How to Roll a Cigar

Take a few tobacco leaves and place them in a plastic bag. Moisten them slightly with water spray and gently close the bag to prevent them from breaking.After an hour the leaves should be elastic enough to form a package, at this point tighten the bag further to make them even more beautiful and malleable and wait another hour.Remove the midrib of the leaves.Set them aside in an open bag and let them dry.At the end of the process they should become stronger and not too moist.

Take the softened leaves and form a line of about 90 centimetres. Select a mix of different leaves.Arrange them in layers until you are able to take a portion of the line and compress it slightly;this will be the size of the cigar you will make.Once rolled, the cigar will be slightly smaller than the size you took, so it overflows slightly.It takes some practice to get a cigar of the right diameter.

Take a handful of leaves and trim them about a couple of centimeters from the sides of the fist. Then set them aside. Repeat the process with the other leaves until you have used up the entire row.Now you have your filling.

For the underband, take a large leaf and make it malleable. Fold it in half lengthwise with the center rib facing you.“Cut” away the grain with scissors.You should now have two halves of a very good leaf (not the best ever, but still good).The best leaf, the one without defects, should be saved for the band.Cut the two parts in half to obtain four leaf quarters of approximately 10 x 10 cm each.Two quarters, those obtained from the tip of the leaf, will be triangular in shape, the other two a little more squared.You now have four sub-bands available.

Do the same thing with the best leaf and the band is ready.

Mix together 0.6 grams of flour and 30-45 ml of water. You can use different sizes, but try to use as little flour as possible.It is advisable to put the solution in the microwave for 15 seconds, mix for 10 seconds and repeat the process until the mixture becomes a well-blended paste.Typically you need to repeat the process three to four times.Once the mixture is left to cool, it should firm up a bit.It should not be too thick, but have almost the same consistency as maple syrup, for example.

Take a leaf for the underband and place it on a flat surface with the underside facing you. When rolling the cigar don't tighten too much or you will compromise the draw;on the other hand, not tightening enough will lead to questionable results to say the least.It takes some practice.Apply the underband to all your cigars and set them aside, then do the same thing with the band.

Twist the ends, then cut close to them or apply a piece of circular leaf to one of the ends of the cigar to form the so-called cap (like the real professionals do!) It's your cigar, make it however you want!