How do real Cuban cigars

• How to make a real Cuban cigar

In 2015, the embargo between the United States and Cuba have been lifted - the first time in sixty years, Cuban cigars have become officially available for export. It has stepped up local tobacco farmers and cigar production was hope for the entire Cuban economy. Tobacco cultivation in Cuba can be compared to wine culture in Europe - eco-tourism is also an important source of income and it is remembered in the family Montesinos, who is the producer of some of the best cigars in Cuba.

Tobacco, as a rule, are planted at the end of the year and grown for three months before harvest in the form of green leaves.

Tobacco seeds are very small, and one plant can harvest no more than 30 sheets.

The tobacco farmer Raul Valdes shows his hands callused from years of working on the plantation.

plantation workers come from neighboring villages - tobacco production is the main agricultural production in the province of Pinar del Rio.

Many tobacco farms are part of the cooperative and partly state-owned.

The fresh leaves are sent to the drying chamber.

The leaves are hung out to dry - a process often referred to as "curing". This step may take up to three months.

On organic farms, such as Montesinos, pesticides and artificial fertilizers are not used, and the insects are removed manually.

Montesinos Family owned plantation for three generations.

After the leaves have dried, can be rolled cigar.

folding technique cigars can affect the final taste of the cigar. Good cigar has a smooth and glossy wrapper leaves with gently twisted in one direction.

Some tobacco farms are preparing food for tourists and provide accommodation for the night.

Farmers are extremely encouraged by the lifting of the embargo on the export of cigars and hope that soon they will have a better life and are preparing for an influx of tourists.