STORAGE AND AGING 



Tobacco in its freshly-cured state as marketed by growers is not suit- 

 able for manufacturing purposes. Aging is required to complete its develop- 

 ment. This involves chemical change, and in many respects may be regarded 

 as an extension of the curing process. The taste of freshly-cured leaf is 

 unpalatable and the aroma is biting and pungent. Aging improves the aroma 

 and tends to eliminate rawness, harshness, and, in part, the bitter tast^ 

 which characterizes the leaf when it is first cured. 



Tobacco is normally marketed in "higher order" (containing more mois- 

 ture than is desirable for storage) and the moisture level must be reduced 

 or the leaf will decay or deteriorate in storage. As soon as it goes into 

 the hands of the dealer or manufacturer, tobacco is rapidly prepared for 

 storage. 



From the standpoint of handling and preparation for storage, U.S. to- 

 bacco falls into two groupings; auction areas (types 11-37) and cigar leaf 

 areas (types 41-62). 



Auction Market Areas 



The tobacco sold in the auction market is packed in hogsheads or cases 

 for storage and aging. Hogsheads are round barrel -type containers usually 

 about 4 feet in diameter and 4 to 5 feet in height . The use of hogsheads 

 dates back to early colonial days when the grower packed his own tobacco and 

 had to get it to a river port. These barrel-like containers could be rolled 

 along the roadways leading to the ports. Some tobacco that is to be export- 

 ed is packed in boxes or cases. A hogshead of dry tobacco will weigh 950 to 

 1,200 pounds depending on the type and method of packing. A case weighs about 

 450 pounds. 



The process of preparing tobacco for storage in hogsheads is known as 

 redrying and all tobacco sold at auction, with two notable exceptions, is 

 handled in this manner. The two exceptions are Kentucky-Tennessee fire-cured 

 tobacco which can tolerate a higher moisture content and is often packed with 

 no redrying at all, and Maryland tobacco which is normally sold in a very dry 

 condition not requiring any redrying. 



The redrying process involves (1) the almost complete removal of moisture 

 from the tobacco and (2) the application of a uniform moisture content 

 throughout all the leaf. Redrying is the most expeditious method of getting 

 the tobacco into the proper order (condition with respect to its moisture 

 content) for storage. Uniform moisture content helps to reduce breakage in 

 packing, and aids in the "aging and fermentation" of the leaf. Most of there- 

 drying facilities are concentrated in towns where the larger auction markets 

 are located. Modern redrying plants are high buildings containing highly so- 

 phisticated and expensive equipment. During the height of the buying season 

 many plants will operate 24 hours a day. 



- 38 



