After harvesting the tobacco, the Indonesian farmers and tobacco experts work together to begin the air curing process.
Under strict supervision we can control the temperature and humidity precisely. This air curing is different from the flue curing process used for cigarette tobaccos. The air curing is accomplished in large open barns which are built with bamboo frames and dried palm leaves that form the roof and walls. These natural construction materials offer excellent air circulation and protection from rain for ideal air curing conditions.
In addition, these barns always have a north or south side entry door in order to avoid sunlight from directly coming in, ensuring that this curing is purely accomplished by air and without direct sunlight that can damage the leaves.
The air curing takes around 21 days. First the leaves turn yellow, then, through the process of oxidization, they assume the golden brown which indicates that they are ready for their first phase of fermentation.
