An old heirloom from Virginian that has gained in popularity over the years. It grows to over 6' tall and is a high yielder of leaves averaging 20" inches long by 12" wide. Used mainly as a cigarette tobacco for its mild flavor, or as a pipe blend.
Samsun tobaccos originated in the Samsun region of Turkey near the Black Sea. Samsun Maden is a sub strain of the original Samsun with a lighter colored leaf and milder flavor. The plant has columnar shape with the characteristic heart-shaped leaf with a fringed petiole. It reaches an height of 6 feet with 22-28 leaves averaging 12 to 15 inches in width and 16 to 18 inches in length. It reaches maturity in 50-55 days, ripens early and is usually sun cured. It makes a good stand alone cigarette, and is very good for cigarette and pipe blends.
The Green Ruffles Basil produces large serrated, cut and ruffled dark green leaves that have a great tangy and rich flavor! This basil variety is popular for its culinary uses and is excellent for many tomato based dishes.
Yellow Orinoco is an heirloom bright leaf which originated from the Virginian Orinoco's. It grows to 5' producing an average of 16 leaves per plant below the crows foot. It matures early at 55 days. Suckering is low, and is less than with White Stemmed or Frog Eye Orinoco. Leaves are light to medium green and average 12" to 14" wide and 24" to 26" long, with yields of 3 oz of dried leaf per plant. Leaves air cure to a light brown.
Walkers Broad Leaf is an heirloom cigar variety dating back to the 1880's, said to have originally been developed from the Maryland Broad Leaf. It grows to 6' in height and matures in 55-60 days. The leaves are from 12" to 16" wide and 20" to 24" in length, turning a light green and mottled when ripe. It can be used as a wrapper, binder or filler.
Bucak was developed in Turkey from a flu cured, bright leaf Virginian tobacco imported in the 1930's from the US. It grows to 5' in height with large heavy leaves densely spaced on the stalk, and matures in 50 days. Averages 20 leaves per plant, 12"-14" wide and 22"-26" long. It tolerates heavy rains and wind well and will withstand early fall frosts with little or no damage. It air cures easily to a light brown.
A bright leaf variety that was imported by the USDA from Columbia in 1967. A tall grower that reaches a height of 5-6'. Leaves grow close together with inverted cones. Produces a sweet mild flavor with a slightly nutty taste, and is an excellent cigarette or pipe tobacco. It can be used in a blend, or on its own. Costello has a nicotine content at 2.4%. The leaves air cure to a light brown to a dark reddish brown.
Bursa is one of the largest and heaviest producing varieties of Turkish tobacco, growing up to 8' with 30-34 harvestable leaves per plant. It's best to use staking for this giant tobacco. The unique flavor is spicy and sweet and the smoke is fragrant and highly aromatic. Bursa is an excellent tobacco for a pipe or blending in cigarettes.
Shargo originated in eastern Europe and is a hybrid cross between a white stemmed Burley and a Turkish strain. It has the vigorous growth and high production of a white stemmed Burley and yellows in the field as it reaches flowering and maturity at about 70 days. It has a spicy flavor more like many Turkish strains. It can be cut and hung whole or primed and strung to cure and dry. The plants grow to 7-8 feet in height to the bloom producing 16-20 leaves ranging from 13-17 inches in width and 24-28 inches in length. Shargo's unique flavor, heavy production, and early ripening and ease of curing, make it an excellent choice for new and experienced growers alike.
Tofta tobacco is a variety known for its rich flavor and versatility in tobacco products. While it may not be as widely recognized as some other tobacco types, Tofta tobacco typically boasts medium to dark brown leaves with a moderate texture. Its flavor profile tends to be robust and earthy, often accompanied by subtle sweet and spicy undertones. Tofta tobacco is frequently used as a blending component in various tobacco products, including cigarettes, pipe tobacco, and cigars, where it contributes to the overall depth and complexity of the blend. Its versatility makes it a valuable ingredient for tobacco manufacturers looking to create well-balanced and flavorful products. While Tofta tobacco may not have the same level of fame as some other varieties, its reliable quality and distinct flavor make it a popular choice among tobacco enthusiasts and manufacturers alike. Comes from Sweden.
The Hamburg Rooted Parsley is a unique looking, old heirloom variety that is used for both its delicious leaves and roots! This parsley is mostly grown for its large roots that make superb soups and stews, but its leaves are also tasty in sauces or as a garnish.
The Purple Ruffles Basil is a large, heavily ruffled and fringed dark purple leaf variety with beautiful pink-purple flowers. This All-American Selections winner basil is the perfect pop of color for herb gardens or a flower border. This basil produces a sweet fragrance and flavor that is wonderful as a garnish in salads, soups, pasta or drinks.
Gold Leaf Orinoco is a bright leaf tobacco that has been cultivated for generations in Peru. It has a pyramidal shape and grows up to 6' in height, with leaves averaging 22"-24" long and 12"-14" in width. It matures in approximately 60-65 days. Modern day varieties of Virginian tobacco were originally developed from Orinoco's. The flavor of Gold Leaf Orinoco is similar to the dark Virginian types of tobacco, with the upper leaves being the strongest. It is an excellent tobacco for a cigarette or pipe blend. With a nicotine content of 4%, Gold leaf Orinoco has a has a much higher nicotine content than most Virginians types or other bright leaf varieties.
Ainaro is a variety of Dark sun-cured leaf. It was collected from the tobacco garden of a simple home outside the town of Ainaro, by Anton Eise DeVries, during his exploration of Timor Leste in 2016. The most distinctive characteristic of its large leaves is their petiole (bare leaf stem), suggestive of some pre WW2, Japanese cigar varieties. It can be stalk-cut, and sun-cured on the stalk, or primed. The finished leaf has a spicy character. It also cooks into a tasty Cavendish. Suitable for pipe blending.
L'Assomption 201 is a cigar filler variety developed in Canada, at the L'Assomption Experimental Station during the 1930s. It is useful for as a cigar wrapper, binder and filler. The plant reaches a height of 4 1/2 to 5' at the crows foot and produces an average of 18 leaves. It reaches maturity in 50-55 days. It can be primed or stalk-cut or stalk-cured and air-cures easily to a deep, medium brown.
Sylvestris is native to Argentina and is often called Woodland Tobacco. A good producer of leaves, but today is best known for its large trumpet shaped white flowers. The leaves have a nicotine content averaging 3.9%. Flowers appear on top of a 3-4 foot high stalk in 45-50 days, rising above the leaves and often form a cascading white waterfall effect. Sylvestris is a striking addition to any flower garden.
An heirloom dark tobacco with a rich full flavor. It's often fire cured for use as a pipe or cigar tobacco. Its deep colored green leaves air cure to a dark brown. It grows 5 feet in height and matures early.
One Sucker is a dark air cured heirloom tobacco. It grows 4-5' in height with dark green leaves. Long leaves that can reach upwards of 3'. It produces 15-16 leaves on average, frost resistance and excellent wind resistance.
