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Caption: Estelí, Nicaragua CIGAR PROCESS
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Caption: In northwestern Nicaragua lies a city whose cigar reputation reaches every corner of the world. Fueled by rich volcanic soil, Estelí continuously produces some of the top cigars in the world. Recently on a trip with @austinadventures, I was given the opportunity to see the process for myself as I visited both the plantation and factory for Placencia Cigars.
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Caption: Humble beginnings as the tobacco plants start growing for 45 days in a greenhouse. After this they are replanted in the fields until they reach around a meter in height
(50 more days).
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Caption: During the peak of cutting process, 500 workers work carefully to make seven precise cuts to the tobacco plant. The final step at the plantation is to dry the tobacco for around 35 days before its trucked to the factory to be turned into cigars. DRYING PROCESS
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Caption: The tobacco then goes through a natural fermentation process for four months. A thermometer is inserted into the tobacco and is monitored. Every time the tobacco reaches 120 °F the pile is moved and aired out.
After fermentation the leaves go to a sorting room to sort by type of leaves.
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Caption: After sorting, the tobacco is packaged and aged for 6-10 years (or sometimes more)
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Caption: Once the tobacco has been aged it heads to another room to sort the wrappers. Then the tobacco is moved to the rolling room, where 30,000 cigars are rolled per day.
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Caption: The 30,000 cigars produced per day go through the hands of this man. He checks every cigar for quality before they’re ready to be labeled, wrapped, and packaged for consumption.
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Caption: Nearly 6 years separates this photo, but my love for Nicaragua and cigars hasn’t changed.
If you’re interested in seeing Nicaragua with @austinadventures, check out this link. 2019 vs 2014