine but it may disappoint you if you're looking for a typical "Oriental" taste. It was used for adding extra nicotine in all-Turkish cigarette blends and cigar blends (along with imported/domestic cigar and even with Turkish tobaccos) in the past. Today, nobody grows it commercially because both imported and domestically grown high nicotine varieties cost less, e.g. Burley.
Although I prefer low nicotine "classic Oriental" tobaccos, Trabzon is a good alternative for "nicotine lovers". It does not choke up your throat like a Burley, easy to smoke (relatively), but may cause dizziness when smoked alone. Irrigation and fertilization increases its nicotine content, up to a certain point, which is permissive for this variety.
Although I prefer low nicotine "classic Oriental" tobaccos, Trabzon is a good alternative for "nicotine lovers". It does not choke up your throat like a Burley, easy to smoke (relatively), but may cause dizziness when smoked alone. Irrigation and fertilization increases its nicotine content, up to a certain point, which is permissive for this variety.
I never quite know how to spell "Trabzon." During Byzantine times, the city was referred to as Trapisond and Trebizond. I guess I need to look at a contemporary map.
Bob
Bob
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skychaser
Well-Known Member
Bob, Do you know what the actual nicotine content is? Grin lists some chemical analysis for it, but not the nic content. I haven't come across any orientals with a nic content over 2.5%. Personally, I don't consider that very high. I'm growing Trabzon this year, along with about a dozen other orientals.
Let me help, it was spelled "Trebizond" (in Eng.) in the past. You did have a problem with Yenice the other day, anyway.
winston-smoker
Well-Known Member
In ancient times (pre-Byzantine), the city was called Trapezus.
Yes! Trapezus. Thank you. I couldn't put my finger on the early Greek name. It became the Kingdom of Trebizond when the Comnenus (can't remember which one) Emperor fled to Trapezus from Byzantium under the onslaught of the 4th Crusade (whose righteous leaders thought more riches were to be had by conquering Eastern Christendom, than by having the bother of traveling all the way to the Holy Lands).
It's surprising how little most Americans know about Trabzon/Trebizond/Trapezus, since that city was the western terminus of the famous Silk Road, that originated in China, wandered thousands of miles through Asia, into Bactria (in northern Afghanistan), and on to the Black Sea coast at Trapezus. For many hundreds of years, Trabzon was Europe's "Factory Outlet Store" for everything Oriental.
Bob
It's surprising how little most Americans know about Trabzon/Trebizond/Trapezus, since that city was the western terminus of the famous Silk Road, that originated in China, wandered thousands of miles through Asia, into Bactria (in northern Afghanistan), and on to the Black Sea coast at Trapezus. For many hundreds of years, Trabzon was Europe's "Factory Outlet Store" for everything Oriental.
Bob
Actually, the 4th Crusade ruined Constantinople and led to establish the Latin Empire and successor states of Byzantine Empire where the Comnenus Dynasty retrated (e.g. Trebizond). After only 40 years, Empire of Trebizond became a vassal state of the Mongol Empire (Ilkhanate). Actually who did not, those times.
winston-smoker
Well-Known Member
Yet the "Empire of Trebizond" managed to outlast the Palaeologos-ruled "reestablished" Byzantine Empire (1261-1453) by eight years, lasting until 1461.
Had they only been able to hang on another 60 years or so, the peasants might have been able to sit back and have a good smoke, while they watched the palaces of the elite being sacked.
Bob
Bob
garryricketson
Well-Known Member
Ok, thanks, on that,..since I have been told that probably orientals would do better in my area/conditions, that is why my interest, and the Bursa I planted sure is doing well, at least compared to the Rustica,..
@skychaser, I used to live in central Washington, near Ellensburg, Yakima, worked in a apple orchard there, for almost 5 years,
@skychaser, I used to live in central Washington, near Ellensburg, Yakima, worked in a apple orchard there, for almost 5 years,
Q4: What are the comparative leaf sizes of Turkish tobaccos ?
