Zoning of the tobacco leaf produced in the Nicaragua north region, for geographical indication

Abstract

The study was carried out with the technical support of the Ministry of Development, Industry and Commerce (MIFIC) and the Nicaraguan Chamber of tobacco growers (CNT). The objective of the research was to show the relationship between the tobacco leaf produced in Nicaragua with the processes of pre-industry and industry, environmental variables. Qualitative and quantitative methods were applied to the collection of information. For the analysis of the data, descriptive and inferential statistics were applied. In the pre-industry and industry for the processing of the tobacco leaf the following stages are carried out: reception and quality control of the leaf of optimum range (20-30ºC), tobacco, fermentation of the tobacco leaves, aging, destemming, cigar making, packaging. It is important to highlight that the fermentation stage is considered a control point for the conservation and development of the quality of the attributes of the tobacco leaves (aroma, flavor, color, texture, combustion, ash color). The Estelí tobacco leaf has strong flavors, aroma with light coffee notes, dark brown tobacco color, thick texture and therefore slow burning rate and generates gray ash; On the other hand, the tobacco leaves of Condega produce strong and sweet flavors, aroma with light chocolate notes, tobacco color that goes from dark red to dark brown, medium texture, burning rate that goes from medium to slow and ash color Gray. The tobacco leaf from Jalapa and Ometepe are characterized by soft flavors and aromas related to the aroma of flowers and leather; The leaves are of medium to thin texture and slow burning speed, tobacco colors with light shades ranging from red to light red and white ash color. These differences in the attributes of tobacco allow companies to create different mixtures for the production of cigars with various flavors, aromas and colors. It should be noted that cigars are made entirely by hand and the experience of employees influences quality, which are recognized internationally and are currently positioned among the best cigars in the world. The environmental variables that affect the attributes of the tobacco leaf are mainly temperature and soil.