Homemade Latakia Plug

[docpierce]

Here is the next in a series of pressing experiments that I'm doing.
The press is simple: Short section of PVC, two hardwood (oak) stoppers and a bar clamp.

The entire process is as follows:
Weigh and mix ingredients in a large bowl.
Add a small amount of sugar syrup, rum, etc... mix and wait for it to infuse though the dry tobacco.
Stuff it into the pvc- stopper the ends and use a small bit of parchment paper to cover the stoppers.
Apply bar clamp and compress.
I like to hold it under pressure for a few weeks.
There is no reason that a person couldn't make their own plug from premade blends- if you like plug tobacco. As I do.

 

[whitebar]

That looks really tasty!

 

[badbriar]

Here is the next in a series of pressing experiments that I'm doing.
The press is simple: Short section of PVC, two hardwood (oak) stoppers and a bar clamp.

The entire process is as follows:
Weigh and mix ingredients in a large bowl.
Add a small amount of sugar syrup, rum, etc... mix and wait for it to infuse though the dry tobacco.
Stuff it into the pvc- stopper the ends and use a small bit of parchment paper to cover the stoppers.
Apply bar clamp and compress.
I like to hold it under pressure for a few weeks.
There is no reason that a person couldn't make their own plug from premade blends- if you like plug tobacco. As I do.

WELL DONE!!!

 

[Gubbins]

Looks and sounds great! What kind of wood did you use to make the latakia?

 

[Gubbins]

Are you cutting up the tobacco before pressing or layering the whole leaves? Thanks for sharing!

 

[docpierce]

Are you cutting up the tobacco before pressing or layering the whole leaves? Thanks for sharing!

I have been roughly shredding the leaves and removing stem pieces before mixing and pressing.

There is a lengthy thread over at the FTT forum where I and others list the various wood. In short: Oak bark, Rosemary California Bay Laurel, Honeysuckle stems and others.

Syrian latakia accounts have historically been make and most wood and scrubs are available locally. With the notable exceptions of Pistachio and the Mastic tree.

Making Latakia at Home

If you have not yet ventured into firing some of your tobacco for Latakia, save your Christmas tree. It's likely an excellent choice for a firing wood in your smoker. Just remember to remove the tinsel, and be sure to unplug it first. Bob

fairtradetobacco.com

 

[hauntedmyst]

So the real question is, how does it taste? We're gonna need independent verification. I'll fall on that grenade.

 

[docpierce]

So the real question is, how does it taste? We're gonna need independent verification. I'll fall on that grenade.

The latakia or the plug? The homemade latakia in really good though different from Cypriot. Syrian...I couldnt say. I've never tried it. I was too late to the game. It is made from Bursa, oriental. Fire cured for 8 weeks. Very labor intensive- keeping the smoker unit lit and fed with fuel for that long.

The plug is very good and I,m confident will get better with age (if it lasts long). It is pretty lat heavy. Very smokable, though.

 

[hauntedmyst]

Nice! But that sound hugely expensive to make. Was it?

 

[mso489]

Very cool, ready for smoking neat or for mixing, and will keep better than loose tobacco by far. It takes a little more time to prep than loose tobacco, but retains more flavor for longer. Also, in my opinion, like coin/flake/rope, it gives a longer smoke in small bowl pipes.

 

[docpierce]

Nice! But that sound hugely expensive to make. Was it?

Expensive? Not dollar wise. But I enjoy growing my own tobacco. Latakia starts with using various oriental varieties. Time wise, I suppose it was expensive.

I air cured Bursa leaves and hung it in a re-purposed smoker with a metal can on top. I hung the leaves inside the can. Here is a pic of the lat about half way through the smoking process. also -some of the Ca Bay Laurel I used for smoker fuel.

 

[hauntedmyst]

How much wood did you go thru in 8 weeks though?

 

[docpierce]

How much wood did you go thru in 8 weeks though?

A big pile.

 

[saltedplug]

awesome!

 

[supdog]

Summer is just around the corner, you should fill your press and set it on the dashboard of your car for a couple of weeks and let it bake to see how the heat affects the plug.

 

[italiansallion]

Summer is just around the corner, you should fill your press and set it on the dashboard of your car for a couple of weeks and let it bake to see how the heat affects the plug.

I did something similar with a plug I made, I left it out in the sun for a few weeks and it is dense like 3Ps plug. Gave it a turn Of the clamp every day and it turned out amazing.

 

[jaxonlee]

That looks beyond delicious! Great work.

 

[Tommy Boy]

That is cool to see. Its nice when you can take pride in a job well done. Is this your first attempt or have you been making plugs for awhile?