Oriental Type Tobaccos
Tobacco is an annual herb from the nightshade family. It is one of the dicots from the world of flowering plants. Although it is a tropical plant in its origin, it is one of the most important industrial products of the world, which is cultivated in a very wide area between 60 degrees north and 40 degrees south latitudes. Although it is not a food item, it attracts attention as a plant with high economic activities, which are related to consumption and large masses in the world.
In tobacco plant systematics, the Solanaceae family is included in the genus "Nicotiana". There are approximately 65 species included in the Nicotiana genus. Of these species, only Nicotiana tabacum and nicotiana rustica species are cigarettes, cigars, pipes, snuff, etc. These are the forms of culture whose leaves are used in the production of tobacco products. 90% of the tobacco produced in the world is included in the Nicotiana tabacum type. The species known today is the only annual originating in America. Depending on the external conditions, it can be bi-annual or multi-year in hot regions.
Nicotiana tabacum is a plant that has different genetic and botanical characteristics, a large number of species and types, only distributed throughout the world. The easy adaptation of tobacco plants to different climate, soil and cultural practices has led to the formation of such a large number of species and types. Beginning in the century after the discovery of the American continent, tobacco is brought to the near east, where it is produced by European traders in the interior regions of the Mediterranean coast. It was first cultivated in the Drama and Xanthi regions of East Macedonia in 1569. Along with this geography, it started to spread to other regions of the Ottoman Empire in the 1600s. In the Eastern Mediterranean basin and inland regions, very different soil and climatic conditions and new cultivation and manual processing techniques contributed significantly to the development of new tobacco types (Oriental type tobacco), especially in the Ottoman geography.
Although the origin of oriental tobacco and its relationship with other types of tobacco has not been fully clarified, it is accepted that it originated from the American continent about 500 years ago. For a long time that has passed, their origins have been forgotten. Therefore, these tobaccos stand alone as a variety of Oriental-Turkish type tobacco, sought and demanded in international markets. Oriental-type tobacco consists of separate groups of origin that are sun-drying, forming a distinct group, changing in terms of structural adaptation, cultural techniques, manual processing and drying of leaf tobacco. Oriental tobacco rear Turkey and the Balkans is no way resemble the tobacco grown in the country five hundred years ago.
The main features of aromatic origins ; Small sized leaves, fine texture, vibrant colors ranging from yellow to orange to brown, soft taste and very distinctive taste and pleasant odor. Unlike other types of tobacco, small changes in climate, soil and cultural processes make changes in the quality of oriental tobacco leaves. For this reason, oriental tobacco is different from other types of tobacco. They require great mastery and expertise in production and manual processing applications, especially in classic and aromatic varieties.
In terms of botanical diversity and classification, aromatic types, small size and 7–15 cm long leaves are desired. This value is 25 cm. can go up. The general rule of thumb is that the leaf height is two or three times the width of the leaf. Most of the oriental tobacco varieties are stemless leaves, and some have short or long stems. The plant height varies between 1.20 and 1.80 m. The plant height of Greek and Turkish tobacco is between 0.60 and 1.50 m. The number of leaves harvested varies between 24-30. Except for regions that grow high quality oriental tobacco, the length of the tobacco leaf in some varieties can be 35 cm or larger with the same type of drying and manual processing techniques. Although these tobaccos have good yields, their quality is low. These low quality tobacco varieties are classified as semi-oriental tobacco. These can have the same aroma as oriental tobaccos, but have a harder smoking and almost neutral character.
Oriental type tobaccos are divided into two as aromatic and neutral tobaccos according to their morphological characteristics, commercial criteria and production regions. Basma tobacco aromatic tobacco from Xanthi Basma (fine-textured, small size, wide leaves), Zichni Basma (unique fragrant, small narrow leaves), Macedonia Basma (small size wide leaves), Izmir and Gümüşhacıköy (tobacco grown in Turkey best aromatic tobaccos can be counted as tobaccos with thin veins of leaves and strong odor depending on the geographical conditions of the regions where it grows. Neutral tobaccos with various morphological types with medium leaf size and tall plant structure are also classified as medium-sized and medium-sized plants with broad leaves and short stems (1).
Aromatic tobaccos are planted at the end of the cool, rainy winter season. They mature in hot, dry and sunny weather. A hot and dry climate is essential for limiting growth and efficient drying. In our country, these climatic features are in the Aegean region, and the best oriental tobaccos are grown in this region. In the production of aromatic-scented tobacco, the water requirement is met by rain, since irrigation is generally not possible and not performed. Some light rains for the compression subtypes provide enough water for additional growth in the early stages of growth. Both heavy and prolonged rains support growth and increase yields. Insufficient rainfall also reduces the yield. Much and less rainfall has a quality-degrading effect. İzmir origin tobaccos have adapted to the Aegean region in general, the Aegean climate. This region has the characteristics of rainy winter, moderate rainy spring and dry hot summer climate. Samsun tobacco becomes prominent with the lower temperatures and drier climates of the transition regions between the Mediterranean and continental climates, as well as the coastal areas.
