Flue-curing, being a regulated drying process using heat from piping or ducts that is applied to the green leaves of the plant. The process turns the leaves to a yellow or golden hue’ed dry product, ensuring that the desired chemical changes are fixed to stabilize the leaves characteristics of strength, character, aroma, taste, smoke and colour. The result is Virginia tobacco suitable for blending purposes.

Virginia blends, by their very name, use exclusively flue-cured Virginia tobaccos, whereas American blends use Virginia tobacco along with Burley and Oriental grades.

As with American blends, the addition of Virginia Recon (reconstituted tobacco) and CRES (Virginia expanded stems) are frequent addition to the blends. In doing so target levels of Nicotine and Tar can be better managed, costs can be controlled and easier blending management for an ongoing uniformly consistent product.