Tobacco treatment. Part 4
A LITTLE OF CHEMISTRY
Chemical composition of tobacco depends on sort, growth conditions, method and time of cropping and in large extent on soil composition.
Just gathered leafs contain 80-90% of water, after drying up in the leafs remain less than 1/3 of water. In two main tobaccos (Virginia, Burley) another 2/3 consist of next components:
Virginia
15-25% carbohydrates
16% alkaline agents
10% different acids
10% minerals
6% pectin
1-3,5% nicotine
Burley
20% different acids
10% pectin
10% tar
8% calcium
7% nitrogen
6% potassium
1.5-4.5% nicotine
Acidity (PH)
Virginia 5.0
Burley 5.8
But, it is clear, that smoker can be more interested not in content of tobacco leafs but content of tobacco smoke, although, of course, exist direct relation among them.
So, according to chemical reaction of the smoke it is possible to talk about two groups:
First - alkaline. These are tobaccos Burley and Kentucky.
Second - acidic. These are Virginia and Orient.
Smoke of alkaline group is dry, is practically free of sweetness and has big content of nicotine.
Smoke of acidic group is sweet and has less content of nicotine.
Kentucky, accordingly, is stronger, but Orient softer tobacco in their groups.
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