Flue-cured tobacco, referred to as flue-cured tobacco, is baked in a curing barn by using artificially controlled heat energy during the curing process. Flue-cured tobacco is the largest planting area and the highest yield tobacco raw material in China and the world.

Sun-dried tobacco leaves are made in the open air, which is called sun-cured tobacco. According to the different sun-curing methods and the different colors after sun-curing, sun-cured green tobacco can be divided into sun-cured yellow tobacco, sun-cured red tobacco, oriental tobacco and yellow-flowered tobacco.

In the process of tobacco curing, tobacco leaves that are naturally dried in the curing barn are called flue-cured tobacco. Air-cured tobacco can be divided into burley, Maryland and cigar.

Types of cigarette products

Cigarettes, that is, cigarettes, have many flavor characteristics in smoking effect because of the differences in raw material formula, flavoring and feeding, technological treatment and so on. There are four types of cigarettes: curing type, mixed type, cigar type, sun-cured type and spice type, among which there are mainly the following four types:

Flue-cured tobacco is a cigarette made of single flue-cured tobacco as the main raw material. Generally, middle and superior tobacco leaves are used as raw materials, and the materials are exquisite. Highlight the aroma of tobacco leaves, reflect the natural beauty of tobacco, with rich or elegant aroma, mellow taste, moderate intensity, golden color or lemon yellow. Flue-cured tobacco has a history of more than 100 years, and it was first produced in Britain. At present, they are the mainstream products in China market, accounting for about 85% of the market share.

Mixed cigarette is made of flue-cured tobacco, burley tobacco, oriental tobacco and other air-dried tobacco leaves as raw materials. Originated in America. It has the mixed fragrance of flue-cured tobacco and sun-cured tobacco, rich and harmonious smoke, mellow taste, full of vitality and low tar content. At present, blended cigarettes occupy the main market of cigarettes in the world and are the leading products in the international cigarette market.

The new mixed cigarette is a kind of mixed cigarette with soft aroma and light cigarette aroma, which is produced by using modern cigarette flavoring and formula technology. This kind of cigarettes is represented by Japan's "Gentle Seven".

Cigar type is made of completely dried tobacco leaves or a small amount of upper flue-cured tobacco. Smoking produces a beautiful fragrance similar to sandalwood, thick, elegant and strong. Handmade cigars are beautiful in appearance and expensive.

The external fragrance type adopts flue-cured tobacco type or mixed formula structure, and the external fragrance is strongly added. Aromas that highlight extra fragrance, such as cream, cocoa, rose, mint and so on.

Main technological process of cigarette production

The manufacturing process of modern cigarette products has to go through seven major production processes: tobacco primary baking, threshing and redrying, tobacco fermentation, cigarette formula, cigarette shredding, cigarette rolling and cigarette packaging before it can be delivered to consumers as a commodity. Every cigarette with strong aroma embodies the painstaking efforts and sweat of Qian Qian tobacco people, and permeates the connotation of constantly developing new technologies and corporate culture.

Tobacco primary curing

This is the first step to turn the planted tobacco leaves into cigarette raw materials. It is a process that tobacco farmers put fresh tobacco leaves collected from the field into a curing barn to make "raw tobacco" as cigarette raw materials.

Tobacco farmers often say: "Growing tobacco is the foundation and baking is the key". Tobacco curing is a process of dehydrating and drying tobacco leaves by controlling the temperature, humidity and ventilation conditions in the curing barn, and becoming a tobacco commodity with certain quality, style and grade standards. The curing process is the physiological and biochemical transformation process of the inherent quality of tobacco leaves. Fresh tobacco has only potential quality before drying, and baking can show its potential quality characteristics and fix it. Only by baking can the harvest of fresh tobacco be converted into the actual output of original tobacco.

After curing, the content, appearance and microstructure of tobacco leaves have changed significantly. From the appearance, the color of tobacco leaves changed from yellow-green to yellow; The moisture content of tobacco leaves is from 80 ~ 90% swelling state to withering and drying until it is dry. These two changes reflect the biochemical changes of organic matter transformation, decomposition and partial condensation in tobacco leaves, which are chemical enzymatic reaction processes and physical processes of water loss. These changes are the only way to transform fresh tobacco into original tobacco and show its unique flavor and ideal color.

Threshing and redrying

At present, the flue-cured tobacco leaves produced in China, as the main raw materials, cannot be directly supplied to cigarette factories, and must be redried, that is, the moisture content of tobacco leaves is adjusted twice on the basis of primary flue-cured tobacco, so as to make it a real raw material for cigarette production.

