Fake Latakia???

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midcentry

Starting to Get Obsessed
Oct 10, 2022
117
477
Utah
Through mediums such as Social Media comments, and pipe community youtubers, I have been hearing/seeing rumors of "fake" Latakia being used in blends. I guess the thought is that cyprian latakia is becoming difficult to obtain and manufacturers are testing a sprayed on "liquid smoke" type flavoring to other types of leaf to mimic the taste of latakia. Can anyone tell me where this idea is coming from, and if it is legit?
 

rsshreck32

Lifer
Aug 1, 2023
1,576
26,687
Missouri Bootheel
Through mediums such as Social Media comments, and pipe community youtubers, I have been hearing/seeing rumors of "fake" Latakia being used in blends. I guess the thought is that cyprian latakia is becoming difficult to obtain and manufacturers are testing a sprayed on "liquid smoke" type flavoring to other types of leaf to mimic the taste of latakia. Can anyone tell me where this idea is coming from, and if it is legit?
I would hope there is a little more integrity in the industry than that... and I believe there is.
 

tfdickson

Lifer
May 15, 2014
2,422
49,357
East End of Long Island
Through mediums such as Social Media comments, and pipe community youtubers, I have been hearing/seeing rumors of "fake" Latakia being used in blends. I guess the thought is that cyprian latakia is becoming difficult to obtain and manufacturers are testing a sprayed on "liquid smoke" type flavoring to other types of leaf to mimic the taste of latakia. Can anyone tell me where this idea is coming from, and if it is legit?

It comes from people amusing themselves by starting baseless rumors, and no it’s not legit. Shoot, I should know- I put real capital to work trying to bring back Syrian Latakia and struck out.


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Mrs. Pickles

Starting to Get Obsessed
May 8, 2022
295
1,370
AZ, USA
This thread from a few months ago by @woodsroad might interest you: Tobacco Flavoring for Smoking Products: Leffingwell, 1972 :: Pipe Tobacco Discussion - https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/tobacco-flavoring-for-smoking-products-leffingwell-1972.99184/

According to list of products from 1972, Latakia flavoring (and perique flavoring!) have been around at least since then. We don't know how commonly they are actually used in tobacco, though.

On page 2 of that thread, a response to from Jeremy Reeves generously shared his perspective from inside the industry too.
 

anotherbob

Lifer
Mar 30, 2019
17,137
32,182
46
In the semi-rural NorthEastern USA
the original product isn't going to cost more than faking it would. It's tobacco and faking it would require tobacco. Basically it's people thinking someone is trying to screw them over no matter how little sense it makes. Also if you can't tell the difference not only is your palate garbage but who cares all that much? Plus if they could fake it that in it's self would be a brag. Some times the internet reminds me that somehow people who are too stupid to live some how do!
 

cosmicfolklore

Moderator
Staff member
Aug 9, 2013
35,727
84,001
Between the Heart of Alabama and Hot Springs NC
When I first started hanging out at the Briary over a decade ago, guys at the lounge would talk about this sprayed on latakia flavoring, but no one ever suggests a particular blend. And, even then, guys would say that it was discussed many years before that. It's probably just an old smoker's lounge discussion point. Some people get so bent out of shape on here, many tobacco topics discussed back in the old lounge wouldn't fly. Guys would be all "you're insulting me by talking about a beloved tobacco," or taking shit too seriously, or the tobacco rep would come on and start insulting people, ha ha.

Until someone suggest a particular blend, it's fair to say that it is merely conversation.
 

greeneyes

Lifer
Jun 5, 2018
2,344
12,869
Through mediums such as Social Media comments, and pipe community youtubers, I have been hearing/seeing rumors of "fake" Latakia being used in blends. I guess the thought is that cyprian latakia is becoming difficult to obtain and manufacturers are testing a sprayed on "liquid smoke" type flavoring to other types of leaf to mimic the taste of latakia. Can anyone tell me where this idea is coming from, and if it is legit?
An industry insider will be along any minute now to copy-paste their social media rumor control.

Personally? I've been smoking a pipe for nearly 30 years and I've come across multiple instances of Latakia that looks and tastes "fake". The use of these types of "enhanced" components such as Latakia and Perique has been happening for decades and is evident from leaked industry documents. However, it's nothing that anyone related with the industry would like to remain in the public consciousness for long.
 

cosmicfolklore

Moderator
Staff member
Aug 9, 2013
35,727
84,001
Between the Heart of Alabama and Hot Springs NC
An industry insider will be along any minute now to copy-paste their social media rumor control.

Personally? I've been smoking a pipe for nearly 30 years and I've come across multiple instances of Latakia that looks and tastes "fake". The use of these types of "enhanced" components such as Latakia and Perique has been happening for decades and is evident from leaked industry documents. However, it's nothing that anyone related with the industry would like to remain in the public consciousness for long.
Hey, if a tobacconist would even entertain the idea of adding a flavoring to a perfectly good Virginia, then who is to say that this sort of psychopath wouldn't entertain the idea of "enhancing" or flavoring a latakia or perique. I'm not saying that they have, nor would say that it has never happened. Just saying... puffy
 

woodsroad

Lifer
Oct 10, 2013
13,248
23,207
SE PA USA
I highly doubt any blender would add "latakia flavoring" then print "Cyprian Latakia" under the contents on the tin. I mean, unless they wanna Bud Light their company.
My guess is that Latakia Juice would be more likely to show up in premium pipe tobacco as a tertiary flavoring, mixed in with more dominant flavorings. Or maybe the untold gallons of Latakia Juice produced every year is just used on other stuff, like cigs, cigars, chew, air fresheners, bespoke leather jackets and single-serve yogurt.
 
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