Curing & Aging Tobacco

Tobacco Curing methods vary from simple natural curing to complicated commercial processes, that require special equipment. The fact is: raw tobacco leaves are not suitable for smoking. There some process required to reduce ammonia and harsh chemicals.

We will not discuss complicated curing methods here, but give simple ways to get smoke-ready tobacco from your homegrown tobacco leaves.

• Natural curing:

  • Hang whole plants upside down in an unheated garage, shed, or barn—a place exposed to changing weather but protected from rain.

  • Curing and aging takes at least 9 months, often longer.

  • The longer the aging, the smoother the smoke. Commercial tobacco is usually aged for 1 year or more.

  • A common saying: “The best tobacco is the one forgotten in the barn for 2 years.” Like wine, tobacco improves with age.

• Accelerated curing:

  • A faster home method can produce excellent smoking tobacco within the same season.

  • Simple, low-cost, and doesn’t require special equipment.

  • For full instructions, see our Accelerated Tobacco Curing Method booklet.