The moisture content of flue-cured tobacco leaves is very inconsistent because of the uneven moisture regain of grading and bundling, and the different climates and storage conditions in different places, so it needs to be re-baked to become the raw material for cigarette industrial production. Those with high water content are prone to mildew and deterioration. The functions of tobacco redrying are as follows: first, adjust moisture to prevent mildew; The second is to eliminate miscellaneous gases and purify the aroma; Third, killing insects and sterilizing, which is beneficial to storage; Fourth, color retention is beneficial to production. After redrying, the physical and chemical properties of tobacco leaves were further optimized, the quality of tobacco leaves was improved, and the hygroscopicity was weakened, which was beneficial to the natural aging of tobacco leaves during storage.

Threshing and redrying is a tobacco redrying technology that has been continuously popularized and applied since 1950s and 1960s. As the name implies, the original tobacco is separated from the tobacco stem by threshing equipment before redrying. Tobacco leaves and stems are redried separately, and then packaged and stored separately. Compared with the traditional hanging stem redrying (the whole cigarette is redried and the stems are separated in the process of cigarette production), this threshing and redrying process with separate treatment of tobacco stems has many advantages: it reduces the breakage of tobacco leaves; Facilitate tobacco transportation; It can provide high-quality and standardized raw materials for cigarette factories; But also beneficial to the long-term storage and alcoholization of raw materials.

Tobacco fermentation

Tobacco leaves that have not been stored and alcoholized for more than one year after redrying are collectively called new cigarettes. There are some defects in the quality of new cigarettes, such as heavy green impurities, strong irritation, impure smoke, rough and uncomfortable, and the fragrance is not revealed. Especially low-grade new tobacco leaves, there are also some shortcomings such as bitter, spicy and astringent. Therefore, new cigarettes should not be directly used to make cigarettes, but must be rolled after natural alcoholization or artificial fermentation, so that the color of tobacco leaves becomes darker, the cyan color decreases, the odor is eliminated, the fragrance appears, the stimulation is weakened, and the aftertaste is reflected. This is the function of tobacco fermentation.

Tobacco leaf fermentation can be divided into natural fermentation and artificial fermentation:

Natural fermentation method is to store redried tobacco leaves in warehouse. With the change of natural climate conditions, the inherent quality of tobacco leaves will change. This natural fermentation method is also called natural alcoholization, or alcoholization or aging, and it is the mildest fermentation method. The raw materials used by many domestic manufacturers are generally tobacco leaves that have been naturally fermented for 2-3 years.

Artificial fermentation method is to put new tobacco leaves into a fermentation chamber with temperature and humidity control to accelerate the aging process of tobacco leaves, thus improving the quality of raw materials in a short time. Although the tobacco leaves after artificial fermentation are not as good as natural fermentation in color, aroma and irritation, the quality of new tobacco leaves is still obviously improved. This fermentation method is widely used by cigarette manufacturers because of its short fermentation cycle, less inventory occupation and fast capital turnover.

Cigarette formula

Just as a chef should prepare delicious main ingredients and auxiliary materials before cooking, the production of cigarette products also needs to pursue the harmony and unity of color, fragrance, taste and safety. The cigarette formula is to reasonably match various types, grades and styles of tobacco raw materials with auxiliary materials such as flavors and fragrances to produce the best quality effect.

The formula of leaf group is the premise of forming the style characteristics of cigarette products. As an agricultural product, tobacco is influenced by its own genetic genes, cultivation techniques, soil conditions and climate factors, which makes the quality and style of tobacco leaves in different regions, varieties and even different parts of the same plant vary greatly. For example, some tobacco leaves are full of smoke, but they are heavy and irritating; Some tobacco leaves have moderate intensity, but the aroma is not enough. Through the formula of leaf group, using the different characteristics of various tobacco leaves, and striving for the best combination, all kinds of tobacco leaves participating in the formula can make full use of their strengths and avoid their weaknesses, learn from each other's strengths and make up for each other's shortcomings, and play their respective roles harmoniously.

Flavoring and feeding is a "seasoning" technology in cigarette formula. Through the formula of leaf group, the grade and quality of cigarettes are basically guaranteed, but there are still some peculiar smells, which need to be improved by flavoring and feeding. Tobacco essence is harmless to human body. The formula is complex, and the solution is designed and prepared by professionals and sprayed into tobacco.

Once the cigarette formula is determined, its quality style is finalized, and the quality remains relatively stable in long-term production. Cigarette consumers who smoke a certain brand of cigarettes for a long time will have a soft spot for them. Therefore, cigarette manufacturers are doing everything possible to strengthen the quality assurance, and constantly improve the cigarette formula according to the changes in the market and the conditions of raw materials, so as to better meet the needs of consumers.

