Latakia is the most popular Oriental tobacco and originally produced in the Syrian village of Latakia. Unlike the other small leaf Oriental tobaccos, Latakia is fire cured for a rich and aromatic flavour. The former Ottoman famers would air cure their tobacco before sale, producing golden tobacco. When an entire harvest ran the risk of becoming mouldy, the farmers strung the tobacco in the rafters of barns and lit fires below. The resulting tobacco had turned jet black and taken on the aromas of the woods and shrubs used to fuel the fire.
This fire cured tobacco smoked with a rich and pungent taste, but was smooth and very cool to smoke. The local farmers started using a combination of pine and herbs to give a woody and smoky flavour which became a staple with British tobacco blenders.
Latakia is no longer produced in Syria, all production has moved to the island of Cyprus just over the sea from the village. The methods are the same, but the Cypriot version has a more chargrilled element.
Latakia is not for everyone and you either love it or hate it, not many hold a middle ground. Often mixed with Virginia and other Oriental tobaccos, for what is considered an “English Mixture”. Latakia also works surprisingly well with Aromatic flavours, the cool nature ensures a smooth smoke.
Even though it may have a powerful and rich flavour, Latakia is low in Nicotine.
Composition
Blend - Latakia
Casings - None
Cut - Course Cut
Origin - Cyprus
Packaging - Loose
