Steps of Curing

The steps of flue curing are:

I. Firing Up

The goal of this step is to bring the plant to a brilliant lemon-orange color. This is done by slowly raising the temperature.

II. Yellowing

In this step any moisture is removed. This creates the "yellowing" of the tobacco. It also prepares the tobacco for drying in the next step.

III. Leaf Drying

Leaf drying is the most important step in the curing process. Much time is needed for the tobacco to dry. Air flow is increased in this step to help the drying.

IV. Stem Drying

The drying process continues.