Cigarette shredding

To make a full, beautiful and delicious modern cigarette, we must first make tobacco leaves into cut tobacco. Cigarette shredding technology is the main processing technology in cigarette production. According to the physical and chemical characteristics of tobacco raw materials, it is a process of making tobacco leaves into qualified cut tobacco through various processing procedures according to certain procedures. In the process of cigarette production, the silk-making process is the longest, the working procedure is the most complicated and the types of equipment are the most.

The main technological purposes of cigarette shredding technology are as follows: First, the quality of shredded tobacco used for rolling is stable and consistent, so as to ensure the uniform proportion of raw materials, the uniform application of spices, the appropriate width of shredded tobacco and the uniform moisture. Secondly, the prepared cut tobacco has high filling value, increased toughness and saved raw materials. The third is to minimize breakage and loss.

The technological process of silk making is divided into three relatively independent technological processes and combinations: leaf making, stem making and leaf making. Comprises the steps of tobacco leaf moisture regain, batching, leaf moistening, leaf storage, shredding and drying; Moistening stem, pressing stem, expanding stem, cutting stem and drying stem; Wet and shred tobacco flakes. Then, the shredded leaves, cut stems and thin slices are mixed and stirred evenly, cooled and sprayed with flavors and fragrances.

The function of tobacco flavoring and feeding: adjusting the pH value of flue gas produced by tobacco combustion, thus reducing the irritation of tobacco fragrance and making the aftertaste clean and mellow and pure; Make the aroma of cigarettes more exposed and increased; Adjusting the combustion performance of cut tobacco and tobacco stems; Inhibit mold and prevent mildew. After feeding, the cut tobacco is stored for a certain period of time, so that the flavors and fragrances can be fully absorbed before entering the cigarette rolling process.

Cigarette rolling

Cigarette rolling refers to the process of using special cigarette rolling equipment to make cigarette raw and auxiliary materials into filter cigarettes or non-filter cigarettes.

The whole process of cigarette rolling is divided into two parts: rolling and tipping. The winding part consists of four systems: tobacco shred conveying, stencil paper conveying, winding forming and tobacco cutting. The tipping part consists of three systems: cigarette supply, filter supply and tipping paper supply.

There are many cigarette rolling units in the cigarette rolling workshop, which can complete the cigarette rolling production tasks of the same or different brands and specifications at the same time.

Since the world's first cigarette maker came out, after more than a century of continuous improvement, the production efficiency and production capacity of cigarette makers have been gradually improved. At present, China's cigarette manufacturers generally adopt internationally advanced cigarette machines, and the production capacity reaches 8000 ~ 16000 cigarettes/minute.

Modern high-tech cigarette equipment not only improves the labor productivity at ultra-high speed, but also effectively reduces the cost of raw materials with high technology and ensures the quality of cigarette products. The microcomputer monitoring operating system is widely used in the new generation cigarette machine, which can conveniently carry out machine operation and man-machine dialogue, and has the functions of fault display, instantaneous cumulative production data, recording operation information and so on. Equipped with cigarette weight detection system, it can automatically eliminate missing cigarettes, empty cigarettes, lampblack, dirty cigarettes and damaged cigarettes. Among many electromechanical equipment, cigarette equipment is a typical complex electromechanical integration product.

The specifications of cigarettes are usually expressed by "length × circumference". Various cigarette specifications:

Cigarette packaging

Only by packaging the rolled cigarette can it become a listed cigarette commodity. The function of cigarette packaging: First, it is convenient for consumers to identify and appreciate. Cigarettes with good internal quality can only be recognized and liked by consumers through beautiful and generous packaging, and then establish a brand image. Cigarettes become a social means, but also depends on its beauty; The outer packaging of cigarettes is also a symbol of the grade and specification of their products. The second is to ensure product quality. The packaging of cigarettes can preserve the moisture of cigarettes for a certain period of time, prevent mildew in wet season and prevent looseness in dry season; It can also prevent the essence from turning gray and maintain the aroma value. Third, it is convenient for commercial departments to transport, store and sell.

Cigarette packaging technology includes: small box packaging → cigarette packaging → box packaging.

Small box packaging is divided into soft packaging and hard box packaging. The outer layer is wrapped in soft paper, which is called soft bag; Things wrapped in white cardboard are called hard box packaging. Whether it is soft box packaging or hard box packaging, it includes lining paper packaging, trademark paper packaging, transparent paper packaging and other technological links.

Cigarette packaging is divided into soft packaging and hard packaging. Usually, the soft strip packaging is called "strip package" and the hard strip packaging is called "strip box". Both ends of the "strip package" need to be affixed with horizontal trademark paper. The "long box" is covered with a layer of transparent paper.

Cartons are usually packed in corrugated boxes. Tinned canned cigarettes are usually packed in wooden cases.

The cigarette packaging equipment in China continues to develop along the direction of mechanization, automation and continuity. The production capacity has increased from 100 packs/minute in 1950s to 500-700 packs/minute at present. The output has been greatly increased and the quality has been significantly improved, which has met the increasingly colorful market demand.

Forms and specifications of cigarette packaging:

Simple process flow of cigarette factory

Evaluation index of cigarette quality

The purity and brightness of glossy tobacco color is glossy. Its grades can be divided into three categories: A, B and C. Grade A cut tobacco: shiny, shiny and shiny; B-grade cut tobacco: glossy oil, refined oil and slight oil; C cut tobacco: dull, dull and very dull.

The aroma of cigarettes refers to the pleasant smell felt by the nasal cavity when smoking. The aroma in cigarettes is the aroma of tobacco leaves, such as flue-cured tobacco aroma, oriental tobacco aroma, cigar aroma, burley tobacco aroma and so on. The aroma of flue-cured tobacco can be divided into fragrant aroma, strong aroma and intermediate aroma. The other part is the added aroma, which plays a role in setting off and subsidizing the aroma in cigarettes. It must be coordinated with the aroma of smoke and cannot usurp the role of the owner.

Harmony means that the smell of cigarettes should be harmonious and consistent, and you can't feel the characteristics of the monomer. It is a comprehensive effect of symmetry of smoke, fragrance and taste. Smoking can give the senses a sense of comfort, which is called smoke harmony; If you think the smell and smoke are not harmonious, it is called smoke disharmony.

Miscellaneous gas When smoking, the disgusting and unpleasant smell felt in the nasal cavity is called miscellaneous gas. Such as grass gas, burnt gas, soil fishy gas, turpentine gas, pollen gas, etc. The miscellaneous gas in the flue gas is partly carried by the tobacco leaves themselves and partly caused by impurities mixed in the manufacturing process. It should be solved by improving the purity of cut tobacco and flavoring and feeding technology.

Stimulus stimulation is a sign that cigarettes are not mellow. Such as nasal sprint, oral impact, sore throat and so on. One way to reduce irritation is to adjust the formula structure of tobacco leaves and reduce the ratio of upper tobacco leaves to air-cured tobacco leaves; The second is to adjust by adding spices and materials.

Aftertaste refers to the taste feeling left in the mouth after the smoke is exhaled from the mouth and nasal cavity. Such as purity, comfort or bitterness, tongue stagnation, etc.

Shelf life of cigarette products

At present, cigarette products on the market are not marked with shelf life, because there are no relevant laws and regulations requiring cigarette products to be marked with shelf life. Not only at home, but also abroad, the production date and shelf life are not marked.

However, cigarette products have a shelf life. In addition to the packaging materials of products affecting the shelf life of cigarette products, the environmental conditions of cigarette commodity storage are the decisive factors affecting the shelf life.

Cigarettes are a kind of consumer goods that are quite sensitive to external temperature and humidity. The storage temperature and humidity are different, which leads to a great difference in the shelf life of cigarettes. If the temperature and humidity are suitable, cigarettes can be stored for two or three years without deterioration. However, if the temperature and humidity are too high or too low, the original quality of cigarette products can't be maintained even for a year, either drying or moldy. Cigarettes stored in cold areas or in refrigerators can extend the shelf life. Because the environmental conditions of cigarette storage determine the length of shelf life, there is no need to mark the shelf life uniformly.

After the cigarette leaves the factory, the chemical composition of the product itself is still changing. Under suitable temperature and humidity conditions, the product will be naturally alcoholized during storage, so that the internal quality will rise to the best point. After long-term observation, the best rising period of high-grade cigarettes is 4 ~ 6 months, and that of low-grade cigarettes is 2 ~ 4 months. After the peak rising period, the intrinsic quality of cigarettes will gradually decline, leading to the decline of aroma, dark color and insufficient smoking.

In order to ensure that consumers can buy high-quality cigarette products anytime and anywhere without marking the shelf life of cigarette products, cigarette manufacturers are striving to produce marketable products according to market demand and reduce the inventory backlog. Cigarette commercial enterprises are also paying attention to optimizing the storage conditions of commodities, so that cigarettes can meet the suitable storage requirements under different regional climatic conditions, prevent mildew, insects and odors, and speed up commodity turnover.

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