Perique, a type of tobacco known for its strong, powerful, and fruity aroma, has a rich history that dates back to the 18th century. Cultivated in Saint James Parish, Louisiana, this tobacco variety has been perfected over centuries, resulting in a unique smoking experience that is cherished by connoisseurs worldwide.
The Native American Origins
Perique tobacco has its roots in the native tribes of Louisiana, specifically the Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes. These tribes were cultivating a variety of tobacco with a distinctive flavor when the Acadians arrived in the region in 1776.
The Role of Pierre Chenet
The transformation of this local tobacco into what is now known as Perique is credited to a farmer named Pierre Chenet. In 1824, Chenet began the labor-intensive technique of pressure-fermentation that is still used in the production of Perique today.
Cultivation and Harvesting
Perique tobacco is grown exclusively in Saint James Parish, Louisiana. The tobacco starts out as tiny seeds, which are planted in mid-March and grow for three months. The mature plants produce leaves more than 18-inches long, which are harvested in June.
The Fermentation Process
After harvesting, the leaves are hung on wires in open-air barns before being placed in oak whiskey barrels for fermentation. The barrels are opened every six weeks, the liquid is drained off, and the leaves are turned to ensure they continue to ferment.
The Flavor Profile
Perique is known for its strong, powerful, and fruity aroma. It has a flavor that fans define as spicy, earthy, and rich. Due to its pungent characteristics, Perique is most commonly used as a blending tobacco.
The Use in Blends
Perique is often used as a “condiment tobacco,” meaning it is used in small amounts to accent other tobaccos in a blend. This is due to its robust flavor and high nicotine content.
The Role of L.A. Poche Perique Tobacco
In 2005, Mark Ryan of Daughters and Ryan Tobacco in North Carolina purchased L.A. Poche Perique Tobacco in Convent, Louisiana. This marked a new era for Perique, ensuring its continued production and preservation.
The Future of Perique
Today, there are only about 25 Perique growers in St. James Parish. While this is a small number, it is a welcome one considering the tobacco was once on the verge of extinction.
what are the unique characteristics of perique tobacco
Perique tobacco, originating from Saint James Parish, Louisiana, is known for its strong, powerful, and fruity aroma. This unique type of tobacco is dark brown, nearly black, and very moist. Its fruity aroma is the result of hundreds of volatile compounds created by anaerobic fermentation, many of which are responsible for the flavors of fruits and are often found in wine.
One of the key characteristics that sets Perique apart from other tobaccos is its unique fermentation process. The tobacco plants are initially planted in greenhouses during late winter and are transplanted into the fields in spring. During the summer, the plants are stalk-cut harvested and air-cured, initially resulting in tobacco that closely resembles Burley but will undergo a unique fermentation process .
The fermentation process of Perique tobacco is labor-intensive and takes about a year at the very minimum. This, in combination with the limited crop supply, makes Perique rare and very expensive. The finished tobacco is dark brown nearly black very moist with a fruity, slightly vinegary aroma. The fruity aroma is the result of hundreds of volatile compounds created by anaerobic fermentation .
Perique tobacco is often used in small amounts to add flavor and depth to other types of tobacco, rather than being used on its own. Despite its rarity and high price, it remains popular among tobacco enthusiasts and is considered a delicacy.
Perique is most commonly used as a blending tobacco due to its pungent characteristics. Its flavor is often described as spicy, earthy, and rich. The amount of Perique added to a blend is also a significant factor. A little bit of Perique will tend to add spiciness and a stewed-plum flavor. The more Perique you add, the more complex flavors it has to offer, like mushroom and soy sauce, along with the stone fruit kind of notes.
what is perique tobacco and how is it made
Perique tobacco is a unique type of tobacco that originates from Saint James Parish, Louisiana. It is known for its strong, powerful, and fruity aroma. The tobacco is dark brown, nearly black, and very moist. The fruity aroma is the result of hundreds of volatile compounds created by anaerobic fermentation, many of which are responsible for the flavors of fruits and are often found in wine.
The process of making Perique tobacco is quite labor-intensive and involves a unique fermentation process. The tobacco plants are initially planted in greenhouses during late winter and are transplanted into the fields in spring. During the summer, the plants are stalk-cut harvested and air-cured, initially resulting in tobacco that closely resembles Burley but will undergo a unique fermentation process .
After air-curing, the leaves are picked from the stalks and heavily wetted to prepare them for the next step. The leaves are then packed into barrels with added water and pressure and left to ferment for several months. This process breaks down the cell walls of the tobacco leaves, releasing the oils and flavors that give Perique tobacco its characteristic taste.
