Latakia (tobacco)
Latakia tobacco (Arabic: تبغ اللاذقية) is a specially prepared tobacco originally produced in Syria and named after the port city of Latakia. Now the tobacco is mainly produced in Cyprus. It is initially sun-cured like other Turkish tobaccos[1] and then further cured over controlled fires of aromatic woods and fragrant herbs, which gives it an intense smokey-peppery taste and smell. Too strong for most people's tastes to smoke straight, it is used as a "condiment" or "blender" (a tobacco added in measured quantities to other tobaccos to create a blend), especially in English, Balkan, and some American Classic blends.
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Latakia is mainly grown in Cyprus and northern Syria. After the leaves are harvested and dried, they are hung in tightly closed barns and smoke-cured. Small smoldering fires of aromatic woods and herbs fill the barn with smoke, and cover the leaves with smoke particles. [2]
Latakia was "discovered" when a bumper crop resulted in surplus, and the excess tobacco was stored in the rafters. The peasant farmers traditionally used wood for cooking and heating in the winter. The smoke-cured tobacco's unique flavoring and taste was discovered the following spring. Latakia produces a very rich, heavy taste, with an aroma that has a "smoky" characteristic. Latakia is an ingredient of traditional English mixtures. The content can vary from a few percent to about 40-50%, or even more. A few smokers like it at 100%.
A modern perfume called Fumerie Turque (Turkish Smoke) was created by French company Serge Lutens, reproducing a fragrance in emulation of Latakia tobacco.[3]