Soil type, depth, fertility, and availability of water determine the type of tobacco that can be grown successfully in conjunction with the climate. The best aromatic tobacco grows in the Aegean region in shallow, stony, inefficient, sloping, reddish and gray color and mountain slopes. Very sunny and hot weather creates a resinous structure that helps the formation of small-sized leaves and allows the formation of aroma. Quality tobaccos with less fragrance are produced in the lower parts of the hills. There are deeper and more fertile soils here. Most of these tobacco soils in the Macedonian region are of sieve structure and have moisture holding capacity. Neutral tobacco varieties are mostly grown in lowland lands. It can be watered several times in dry years. In rich and heavy soils, odorless and coarse tobaccos that do not develop suitable colors are grown (2).
All of the tobacco varieties in the world are grown by first obtaining seedlings and transplanting them into the field. Being able to grow the seedlings required for planting in a sound, alive, well-developed and well-developed form on time is one of the important production stages of tobacco. Seedling preparation is the same for all tobacco types. Planting density is 3-4 times higher in oriental type tobacco than flue cured and burley tobacco types. Nursery care is almost the same. The tobacco seedlings that need to be planted per decare vary according to the production region and tobacco type.
The main nutrients of tobacco are nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and lime. In addition, it also requires micro elements such as magnesium, boron, manganese, sulfur, zinc, copper and iron. Proper fertilization depends on the fertility of the soil and the type of tobacco grown. The yield increase increases in parallel with the nitrogen feed. Soil type, climate and water condition and the presence of other nutrients in the soil negatively affect the quality after a certain point. Since the aim is not the highest production, but the most appropriate production, the fertilization of oriental type tobaccos should be done carefully. The amount of fertilizers to be used should not be compared with the amounts used in other tobacco types due to the differences in soil fertility in oriental type tobacco production. When the rain is less and there is no good distribution, the yield can be increased positively by irrigation. Irrigation for aromatic tobacco (oriental type) negatively affects the quality of tobacco, except in very dry years, when moderate irrigation improves the appearance of tobacco. Oriental-type tobaccos with neutral character can be watered moderately several times. This situation has a positive effect in terms of efficiency and quality.
Crushing and hiding harvesting processes applied to oriental type tobacco, virginia and burley tobacco are not applied. Leaves mature faster than other types. The maturity of tobacco leaves begins in the lower leaves. Harvest is also done from the bottom up. Crushing is done when the leaves turn light green yellow and there are blisters on the leaf blade between the veins. Crimea Harvest is completed in 4 or 5 times with 8 to 12-day intervals and 5-6 leaves are collected each time. Since the highest sugar content of oriental tobacco is found in the leaves at the end of the night towards the morning, Crimea starts at 4 o'clock at night and ends at 10 o'clock in the daytime. The crushed tobacco is transferred to strings of 2 - 3.5 m by lining up from the middle veins with approx. 40 cm needles. There are between 600 and 1,200 leaves in a row. Oriental type tobaccos are sun-dried. Sun drying time varies between 10-20 days. Since the lower leaves are weaker and thinner than the leaves on the upper part of the plant, they dry up in a short time. In order to prevent drying mistakes and burn spots, the first shredded tobacco is immediately taken out to the sun. Since the tissues of the upper leaves are stronger and thicker than the lower leaves, they are started to be dried in the sun after they wither in the shade for 1-3 days. In the drying of the veins, the strings are made by laying them on the soil or stone ground.
Sorting, scaling and baling is done in the high humid season when the rainy periods make the leaf texture soft. It is baled in the form of bunch, marker, line marker and string equivalent. In the Aegean region the row equivalent is 50-60 kg, the rumelikari row pastal equivalents in the Marmara region are 18-20 kg, the rumelikari row equivalents in the Black Sea region, and Alexandria baling in the Eastern and Southeastern regions (the equivalent of the row in Hatay). Especially after 2002, the transformation of cardboard box packaging has gained momentum in our tobacco production regions, instead of the difficult and skillful baling process. Care should be taken to ensure that the bales contain the same quality leaves. Producers are responsible for maintaining the bales until the tobacco is delivered to the buyers.
The quality of the leaf occurs when the planters and the elements, including air, soil, agricultural method, drying and hand processing, interact in harmony with each other. Small-sized leaves correspond to 5% of the leaf weight at best presses with very fine secondary and main streaks. Leaves that darken and grow golden yellow are characteristics of aromatic scented tobacco. Small tip leaves have a brown color and soft texture. Large leaves are considered to be less aromatic and unsuitable leaves. Neutral types are medium-sized and thin, lighter in color and have a better burning ability. The increase in leaf length decreases the aroma with its harder and bitter properties. In this case, the characteristics of semi-oriental tobacco types arise. A matte colored and worthless structure is formed in aromatic types produced without care. The aroma of oriental tobaccos is realized by the resinous substances created by the hairs on the leaf surface. The chemical properties of the dry tobacco leaf vary according to the production regions and tobacco types and especially the cultural processes applied such as fertilization and irrigation.
The nicotine content of aromatic and quality tobacco is considered to be 0.5-1%, and neutral tobacco is considered to be 1% on average. The sugar content is at the level of 15-18% and gives a sweet taste. Low nicotine content, suitable sugar ratio and high level of aromatic substances give cigarette blends the desired balance of taste and aroma. Neutral types are added to blends in order to make cigarettes with better flammability and medium smoking properties and to reduce nicotine content.
1- Tobacco Magazine in the Aegean 1992 Issue: 1 Author: Prof.Dr.Achille G.SFİCAS Translated by: Dr. Haluk TANRIVERDİ
2- Quality Qualities of Tobacco M.SARIOĞLU 1976 İstanbul