The process that goes into grading tobacco is very important. To ensure the best crop, farmers should grade, store, and harvest their crops properly. Funnels has a great relationship with its tobacco growers, and we make sure that all of our crops are harvested, graded, and stored in the proper manner.
Today, Funnels is going to shed some light on the process that our leaves undergo. This process is what separates our products from the products that other companies have.
From the specs on grading to the way tobacco is stored, this article will give an insightful look into where our tobacco comes from and the journey it takes to get to your doorstep.
Today, Funnels is going to shed some light on the process that our leaves undergo. This process is what separates our products from the products that other companies have. From the specs on grading to the way tobacco is stored, this article will give an insightful look into where our tobacco comes from and the journey it takes to get to your doorstep.
How should tobacco be stored? First, the grower must look at the leaf’s color, size, maturity, texture, and position (“Consideration in Tobacco Growing” (1). Tobacco of separate grades must be stored separately (1). Tobacco from different grades of soil should be stored separately, too (1). The color of the leaf also determines storage. No leaves of different colors should be stored together (1). Basically, like-products go with like-products. The process is very meticulous and growers must be very fastidious. Even the barn that the tobacco is stored in and the rope used to string tobacco goes into consideration.
The size of butts is considered in the process. According to The Herald, “The size of butts should be between 25 mm and 28 mm” (1). If the butts do not fall within this range, they will probably be rejected (1). Short leaves should be kept with short leaves, and long leaves should be kept with long leaves (1). This is quite a process, indeed.
Grading of strips is a different process. It is a much easier one as well (1). “Strips are long pieces of leaf that have been threshed or cut away from the stem while scrap is leaf that is broken into small pieces” (1). Strip storage is not as stringent a process. Colors can be mixed and length is not as important (1). In scrap, the only separation occurs between “thin leaf grades and bodied leaf and tips” (1).
The removing of ribs and rot is a tedious process. “Two-thirds of the mid-rib and all signs of barn-rot or mold should be removed from the strips,” states The Herald (1). No one wants damaged tobacco products. Mold has the ability to spread, too. If spread, mold could ruin an entire shipment of tobacco.
At Funnels, all of our products are processed to standard. We take pride in the quality products that we sell. In our market, we are one of the only companies that sell quality tobacco at a good price. Our representatives make sure that all of our tobacco meets strict criteria. That is why Funnels is known for its quality tobacco products.
“Considerations in Tobacco Grading.” The Herald. The Herald, 03 Mar. 2016. Web. 18 Mar. 2016. http://www.herald.co.zw/considerations-in-tobacco-grading/
Leave a Reply