Classification

a. Classification based on cultivated species

• Tobacco is classified into two cultivated species, viz; N. tabacum and N. rustica.

Distinguishable features between two cultivated species of Nicotiana

B. Classification based on botanical features, type and quality of raw tobacco and origin of ecotypes

tabacum is divided into 5 classes

a. Oriental tobacco

• Oriental tobacco includes two types of varieties, viz;

1. Macedonian varieties (without leaf petiole): ex: Basma, Debec.
2. Turkish varieties (with leaf petile): ex: Samsun, Trabzon.

• Oriental tobacco have high quality raw tobacco with low nicotine content (1-1.5%), higher content of aromatic substances and sugars and good burning quality. It is widely distributed in Turkey, Italy, Lebanon, Greece and Russia.

b. American tobacco

• They are large leaved varieties lighter in color with high quality tobacco (1.5-2% nicotine and 20-22% carbohydrates). The standard varieties around the globe are Virgina, Burley and Maryland. The USA and India are the greatest producers.

c. Southern Tobacco

• It includes two varieties viz Argentina and Brazil and are distributed in Brazil, China, Pakistan, India and Argentina.
• The raw tobacco is rich in nicotine (3-4%) and nitrogenous substances but poor in sugars.
• The raw tobacco is dark colored and is used in manufacture of low-quality cigarettes.

d. Island tobacco

• This type of tobacco is used for the manufacture of top-quality cigar raw tobacco and is concerned in South and Central America and Indonesia.
• Cigar tobacco contains much nicotine (3%) and aromatic substances with good burning quality.

e. Asian tobacco

• This type of tobacco contains high nicotine content (3-7%).
• It includes chewing tobacco such as Vairam and Sona.

C. Classification based on curing methods

1. Flue-cured tobacco

• Orinoco is the basic cultivar from which most of the cultivars have arisen such as Virginia Gold, Harrison special, Virginia Bright and Oxford.
• These flue-cured tobaccos are chiefly used in the manufacture of cigarettes and also for pipe and chewing tobacco.
• The bright yellow color is due to soil on which it is grown and on curing method.

2. Fire-cured tobacco

• Pryor is the principal cultivar originated from Orinoco.
• The main features are dark color, heavy body and distinctive flavor imparted by the smoke of the open fire used during curing.
• Fire curing produces tobacco low in sugar and high in nicotine. They are chiefly used as snuff and plug wrapper.

3. Air-cured tobacco

• Burley and Maryland are the principal varieties.
• Burley is used for cigarettes, pipes and chewing tobacco and Maryland is used only for cigarettes.
• Air-cured tobacco is low in sugar and high in nicotine that makes the smoke light and sweet in flavor.

4. Sun-cured tobacco

• Sun-curing method is used in Greece, Turkey and other Mediterranean countries to produce oriental tobacco.
• It is low in sugar and nicotine and is used in cigarette, cigars, chewing, bidi and hookah.

D. Cigar tobacco

• Cigar tobacco is classified into 3 categories as Cigar filler, Cigar binder and Cigar wrapper.

a. Cigar filler

• It is used to form the core of cigar.
• These strains are strong, aromatic and burn evenly forming firm white ash (good burning quality).
• Popular cultivars are Spanish and Dutch (basically oriental tobacco).

b. Cigar binder

• It is used to hold filter in shape.
• Cigar filler is a heavy leaf but binder is not as heavy as filer.
• Havana is the principal variety. These strains have strong leaves with good burning quality.

c. Cigar wrapper

• It is used for the final wrapping of the cigar.
• The leaves of cigar wrapper strains are free from flavor, thin and elastic with very fine veins and uniform quality.
• It must possess a pleasing luster and finish to appeal the traders and consumers.
• Popular varieties are Sumatra and Cuban.