American Balkan

[Dr. Van Loafer]

After a mostly successful traditional Balkan blend, I am trying my hand with an American Style Balkan.

Components include:

• White Burley (40%)
• Virginias (25%)
• Orientals (15%)
• Cavendish (15%)
• Latakia (5%)

After blending all the components, I made (what I am calling) a Paupers Press. This consists of a ziplock bag, and about 20 zip-ties.

Going to check it each day for about a week and tighten up the zip-ties.

We will see what happens!

 

[seanv]

This is science!! I haven't seen this method before. Be sure to post the results

 

[Chasing Embers]

a Paupers Press

A few members have employeed noodles presses.

 

[Dr. Van Loafer]

A few members have employeed noodles presses.

View attachment 275378

Yep, I had read that and am considering picking one up, but wanted to try this method to see!

 

[Indygrap]

Yep, I had read that and am considering picking one up, but wanted to try this method to see!

They actually work really well. I cut the lid of a mason jar to fit inside the noodle die & line the inside with parchment paper. Tighten it every day or so. I usually leave in the press for about a week & have a nice, firm puck when I push it out. It will expand some but stays fairly packed after removing it.

 

[yanoJL]

They actually work really well. I cut the lid of a mason jar to fit inside the noodle die & line the inside with parchment paper. Tighten it every day or so. I usually leave in the press for about a week & have a nice, firm puck when I push it out. It will expand some but stays fairly packed after removing it.

Agreed. I cut a disc from a Pringles lid (plastic).
I read an article written by ErnieQ from Watch City. He recommended warming the tobacco before pressing. I did, and tightened daily for a week. The result was a very firm puck.

 

[Dr. Van Loafer]

So after about a week I carefully cut the zipties to see what the results would be for this Paupers Press.

The results are that it was pretty much like a rope plug as it is dense and firm. Cut off a couple thick tokens with a knife, that I realized needed sharpening. I think with a sharper knife I might be able to slice thinner and it be a true coin.

I have not yet smoked it, that will happen later this week.

All in all a pretty fun experiment and it pressed the tobacco, which was the main objective!

 

[Searock Fan]

After a mostly successful traditional Balkan blend, I am trying my hand with an American Style Balkan.

Components include:

• White Burley (40%)
• Virginias (25%)
• Orientals (15%)
• Cavendish (15%)
• Latakia (5%)

After blending all the components, I made (what I am calling) a Paupers Press. This consists of a ziplock bag, and about 20 zip-ties.

Going to check it each day for about a week and tighten up the zip-ties.

We will see what happens! View attachment 275334

I don't know, but I wouldn't call a blend with only 5% Latakia a Balkan.

 

[Dr. Van Loafer]

I don't know, but I wouldn't call a blend with only 5% Latakia a Balkan.

Yeah probably more of a balk

 

[Tate]

Very cool man! Has me curious to start home blending!

 

[Dr. Van Loafer]

I decided to press another homemade blend I had previously blended. This one has way more latakia, alongside Virginia and Izmir. After pressing I am wondering could I just light this up like a cigar?

 

[Dr. Van Loafer]

Very cool man! Has me curious to start home blending!

Yeah one day I just went for it. Made an English blend with various Virginias, Latakia, and Izmir. I let it sit for 6 months in a jar. Tried it and was pleasantly surprised by it. Got tastes of latakia, and hints of citrus. Was not bad at all. It is no Plum Pudding but it is okay.

 

[Dr. Van Loafer]

To update on the American Balkan blend. I smoked a few bowls in a cob and it was rough, harsh, and lacked flavor, but I did not die from it. I sent most of it to a buddy who upon smoking a couple bowls also remarked it was harsh, but thinks that with some cellaring it might mellow out.

I was surprised on how harsh it was and how hot it smoked in the cob. However, I realized with the new cob I had put in an adapter to make it non-filtered. After smoking several other blends in that cob and each one was hot and harsh I realized that perhaps it needed a filter. So last week I put a filter in and smoked Newminster No. 400 and BOOM it was a much cooler smoke and very pleasant. (Note: I do not use filters on briars).

All that being said I think the blend might still be rough but not as harsh as I thought due to the cob not having a filter.

 

[Jahman7]

To update on the American Balkan blend. I smoked a few bowls in a cob and it was rough, harsh, and lacked flavor, but I did not die from it. I sent most of it to a buddy who upon smoking a couple bowls also remarked it was harsh, but thinks that with some cellaring it might mellow out.

I was surprised on how harsh it was and how hot it smoked in the cob. However, I realized with the new cob I had put in an adapter to make it non-filtered. After smoking several other blends in that cob and each one was hot and harsh I realized that perhaps it needed a filter. So last week I put a filter in and smoked Newminster No. 400 and BOOM it was a much cooler smoke and very pleasant. (Note: I do not use filters on briars).

All that being said I think the blend might still be rough but not as harsh as I thought due to the cob not having a filter.

Might need to just lower the rH and let the blend slowly dry over time. Or cut a few cubes, rub it out, and let it sit for a few hours in a dry environment.