I found it! It took a bit of searching.
"On taking down the tobacco from the huts, the strings are placed lengthwise in small piles, after which they are taken and cut in half for making into small folded bundles.
These bundles are then carefully piled into stacks of 10,000 to 30,000 lbs; this needs a certain amount of skill and experience to obtain closely packed square-formed stacks. They should remain piled in this state for 6-8 months, preferably over a hot season in order to condition and dry out properly, before being ready for baling and export.
Fermentation of Latakia will only take place in large stacks of at least 80,000 lbs. when allowed to remain over a hot season in stores with reduced ventilation. The process also involves a certain amount of risks as the fermentation heating starts in the centre of the pile to a somewhat intense degree and this is difficult to control on account of the large size of the piles. However, it can be watched by either making a narrow tunnel in the pile towards the centre or preferaby by the insertion of a special thermometer for control. I have seen a similar method used in the Quebec district of Canada for the fermentation of the local cigar leaf.
During the hot summer months in the year following that in which the crop has been produced, fermentation is liable to start in the bulk and may spread quickly from the
centre of the pile showing at times intense heat in that quarter up to as much as 180°F. and liable to cause fire mould damage. In one instance I lost the greater part of a
pile owing to self-combustion resulting in the centre tobaccos being entirely charred."
--BAT
The highlight is mine. The aim is the same fermentation that can occur in large piles (on in kilns) for cigar leaf as well as other varieties. The objective is usually to keep the temperature below 130°F. In a kiln, we do this with a temp controller. In a pilon, the workers have to monitor the temp at the center of the pile, and promptly break-down the pile and rebuild it, when the temp at the center is about to rise above that. The reference to 180°F is a cautionary description of what can happen. 180°F won't start a fire, but it will spoil the Latakia.
Another cautionary tale: Even documents directly from huge tobacco companies, such as BAT, often include frankly incorrect information about varieties and processes related to Oriental tobaccos. They are often authoritative rumor, written by mid-level employees who have never directly witnessed what they are describing.
Bob
"On taking down the tobacco from the huts, the strings are placed lengthwise in small piles, after which they are taken and cut in half for making into small folded bundles.
These bundles are then carefully piled into stacks of 10,000 to 30,000 lbs; this needs a certain amount of skill and experience to obtain closely packed square-formed stacks. They should remain piled in this state for 6-8 months, preferably over a hot season in order to condition and dry out properly, before being ready for baling and export.
Fermentation of Latakia will only take place in large stacks of at least 80,000 lbs. when allowed to remain over a hot season in stores with reduced ventilation. The process also involves a certain amount of risks as the fermentation heating starts in the centre of the pile to a somewhat intense degree and this is difficult to control on account of the large size of the piles. However, it can be watched by either making a narrow tunnel in the pile towards the centre or preferaby by the insertion of a special thermometer for control. I have seen a similar method used in the Quebec district of Canada for the fermentation of the local cigar leaf.
During the hot summer months in the year following that in which the crop has been produced, fermentation is liable to start in the bulk and may spread quickly from the
centre of the pile showing at times intense heat in that quarter up to as much as 180°F. and liable to cause fire mould damage. In one instance I lost the greater part of a
pile owing to self-combustion resulting in the centre tobaccos being entirely charred."
--BAT
The highlight is mine. The aim is the same fermentation that can occur in large piles (on in kilns) for cigar leaf as well as other varieties. The objective is usually to keep the temperature below 130°F. In a kiln, we do this with a temp controller. In a pilon, the workers have to monitor the temp at the center of the pile, and promptly break-down the pile and rebuild it, when the temp at the center is about to rise above that. The reference to 180°F is a cautionary description of what can happen. 180°F won't start a fire, but it will spoil the Latakia.
Another cautionary tale: Even documents directly from huge tobacco companies, such as BAT, often include frankly incorrect information about varieties and processes related to Oriental tobaccos. They are often authoritative rumor, written by mid-level employees who have never directly witnessed what they are describing.
Bob
