Cigar tobacco is cured & fermented (and sometimes aged) after harvesting.
The objectives of fermentation are:
- To transform the majority of proteins into amino acids.
- To reduce the contents of nitrogenous substances.
- To eliminate starches and sugars totally.
- To diminish the contents of nicotine.
- To transform the chemical composition of the leaves.
- To oxidize some pigments.
- To cause the presence of dark colors in the leaf.
- To diminish the thickness of the leaf.
- To stimulate the reactions of oxidation.
- To contribute to the ulterior development of the aroma of the leaf.
This is done typically two times for most cigars. Cohiba is know of it's triple fermentation as well as others.
Your cigar label indicates that it went through 3 fermentations (no kidding, right
).
Additionally, the "ammonia" or "sick period" that you sometimes get with cigars in the box is actually an additional 'mini' fermentation that they may go through.
I hope this helps
~Mark
.