Leaves of the most Turkish tobaccos are smaller, actually tiny when compared to American varieties. Besides this, there're few large leafed varieties too.
According to long term sampling works, a size chart was created* for various Turkish tobaccos. Here it is.
<tbody>
</tbody>
* By measuring main leaves (middle position).
The most discussed variety about its size in the forum is, as far as I can see, Bursa. Average dimensions (width x length) of Bursa is 8.25 x 12.5 cm (3.2 x 4.9 inches) and average dimensions (width x length) of İzmir is 6 x 8.5 cm (2.4 x 3.3 inches). So actually Bursa is, averagely, 2.25 cm (0.9") longer and 4 cm (1.6") wider than İzmir.
These given dimesions were taken from traditionally grown plants so when they're grown more wide apart (or excessively irrigated, fertilized etc.) these dimensional gaps between the varieties may increase. The ratio may remain stable but I haven't performed (or seen) any measurements for that. If you have, you may inform.
This comparative image* may help you to form an opinion about the leaf sizes of some Turkish varieties.
* Images belong to cured/dried leaves.
Leaves of the most Turkish tobaccos are smaller, actually tiny when compared to American varieties. Besides this, there're few large leafed varieties too.
According to long term sampling works, a size chart was created* for various Turkish tobaccos. Here it is.
| Variety | Width cm (inch) | Length cm (inch) | Verbally |
| İzmir | 5-7 (2-2.8) | 5-12 (2-4.7) | Small - Moderately medium |
| Düzce | 5-7.5 (2-3) | 10-15 (3.9-5.9) | Moderately small - Medium |
| Trabzon | 15-20 (5.9-7.9) | 20-50 (7.9-19.7) | Large |
| Samsun Maden | 3.5-5.5 (1.4-2.2) | 7-17 (2.8-6.7) | Small |
| Bursa | 6.5-10 (2.6-3.9) | 10-15 (3.9-5.9) | Moderately small - Medium |
| Agonya - Balıkesir | 8.5-14.5 (3.3- 5.7) | 15-25 (5.9-9.8) | Medium - Moderately small |
| Taşova | 6-12 (2.4-4.7) | 12-20 (4.7-7.9) | Medium |
| Samsun Canik | 3-4 (1.2-1.6) | 7-12 (2.8-4.7) | Small |
| Bitlis | 4.5-11.5 (1.8-4.5) | 15-25 (5.9-9.8) | Medium |
| Gümüşhacıköy - Xanthi | 2.5-5.5 (1-2.2) | 3-6.5 (1.2-2.6) | Small |
| Yayladağ | 8-10 (3.1-3.9) | 15-25 (5.9-9.8) | Medium - Moderately Large |
| Adıyaman - Çelikhan | 6.5-12 (2.6-4.7) | 20-32 (7.9-12.6) | Medium - Moderately Large |
| Bucak | 12-15 (4.7-5.9) | 35-40 (13.8-15.7) | Large |
<tbody>
</tbody>
* By measuring main leaves (middle position).
The most discussed variety about its size in the forum is, as far as I can see, Bursa. Average dimensions (width x length) of Bursa is 8.25 x 12.5 cm (3.2 x 4.9 inches) and average dimensions (width x length) of İzmir is 6 x 8.5 cm (2.4 x 3.3 inches). So actually Bursa is, averagely, 2.25 cm (0.9") longer and 4 cm (1.6") wider than İzmir.
These given dimesions were taken from traditionally grown plants so when they're grown more wide apart (or excessively irrigated, fertilized etc.) these dimensional gaps between the varieties may increase. The ratio may remain stable but I haven't performed (or seen) any measurements for that. If you have, you may inform.
This comparative image* may help you to form an opinion about the leaf sizes of some Turkish varieties.
* Images belong to cured/dried leaves.
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An excellent representation of the incredible helpful information you provide, thanks.
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