Pipe Tobacco: Maryland
Maryland is a typically American pipe tobacco that is little known among slow-smoking enthusiasts. As the name suggests, it originates in the state of Maryland in the United States, but is also produced in Africa, China, Japan and Italy. Production and diffusion are quite limited, with the U.S. remaining the largest producer in the world.
Prized for its versatility and slow burn, this tobacco has a long history dating back to the 17th century, when English settlers began growing it in the American region of the same name to meet the growing demand for tobacco in Europe. Along with Virginia, it was the first tobacco to be imported to Europe for commercial purposes.
Thanks to Maryland's fertile soils and ideal climate, the eponymous tobacco soon became a major crop in the region.
Currently, Maryland's production is far less than in the past.
Continue reading the article to find out the characteristics of Maryland pipe tobacco.
The characteristics of Maryland pipe tobacco
Maryland is part of the air-cured light tobacco category. In terms of the type of curing and the characteristics of the plant, it is similar to Burley, but is lighter (due to the lower nicotine content) and more pronounced in taste.
The Maryland plant is tall and has a deep green color, while the leaf is broad and thin. The cured leaf is light yellow to reddish brown in color, being less spongy than Burley.
Maryland is a base tobacco that, unlike Burley, is never smoked alone as a base, but always in combination with Orientals and Virginias, sometimes with the addition of Kentucky.
Being a neutral tobacco, it goes well with "topping" tobaccos, namely Latakia, Cavendish and Perique.
This particular flavor profile has also resulted in Maryland being used for the outer wrapper of high-quality cigars, imparting an even burn.
How Maryland pipe tobaccos affect smoking
This tobacco is considered the ideal ingredient for both blends that burn too fast and those that burn too slow. It can be said that, in general, it "corrects" and improves the combustibility of a blend.
Thus, we are talking about a versatile tobacco, which can be combined with any other type and has a neutral and light taste. Precisely because of this characteristic taste, it can be used in any type of blend.
It is also excellent for lengthening and softening blends that are far too edgy or full-bodied.
