After stoving I rubbed out the shred and made a total of 4 oz of Smyrna Bright. This blend was used for all 9 parts of Virginias. One 2oz batch got the vacuum treatment and I'll try to forget about it until my current jar is empty. The second 2oz went back into the press.The latest project is a triple Virgina blend using equal parts Bright, Red, Ripe. It is in the oven right now. The plan is to use the pressed and stoved Virginia's in a Smyrna Bright variant.
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I thought pressing was the second stage? Heat, then pressure?I got bit by this bug as well, actually purchased a second one this week because I'm an impatient bastard. I have little time to blend/shred late nights on the weekends so I'm trying to make the most of it. Especially when plug is just first stage of process like Cavendish.
ProZach had it right, the old crockpot cavendish. Read on..I thought pressing was the second stage? Heat, then pressure?
You are correct sir! @Juxtaposer- crockpot cavendish. I actually learned a cool tip by accident today steaming 2 plugs (pictured).I suspect @WillQuantrill may be planning to try the method shared by @Juxtaposer- for turning a noodle pressed plug into Cavendish
How I process my whole leaf
How I process my whole leaf tobacco purchases. Step 1 Storing Things you will need; 1# tobacco bag scissors two 16oz wide mouth jars Cut the bag across to open on the stem side take out one leaf keeping the rest in the bag as to not loose case (moisture) fold the leaf along the stem with the...fairtradetobacco.com
My prediction: A very dark, very solid plug. Mine came out so easy to slice that it's half the fun.Let's see what it looks like in a few days...
I don't know what the actual process was, but what i put into the press was a light tan mix with some near black (Pq) mixed in. What I took out a few hours later was almost black with little flecks of tan. I'm guessing (and I do mean guessing) that the pressure was enough to rupture some of the leaf cells and mingle the oils or whatever. OK scratch that. I know it was the pressure that did it, but I'm not sure what the exact mechanism was. All I know is - and this will probably surprise no one - pressure is transformative, and so far the result has never been negative. It seems to always be an improvement.I have noticed that when I press any of the blends that contain perique it seems to kickoff additional fermentation in the other leaf. I'm wondering if the alcohol will suppress that process.
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