Profession curing room worker

Curing room workers assist in the blending, aging, and fermenting of tobacco strips and stems for the production of cigars, chewing tobacco and snuff.

Personality Type

• Realistic / Conventional

Knowledge

• Curing methods for tobacco leaves

  Processes which aim at eliminating the moisture of tobacco leaves and grant scent in order to prepare them for consumption.

• Fermentation process of tobacco leaves

  Process by which ammonia is released from the leaf. It can be done by raising the temperature and humidity, by heaping the tobacco into large piles or by using of a kiln. Under the raised temperature and humidity, enzymes in the leaf cause fermentation.

• Manufacturing of smokeless tobacco products

  The processes, materials, and techniques to manufacture different types of smokeless tobacco products such as chewing tobacco, dipping tobacco, tobacco gum and snus.

• Variety of tobacco leaves

  Types of tobacco cultivars and varieties and their characteristics. Connection of attributes with cigar or cigarettes product requirements.

• Manufacturing of smoked tobacco products

  The processes, materials, and techniques to manufacture different types of smoked tobacco products such as cigars, fine cut tobacco, pipe tobacco, and cigarettes.

• Quality prototype of a tobacco leaf

  Characteristics and properties of a tobacco leaf to grade and consider it of high, medium, or low quality product taking into account colour variations, tears, tar spots, tight grain, and size of the leaf.

• History of tobacco

  The different stages and developments of tobacco cultivation, cultural particularities and trading through time.

Skills

• Blend tobacco leaves

  Blend tobacco leaves by cutting, conditioning, and blending the leaves of tobacco before these are being wrapped in a cigar or cut for cigarettes.

• Perform different tobacco leaves curing methods

  Perform different tobacco leaves curing methods such as air-curing tobacco, fire-cured tobacco, flue-cured tobacco, and sun-cured tobacco.

• Cure tobacco leaves

  Remove the moisture out of the tobacco leaves directly after harvesting them through various processes such as air curing, flue curing or sun curing.

• Perform sun-cured methods for tobacco

  Place tobacco in the sun uncovered to let it dry out naturally. Generally, oriental tobacco is low in sugar and nicotine and is very popular for cigarettes.

• Dry tobacco leaves

  Dry tobacco leaves to a precisely defined level of moisture according to product specifications.

• Assess fermentation levels of tobacco leaves

  Assess fermentation stage of tobacco leaves. Use thermometers, humidifiers, water, and your sense to test the level of fermentation.

• Flavour tobacco leaves

  Flavour tobacco leaves to set off the taste of tobacco and to maintain the quality of the product.

• Operate tobacco drying technology

  Operate tobacco drying technology that dries the tobacco at higher temperatures and therefore more quickly than conventional dryers. Shorter drying times reduce tobacco degradation and energy consumption.

• Follow production schedule

  Follow production schedule taking into account all requirements, times and needs. This schedule outlines what individual commodities must be produced in each time period and encapsulates various concerns like production, staffing, inventory, etc. It is usually linked to manufacturing where the plan indicates when and how much of each product will be demanded. Utilise all the information in the actual implementation of the plan.

• Apply HACCP

  Apply regulations regarding manufacture of food and food safety compliance. Employ food safety procedures based on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP).

• Perform flue-cured methods for tobacco

  String tobacco leaves into tobacco sticks, and hang them from tier-poles in curing barn's "kilns". Slowly raise the temperature over the course of the curing process. The procedure will generally take about a week. Flue-cured tobacco generally produces with a high content of sugar and medium to high levels of nicotine.

• Perform stacking fermentation of tobacco leaves

  Wrap large stacks of tobacco in burlap and allow them to "sweat". The internal temperature is closely monitored. When it reaches 60 degrees Celsius, the stack is broken down to release tar, ammonia, and nicotine. Repeat the process until the stack no longer reaches 45 degrees Celsius. Strip the stems and stack them in a cooler place to age.

• Perform kiln fermentation of tobacco leaves

  Place tobacco leaves in the kiln with the lid shut. Control heat and humidity. Kiln fermenting lasts about 4 to 6 weeks.

• Tie tobacco leaves in hands

  Tie tobacco leaves in a bundle called a hand taking care that each hand contains an equal quantity. Calculate weight of the hand and tie it safely. Prepare hands before curing or inspection processes.

• Perform tobacco leaves conditioning

  Process tobacco to ensure that it retains elasticity by passing it through a controlled environment at the right temperature and humidity levels.

• Apply requirements concerning manufacturing of food and beverages

  Apply and follow national, international, and internal requirements quoted in standards, regulations and other specifications related with manufacturing of food and beverages.

• Perform air-cured methods for tobacco

  Perform air-cured tobacco by hanging the tobacco in a well-ventilated barn and allow it to dry over a period of four to eight weeks. Air-cured tobacco is generally low in sugar content, which gives the tobacco smoke a smooth, semi-sweet flavour. Air-cured tobacco leaves usually have a high nicotine content.

• Sort tobacco leaves

  Sort tobacco leaves according to colour and condition. Select the leaves with the best specifications for rolling cigars and for quality assurance. Sort tobacco leaves for manufacturing of different products such as pipe tobacco and chewing tobacco.

• Assess the colour curing of tobacco leaves

  Assess colour curing of tobacco leaves to determine the stage of curing and aging of the leaf.

• Perform pre-blending of tobacco leaves

  Pre-blend tobacco leaves to ensure a balanced mix of different types of tobacco in one hand.

• Be at ease in unsafe environments

  Be at ease in unsafe environments like being exposed to dust, rotating equipment, hot surfaces, sub-freezing and cold storage areas, noise, wet floors and moving lift equipment.

• Cut tobacco leaves

  Cut leaves into fine strands using the adequate equipment before drying. Ensure that cutting sizes are according to requirements.

• Apply GMP

  Apply regulations regarding manufacture of food and food safety compliance. Employ food safety procedures based on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB