A long process of selection and natural crossing has prompted the emergence of new commercial varieties of Cuban black tobacco, yet without letting go of the one-and-only features that make it the world’s finest.

Thanks to Cuba’s scientific breakthroughs, Habanos aren’t now born in the fields of Vuelta Abajo, but in the aseptic labs of the Tobacco Research Institute, in an environment where seeds for new varieties of Cuban black tobacco are obtained.

Relying on a mesh of experimental stations –including one in Pinar del Rio’s San Juan y Martinez, and another one in Cabaiguan, in the central province of Sancti Spiritus- the Tobacco Research Institute is headquartered in the rural Havana municipality of San Antonio de los Baños, a basic area for the production of binder leaves.

A payroll of over 400 workers, including 45 researchers, 4 Doctors of Science and 29 holders of Master Degrees, plus 96 technicians related to that particular field, has achieved the miraculous deed of coming up with a dozen new varieties of black tobacco currently being grown across Cuba, yet preserving the top quality that makes this product the number-one Premium cigar under the sun.

In addition to this, the intercrossing of species in a conventional fashion without any genetic tampering has given way to new varieties, more resistant to such plagues as blue mildew, black mold or environmental necrosis, but once again, being faithful to the quality that makes smoking a Cuban cigar an act of supreme pleasure.

“The Tobacco Research Institute was founded in 1985 by a resolution enacted by the Ministry of Agriculture. Since then, the center has unified the efforts of experimental stations that formerly made up the National Network of Tobacco Research Studies,” says Vladimir Espino, the Institute’s director.

According to this scholar –he’s one of the inventors of the floating seedling technique or tray tobacco- the institution’s main goal, in coordination with the experimental stations, is the creation of original and basic seeds for commercial tobacco species.

However, scientists there also coordinate and develop the genetic improvement project of Cuban tobacco, as well as the comprehensive management of plagues through the use of more resistant varieties and a number of alternatives –like crop rotation, the application of chemicals and other techniques- to fight this battle.

The Institute is also in charge of coordinating all plant breeding efforts being implemented in the productive process, of providing advise to tobacco growers, of checking plantation density and fertilization levels, as well as of indicating the right moment for harvesting, removing of extra buds and flowers, and fermenting.

“In the same breath, we work for the industry by analyzing the selection and wick removal processes, and by doing research on fermenting, ideal temperatures and humidity levels, plus other settings linked to production. We even coordinate with Tabacuba and Habanos S.A. as far as new mixtures and blends are concerned, product assessment and follow-up strategies for the advance of the tobacco industry nationwide,” Mr. Espino points out.

“That is, we conduct research on the whole process, from the seedlings all the way to the Habano that ends up in the hands of each and every smoker.”

A UNIQUE PATTERN The creation of new tobacco varieties is an art that requires plentiful knowledge on crops, coupled with special God-sent gifts and endless patience and perseverance.

Eumelio Espino Marrero knows that too well. He holds a Master Degree in Science and is the Tobacco Research Institute’s deputy director for Technical Development. For over 20 years, Mr. Marrero served as chief of the Cuban tobacco genetic improvement plan.

“To come up with a new variety, is necessary, above all, to have accurate expertise on the cultivation of tobacco. In the case of Cuba, for example, quality is not a problem because it’s the best in the world. Output is not a drawback either because it shows acceptable levels, even though it could be better. The main issue with Cuban tobacco is the problem with plagues, like black mold, blue mildew and environmental necrosis.

“This means that those species that are not resistant to these three viruses cannot be grown in the country. In addition, if we come up with a variety immune to the mosaico del tabaco virus, that’s welcome news. The same policy applies even if that renders in the improvement of output or the development of leaf buds in species. Those are never invalidating elements.”

The long process of crossings and successive selection of different stumps could take years since it’s all done in a completely natural way. That’s why researchers there experiment with three or four different lines simultaneously that are later on put through their paces.

Out of that bunch, those that show better resistance to plagues, higher output levels, export quality and better organoleptic properties when being smoked make the grade for a farming extension test. If passed, then the Scientific Council of the Tobacco Research Institute and Tabacuba’s Technical Council okay its registration as a new commercial variety.

“We ought to be patient,” beams Eumelio, “because sometimes, seven or eight years later, and just when you think you’ve come up with the right variety, poor burning could render that new variety worthless. The point is that the whole process must be done under one inviolable principle: the preservation of Cuban black tobacco’s organoleptic properties, and those, my friend, are pretty strong words,” Eumelio avers.

“Cigar is a product designed to quench the whims of millionaires. So, we have to respect them, otherwise you can’t sell them. Each new variety must be relentless and that explains why they are put to the test by a commission of experts. If they can’t comply with Cuba’s quality patterns, if some shortcomings are found along the way, then they are simply discarded.”