One of the most diverse types of tobacco is Virginia tobacco, a staple of various forms of smoking, and found in an ever-growing list of sought-after tobacco blends. Virginia tobacco is a “safe-choice” variety thanks to its crowd-pleasing qualities that include a rich flavor and highly versatile leaves. In fact, Virginia tobacco is the most commonly smoked tobacco around the world, found in pipe tobacco, loose tobacco, and cigarette tobacco.
Now, if you’re new to the world of tobacco, you may not have a good grasp on what makes Virginia tobacco so ubiquitous, and what qualities it offers that make it distinctive from other varieties. Let’s get into a comprehensive profile of this type of tobacco for anyone looking to learn more.
Where Does Virginia Tobacco Come from?
Sounds pretty self-explanatory, right? Well, the actual history behind Virginia tobacco is more colorful than you may think. Virginia tobacco is actually derived from South American tobacco, which was brought to the United States colony of Virginia 400 years ago by Spanish settlers. It was the distinctive Virginia soil that changed the way in which the leaves developed, which made the earliest harvests of Virginia tobacco instant hits thanks to a uniquely smooth taste. The thinner leaves and lighter flavor were quite a departure from other tobacco varieties around at the time, mainly from the Caribbean islands and South America. Virginia remains one of the largest exporters of tobacco worldwide.
At the same time, nowadays, “Virginia” tobacco – referring to bright tobacco, which is flue-cured – is grown from Florida to Maryland.
It's important to note that Virginian tobacco encompasses a number of specific varieties these days. The majority of them are flue-cured and yield a high sugar content, and examples include:
- Bright tobacco “Virginia” tobacco (also referred to as “yellow tobacco”)
- Orange tobacco
- Red tobacco
- Technically, Burley tobacco is classified as a type of Virginia tobacco
We’re focusing primarily on bright tobacco, as that is the one most commonly associated with Virginia tobacco.
What is the Leaf Like?
Virginia tobacco is known for its bright yellow color, which comes mainly from the flue-curing method that was employed during the mid-19th century. Before then, tobacco leaves were “air-cured,” by being hung in a dark and dry room. Flue-curing involves control over heat and humidity following harvest, and has become the standard method for curing Virginia tobacco. This also greatly enhances its sugar content, as air-curing does not produce sugars.
It's worth pointing out that harvesting the leaf is also unique. Virginia tobacco leaves mature at different rates while on the stalk, so harvesting requires picking the bottom leaves first, followed by the middle ones, and then the top ones. This makes the entire process more laborious and time-consuming – but clearly, the results are well worth it.
Nicotine and Sugar Content
As far as nicotine percentage, Virginia tobaccos can generally range from 1.8% (bright Virginia) to above 4% (red Virginia), which is quite a range. The same, of course, goes for the amount of sugar, which will also range in proportion to the nicotine content.
Flavor and Aroma Profiles
Virginia tobacco is highly regarded for its mild and sweet flavor, as the flue-curing process allows the tobacco to take on a notably sweet taste. Overall, its aroma and flavor are very light, making Virginia tobacco one of the most versatile tobaccos in the world, enjoyed both on its own and in a staggering number of popular tobacco blends.
Now, here’s where things get complicated. Again, “Virginia tobacco” is usually a commercial term referring to bright tobacco – but that mostly applies to the smoking/rolling tobacco world. In the pipe-smoking world, the term isn’t as generalized. That’s because red tobacco, with its darker, richer flavor, is extremely popular for pipe tobaccos, and to make things even more complex, a lot of “Virginia” pipe tobacco is a blend of red and bright.
Red tobacco has a deeper flavor that is also sweet, and has notes of dried fruits, with woody notes and earthiness as well as a distinctively fermented top note. The aroma is equally deep and dark, with the sweetness level being its main characteristic.
Smoke Quality
Smoking Virginia tobacco is always satisfactory, whether you’re going with pipe tobacco or rolling tobacco/cigarette tobacco, and regardless of the variety you choose. Naturally, bright tobacco offers a smoother and milder smoke, but in general, Virginia tobacco is known for its velvety draw.