How is tobacco made?

Tobacco has been used in various forms for hundreds of years, but how is it actually made? The process is carefully controlled and consists of several steps, from cultivation to the preparation of the finished tobacco.

It all starts with the tobacco plant, which thrives in warm and humid climates. Tobacco is grown commercially in several parts of the world, with countries such as the United States, Brazil, China and Zimbabwe being some of the largest producers.

The plants can take between 2 and 6 months to mature, depending on the variety and growing conditions. When the tobacco leaves are ready to be harvested, they are picked by hand or by machine. Harvesting can be done in different ways:

• Leaf by leaf – A method where only the mature leaves are picked, allowing the plant to continue growing and developing new leaves.
• Whole plant – Here, the whole plant is harvested at once and then allowed to dry in its entirety.

Curing - an important part of tobacco production

After harvesting, the tobacco leaves need to be dried to preserve their properties and develop flavour. There are several drying methods, and the choice of method affects the final flavour and quality of the tobacco:

• Air drying – Leaves are hung in well-ventilated barns and allowed to dry slowly over several weeks. This method is often used for cigars and some types of pipe tobacco.
• Fire drying – Tobacco is dried using indirect heat from a fireplace, giving it a stronger and smokier flavour.
• Sun drying – Leaves are left to dry naturally in the sun. This method is mainly used in countries with a stable and warm climate.
• Oven drying – A method where controlled heat is used to speed up drying. This is common in the production of cigarette tobacco.

The curing process can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the method and type of tobacco.

Try IQOS ILUMA for 60 days

Discover a better alternative by heating tobacco instead of burning it.

No smell of smoke

Heats tobacco & nicotine without burning it

No second-hand smoke and no ash

With IQOS there is no fire and therefore no smoke or ash follows - and no cleaning required, ever, with our latest ILUMA series!

Try IQOS ILUMA

Try IQOS ILUMA for 60 days

Discover a better alternative by heating tobacco instead of burning it.

No smell of smoke

Heats tobacco & nicotine without burning it

No second-hand smoke and no ash

With IQOS there is no fire and therefore no smoke or ash follows - and no cleaning required, ever, with our latest ILUMA series!

Try IQOS ILUMA

Fermentation develops the flavour of tobacco

After drying, tobacco leaves undergo a fermentation process, where they are stored under controlled conditions to change their flavour and aroma. During this period, certain chemical substances are broken down, making the tobacco milder and more aromatic.

Fermentation can last from a few weeks to several years, depending on the type of tobacco to be produced. For example, cigar tobacco often requires a longer fermentation time than the tobacco used in cigarettes.

Processing and preparation

After fermentation, the tobacco is shredded, ground or pressed depending on its intended use. It can then be blended with other ingredients to give it a particular flavour profile or characteristic. For example, flavourings, humectants or sugars may be added to influence flavour and burn.