Why I Started Growing My Own Cigars

The Fascination of Growing Tobacco 00:01

"The main reason I've been growing tobacco and crafting cigars... is because I find the process itself fascinating."

• Mike emphasizes his passion for the intricate process of tobacco cultivation and cigar crafting, highlighting it as an enthralling craft that requires significant skill, patience, and artistry.

• He expresses a desire to connect closely with what he consumes, wanting to fully understand how the products he uses are produced, just as he does with his gardening and food.

Tobacco Plants and Their Unique Characteristics 01:13

"Tobacco belongs to the nightshade family, the same plant family that includes tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants."

• Mike explains that tobacco is surprising similar to tomatoes in terms of cultivation, with the major difference being that while tomatoes produce fruit, tobacco focuses on growing leaves.

• He details how tobacco plants have evolved a defense mechanism against insects, producing nicotine, which acts as a neurotoxin. This chemical is essential not just for the plant’s survival, but also plays a significant role in the psychoactive effects appreciated by humans when consumed.

Historical Context of Tobacco Cultivation 02:19

"Tobacco became widely used by many indigenous cultures of the Americas for medicinal purposes, spiritual practices, or ceremonial rituals."

• The history of tobacco farming is addressed, illustrating its significance among indigenous cultures across the Americas and how it transitioned to Europe after the arrival of Europeans in the late 1400s.

• By the 1600s, tobacco was cultivated and traded worldwide, marking its evolution into a global commodity.

Legal Considerations for Growing Tobacco 02:41

"It's very important... if you're interested in growing tobacco, to check with your local laws to see if it's legal."

• Mike underscores the importance of checking local regulations before attempting to grow tobacco, as its legality varies by region.

• In his area, growing tobacco for personal use is permissible, leading him to explore this endeavor despite initial doubts about feasibility due to climate constraints.

Growing Conditions and Techniques 03:17

"What I realized quickly is that tobacco can actually grow in a lot more climates than people think."

• Through building a greenhouse, Mike discovered that tobacco could thrive in his climate zone of 7A, contrary to his prior assumptions that it could only grow in warmer areas like Cuba or the Dominican Republic.

• He shares his experimentation with growing tobacco both indoors and outdoors, noting surprising success rates when planted directly in the garden.

Selecting Tobacco Seeds and Initial Planting 04:10

"To start them indoors, I use some of these plastic cells and some seed starting mix."

• Choosing the right tobacco seeds is essential, and Mike favors cultivars designated for cigar production to experiment in his environment.

• He emphasizes the need for pre-moistened soil and discusses the delicate process of planting the tiny tobacco seeds, as they require warmth and proper humidity for germination.

Tobacco Growth Stages 06:12

"After growing for about 6 to 8 weeks, the plants start looking... like this."

• Mike outlines the growth timeline of tobacco plants, noting the establishment of roots and rapid growth as the season warms.

• He describes the beauty of tobacco flowers and the careful consideration needed when deciding whether to top the plants or let them flower for seed harvesting.

The Importance of Harvesting Timing 07:04

"Picking the leaves at the right time is very important."

• As the leaves mature, they undergo a ripening process that must be monitored closely. Proper harvesting ensures that chlorophyll is reduced, which is crucial for the flavor and quality of the resulting tobacco.

• Mike illustrates that the transition from green to yellow in the leaves is vital for successful curing, and experimentation with various ripening levels can affect the final smoking experience.

Harvesting Tobacco Leaves 08:16

"The best technique for harvesting is to do it in stages because the ripening starts from the bottom leaves first."

• The process of harvesting tobacco involves picking leaves in stages, starting from the lower leaves, which ripen first.

• As the leaves on the lower parts of the plant begin to mature, they are harvested every few days until all leaves are stripped from the stalk.

Processing and Curing Tobacco 08:37

"The leaves turn from green to yellow to brown, with starches converting to sugars, and proteins breaking down."

• After harvesting, the tobacco leaves undergo significant transformations during processing, changing in color and chemical composition.

• Traditionally, tobacco leaves are hung in protected structures, like barns, to cure, ensuring proper airflow while avoiding rain and excessive sunlight.

• The speaker notes their challenges with curing tobacco in non-controlled environments, as mold often develops due to difficulty maintaining the right conditions.

Towel Method for Small Batches 09:27

"The towel method works really effectively for small batches."

• As an alternative to traditional curing, the speaker uses a towel method for small batches of tobacco.

• The method involves wrapping leaves in a clean towel and turning them daily to prevent moisture buildup, which can cause mold.

• This method allows for gradual moisture extraction while maintaining a suitable environment for the curing process.

Fermentation and Aging Tobacco 10:39

"Most professional cigar-making operations ferment the leaves, heating them to temperatures around 100 to 130°F."

• For flavor enhancement, professional cigar operations ferment cured leaves under controlled temperature and humidity, allowing chemical reactions that enhance the tobacco's characteristics.

• The speaker plans to set up a fermentation system next year, but acknowledges that aging the leaves alone can still produce an excellent final product.

• Aging can be done in a humidor with the desired duration being according to personal preference, with three months being the chosen period for the current batch.

Rolling Cigars 11:43

"The first thing to understand with cigar rolling is that there are three main layers to a cigar."

• When rolling a cigar, there are three essential components: the filler, which forms the majority of the cigar; the binder, which keeps the filler together; and the wrapper, which encases it all.

• The speaker highlights the challenge of growing suitable wrapper leaves, as these require ideal growing conditions, and currently purchases them online for presentation purposes.

Preparing the Tobacco for Rolling 14:05

"Sort through the leaves to make sure there's no mold growing."

• Before rolling, it's important to check the leaves for any mold and hydrate them slightly to make them easier to manipulate.

• The rolling process begins with preparing the filler by shaping it to ensure proper airflow for smoking quality and form, which improves with practice.

The Cigar Rolling Process 16:07

"You pop that rough-shape cigar in the mold which helps press everything into that classic cigar shape."

• The speaker outlines the procedure for rolling the cigar, detailing how to stack and pack the filler leaves into a mold for shaping.

• A binder leaf is wrapped around the filler to ensure everything stays together, with the addition of natural adhesive to reinforce the structure.

• Once shaped, the cigars are left to sit in the molds for a few hours or ideally overnight before finishing with the outer wrapper.

Cigar Rolling Techniques 16:15

"There's a whole technique to forming that perfectly rounded cap at the end of every single cigar."

• The process of rolling cigars begins with preparing the wrapper leaf, which involves unraveling the edges and cutting out the center stem.

• Next, the cigar is rolled tightly from one end to the other inside the wrapper, ensuring everything remains compact.

• A small amount of glue is then added to seal the end of the cigar, and while there is a specific technique for finishing the cigar cap, the narrator admits to a simpler method of just wrapping the end closed.

• This approach may not result in the perfect end cap, but it is practical for personal use since the end is typically cut off before smoking.

Tasting the Homemade Cigars 17:08

"I thought it'd be really interesting to try them both to see if I could tell the difference."

• In this segment, the narrator samples two different cigars: one aged over a year and another aged for about five months.

• The tasting serves as a research opportunity, but the narrator clarifies they are not promoting smoking and acknowledges the viewer's familiarity with their cooking-related content.

• Prior to this, the creator shared a viral video on cigar-making, sparking significant viewer interest and engagement.

Personal Relationship with Tobacco 17:55

"Human beings have been using plant compounds to alter their state for pretty much forever."

• The narrator expresses a personal philosophy regarding the use of substances derived from plants for enjoyment and relaxation, reflecting on the historical context of such practices.

• They emphasize the importance of their personal relationship with the process of creating cigars, focusing on self-processing and cultivation.

• The narrator has not recently smoked cigars, using them sparingly for special occasions, but highlights their enjoyment in the craftsmanship of cigar making.

Flavor Experience and Comparison 19:03

"I was shocked with just how smooth and fresh tasting it was, different than other cigars that I had smoked in the past."

• The tasting experience reveals that the narrator finds the homemade cigar to be smooth and pleasant to smoke, with a flavor profile that is mild and clean compared to commercial cigars.

• They note that their first attempt at rolling a cigar was too tight, making it difficult to smoke, but their skills have improved with practice.

• The aged cigar showcases a slightly more robust flavor, attributed not only to the aging process but also the choice of wrapper tobaccos.

• They conclude that both cigars offer unique experiences, reinforcing the value of the time and effort invested in the cultivation and rolling process.

Long-Term Commitment to Cigar Making 20:30

"My personal favorite hobbies are long-term projects, and that's why I love this process so much."

• The narrator regards cigar making as a fulfilling long-term hobby, emphasizing the connection to natural processes like fermentation that is also involved in the creation of cigars.

• They reflect on the learning curve associated with this craft, emphasizing that significant skill development takes time and patience.

• Overall, the narrator affirms their commitment to continue this craft, expressing satisfaction with the journey of improvement and mastery in cigar making.