The pressure fermentation involves packing the tobacco leaf tightly into used whiskey barrels where it stays under up to 30 tons of pressure. Every few months, the barrel will be emptied, and the tobacco will be turned and repacked. This vigorous process creates an extremely robust tobacco that has a very high nicotine content .
what are the most popular brands of perique tobacco
Perique tobacco, known for its strong, fruity aroma, is used in various tobacco blends by several brands. Some of the most popular brands that use Perique tobacco in their blends include:
Cornell & Diehl
Cornell & Diehl offers a variety of blends that are popular among Perique lovers. They have an exclusive partnership with 31 Farms, which has been producing Perique tobacco since the 1700s. Some of their most Perique-forward blends include Granulated Perique and Bayou Night.
G.L. Pease
G.L. Pease is another brand that offers Perique tobacco blends. While specific blends are not mentioned in the search results, the brand is known for its high-quality tobacco products.
Dunhill
Dunhill is a well-known brand in the tobacco industry, and they also offer blends that include Perique tobacco.
Ashton
Ashton’s Artisan’s Blend is a full-bodied English mixture that includes Perique tobacco. It is known for its spicy and satisfying taste.
Peterson
Peterson’s Irish Cask and Elizabethan blends both include Perique tobacco. These blends are part of a Virginia/Perique sampler pack, indicating their popularity among Perique lovers.
Samuel Gawith
Samuel Gawith’s St James Flake and Cabbie’s Mixture are also part of the Virginia/Perique sampler pack, suggesting that they are popular choices for those who enjoy Perique tobacco.
Charatan
Charatan offers several blends that include Perique tobacco, such as Victorian Mixture, Rolls, and Flake. These blends are also part of the Virginia/Perique sampler pack.
Gawith Hoggarth
Gawith Hoggarth’s Louisiana blend is another option for Perique lovers. It is included in the Virginia/Perique sampler pack.
River Road Tobacco Co.
River Road Tobacco Co. produces a Perique pipe tobacco called Jewel of St. James.
American Spirit
American Spirit, a subsidiary of Reynolds American Inc., markets a cigarette with a Perique blend, known as Perique Blend American Spirit. This blend has contributed to the brand’s growth in popularity.
Conclusion
Perique is a unique and rare type of tobacco with a rich history and a distinctive production process. Its strong, powerful flavor and high nicotine content make it a popular choice for blending with other tobaccos. Despite the health risks associated with tobacco use, the tradition of Perique cultivation and production continues, preserving this unique variety for future generations.
Statistics on Perique Tobacco
Consumption Statistics
Perique tobacco is used in various tobacco products, including American Spirit Black cigarettes. Despite its rarity, it is highly valued for its unique flavor and aroma.
Production Statistics
All Perique tobacco is farmed on less than 16 acres of land in Louisiana, mostly by one man. This limited production contributes to its rarity and high cost.
Frequently Asked Questions about Perique Tobacco
What is Perique Tobacco?
Perique is a type of tobacco known for its strong, powerful, and fruity aroma. It is fermented, which contributes to its unique flavor profile.
Where is Perique Tobacco Grown?
Perique tobacco is grown exclusively in Saint James Parish, Louisiana.
How is Perique Tobacco Used?
Perique tobacco is often used in pipe tobacco blends. It is also used in some cigarettes, such as American Spirit Black.
What Makes Perique Tobacco Unique?
Perique tobacco is unique due to its fermentation process, which contributes to its strong, powerful, and fruity aroma. It is also rare and expensive due to its limited production.
Recommended Books on Perique Tobacco
“Perique: Photographs by Charles Martin”
This book provides a detailed history of Perique tobacco, with captioned photos being the mainstay https://www.amazon.com/Perique-Photographs-Charles-Martin/dp/0917860624.
“Ninety More Pipe Blends: Download FREE Book”
This book offers unique blend recipes and information on how to make Perique at home https://fairtradetobacco.com/threads/book-ninety-more-pipe-blends-download-free-book.11103/.
Sources of Information on Perique Tobacco
Scientific Studies
Scientific studies provide valuable information on the characteristics and production of Perique tobacco https://www.fda.gov/media/135680/download
https://www.leffingwell.com/download/Volatile%20Constituents%20of%20Perique%20Tobacco4.pdf.
Online Forums and Discussions
Online forums and discussions, such as those on pipesmagazine.com and fairtradetobacco.com, offer insights and experiences from individuals who use and appreciate Perique tobacco https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/homemade-vapers-perique-question.102616/
https://pipesmokersdens.com/threads/perique-percentage-pointers.6821/.
Citations on Perique Tobacco
Authoritative Sources
Authoritative sources such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Wikipedia provide reliable information on Perique tobacco https://www.fda.gov/media/135680/download
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perique.
Relevant Research Papers
Research papers, such as “Volatile constituents of Perique tobacco” published on ResearchGate, offer in-depth scientific information on Perique tobacco https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228489250_Volatile_constituents_of_Perique_tobacco.