Monday, April 19, 2010

How Do They Make Cigars?

By Brian Mallikarjunan

Those who have smoked cigars for any length of time, and even those who have never lit up a stogie in their life, are often curious to learn about how cigars are made. You will find that there are various methods of making cigars. You can find cigars that are machine crafted as well as those that are hand rolled. Many people tend to prefer the hand rolled cigars. The process of making the cigars, whether they are hand rolled or machine made, begins the same. It begins with the tobacco.

Cigar making starts with the planting and harvesting of tobacco, of course. Countries from around the world have tobacco crops dedicated to making cigars. When the tobacco is mature and harvested, the manufacturers cure it. Air curing or fire curing are the most common methods used. When the curing is complete, the crafting of the cigar begins. The filler has moisture added to it and then is dried to ensure that it will roll properly. The wrapper has moisture added as well. As soon as the moisture levels are correct, the wrapping begins, either by hand or by machine.

You will find that the cigars are then classified by their strength. The classifications are mild, medium, and full. They are also crafted in various sizes and shapes. The diameter of the cigar is called the ring gauge. The cigars are named based on their size. Some of the popular cigar names that you will find from various manufacturers include Robusto, Corona, and Churchill.

When the cigars are packed into the cigar box, they are classified according to their color. This helps to ensure that all of the cigars in the box look the same. The colors are based on various shades and it takes a keen eye to ensure that all of the cigars in a single box are the same shade.

No matter the flavor or size of cigar you want to smoke, you are going to be able to find something to like. From the long filler hand rolled to the little machine made cigars, there is something for everyone. You will find that the hand rolled cigars are often going to cost more than the machine made, simply because the hand rolled takes far longer to craft. The next time you use your cigar lighter to light up one of your favorite smokes, you will know a little bit more about how they came to be.

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