CIGARS AND THEIR QUALITIES 
‘A cigar consists essentially of three distinct 
parts: the body or inner part called the filler; 
the covering of the filler which is called the 
binder; and the outside finishing cover which 
is called the wrapper. Cuban cigars, however, 
consist of filler and wrapper only. 
Except in the case of cigars made in Cuba 
the wrapper leaf is usually of a different class 
of tobacco from the rest of the cigar, as the 
qualities to be fulfilled by each part is different. 
The qualities required in a cigar must be viewed 
both from the smokers’ and the manufacturers’ 
standpoints and the leaf must be such as to 
conform to these qualities. Thus the smoker is - 
concerned with the burning quality, the taste, 
flavor, aroma, color, general appearance and 
strength of the cigar. The manufacturer in 
addition to seeking leaf that will answer the 
smokers’ requirements also has an eye to econ- 
omy and requires the leaf to have qualities re- 
garding size, weight, texture, etc. Therefore, 
in the best cigar leaf the following qualities are 
more or less essential: (1) good color, (2) fair 
body, (8) a continuous pleasant aroma, (4) 
fine texture combined with a certain toughness, 
(5) small ribs and veins, (6) good combustion 
so that it will hold fire for 4 or five minutes. 
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