Friday, June 19 2009
By Didier Houvenaghel
Is the quality of the soil really so essential for the cigar production? It may sound like a silly question. However, many aficionados like to discuss the relation between cigar ashes and the soil composition. But is the ash's color only connected to the quality of the soil? Or, reversely, do the soil's minerals only have an influence on the quality of combustion? Of course it is not so simple. Let's try understand more about this.
The "agri" concept - Through their roots plants absorb the soil, water and mineral elements to produce crude sap, the basic nutrient of the vegetal. As it is for all living beings - including us humans - the quality and a good diversity of available nutrients is a key factor to the optimal development of the black tobacco. Moreover, the nutrient accessibility for the plant is imperative during its complete development cycle. Sometimes, the mineral elements are present but not absorbable by the plant. And to perpetuate the optimal production of black tobacco leaves, the regeneration of impoverished soils after each crop is also fundamental.
Thus, to insure the good balanced growth of the plants, the soil has to be considered a multifaceted and dynamic system: in other words, a progressive chemical, physical and biological complex. To maintain its long term quality, we must also respect the soil. A variety of treatments must be applied to preserve the soil with the goal of regenerating its chemical contents, physical properties and biological diversity: Before (soil analysis and preparation), during (hoeing, fertilization, and hilling) and after (fallow land and cultures rotation), the cultivation and high-quality management must be given to the land.
The production goal - The genetics of the planted black tobacco species will adapt to its plantation environment (based on the land itself and the agricultural expertise), to express a variety of coded characteristics.
In terms of the final objectives of the grower, the field production is assessed by the quantity and quality of the harvest. As a result, the grower will choose the plant variety and correlate his soil treatments in conjunction with his production goal. Plantations with different leaf objectives (i.e. ligero leaves, wrapper leaves, etc.) are handled differently. Hence, a diversified and balanced soil is essential for the production of enjoyable cigars, but it is far from being the only factor. Soil assessment cannot be de-correlated from the plant variety, the other environmental factors, and the grower's expertise. Moreover, a careful eye must be drawn with regard to the climate - rains, winds, temperature, etc. - since they all have a direct and significant influence on the soil and the plants.
From the field to the lips of the amateur - To be made into fine cigars, the green leaves and their quality (given by the soil, the environment, the variety and the expertise), must progress during the rest of the production process. Before becoming cigars, the green leaves - to see their agricultural quality preserved and developed - must go through necessary and highly sensitive transformations (drying, fermentations, and aging), and operations (classification, mid-rip stripping, blending, rolling, packing and conservation). After the soil's influence has been eliminated from the checklist, the remaining production process is much longer, and simple mistakes can unfortunately ruin the final quality of a leaf.
In conclusion - Growing black tobacco in excellent soils is essential for the production of fine cigars, but it cannot assure the production of great cigars. Other fundamental elements must be considered, but starting with rich soils will improve their chances.
If I were to boil it down to a cocktail recipe, it might read as follows: Start with good soil - the first vital step - then add a good plant variety, an important dose of know-how, and stir it all into a good environment and a great climate. After collection, add one part fine drying, a piece of sensational classification, and a measurement of excellent fermentations before adding a jigger of proper aging. Shake it with a significant amount of unique blending and great rolling topped with first-rate conservation. Then light up and savor with emotion.
Of course, this cocktail takes years of experience to perceive, understand, reproduce, and develop. The important thing to remember is, cigars are produced with passion and tasted with love! (_[ca]__{{{
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Didier Houvenaghel is a Belgian agricultural engineer who spent many years in Cuba studying tropical crops, specializing in black tobacco. His extensive research and knowledge of the tobacco growing and curing process led him to create Nicarao cigars, his own brand of Nicaraguan puros, now made in partnership with Rocky Patel. Didier is also the author of the book, The Cigar: From Soil to Soul.
(Above illustration by Gaëlle Houvenaghel)
