A tobacco material and a process for the treatment of tobacco are provided. The process comprises securing the tobacco material within a moisture-retaining material and exposing the tobacco material to an ambient processing temperature of at least about 45 C., with the tobacco having a packing density of at least 200 kg/m.sup.3 on a dry matter weight base at the start of the process and a moisture content of between about 10% and 15.5%. The treated tobacco material has an aerobic plate count of up to about 1000 CFU/g.

Described herein is a composition for use in a device for generating an inhalable medium, the composition comprising (i) 50-85% by weight of air-cured and/or fire-cured tobacco (ii) 0-50% by weight of flue-cured and/or sun-cured tobacco that has not been subjected to any further treatment which affects the flavor properties of tobacco, and (iii) 0-50% by weight of flue-cured and/or sun-cured tobacco that has been further treated to enhance the flavor properties of tobacco.

A tobacco material and a process for the treatment of tobacco are provided. The process comprises securing the tobacco within a moisture-retaining material and exposing the tobacco material to an ambient processing temperature of at least about 45 C., with the tobacco having a packing density of at least 200 kg/m.sup.3 on a dry matter weight base at the start of the process and a moisture content of between about 10% and 23%. The TSNA content of the tobacco material is maintained at a relatively constant level during the process.

Provided herein is a composition for use in a device for generating an inhalable medium, the composition including (a) 20-40% by weight of air-cured and/or fire-cured tobacco, (b) 0-35% by weight of flue-cured and/or sun-cured tobacco that has not been subjected to any further treatment which affects the flavor properties of tobacco, and (c) 25-80% by weight of flue-cured and/or sun-cured tobacco that has been further treated to enhance the flavor properties of tobacco.

Provided herein is a composition for use in a device for generating an inhalable medium, the composition including (a) 20-40% by weight of air-cured and/or fire-cured tobacco, (b) 0-35% by weight of flue-cured and/or sun-cured tobacco that has not been subjected to any further treatment which affects the flavor properties of tobacco, and (c) 25-80% by weight of flue-cured and/or sun-cured tobacco that has been further treated to enhance the flavor properties of tobacco.

A method of modifying the moisture level of (e.g., dehydrating) a tobacco plant or portion thereof, a tobacco-derived material, a tobacco product, or a tobacco additive is provided herein. The methods of dehydration disclosed herein can provide various benefits relative to traditional drying techniques, including providing retention of various beneficial components present in green tobacco (e.g., organoleptic compounds and proteins). Smoking articles and other tobacco products including such dehydrated tobacco materials are also provided.

A method of modifying the moisture level of (e.g., dehydrating) a tobacco plant or portion thereof, a tobacco-derived material, a tobacco product, or a tobacco additive is provided herein. The methods of dehydration disclosed herein can provide various benefits relative to traditional drying techniques, including providing retention of various beneficial components present in green tobacco (e.g., organoleptic compounds and proteins). Smoking articles and other tobacco products including such dehydrated tobacco materials are also provided.

A system for a tobacco curing barn is capable of collecting tobacco-derived moisture from tobacco while that tobacco is cured. The system incorporates a tobacco curing barn or other type of curing enclosure, such as bulk curing barn used for the flue-curing of tobacco. The curing barn is equipped with at least one reclamation element configured to condense and collect moisture released from tobacco cured within the barn. The reclamation element is disposed in proximity with the enclosure in a manner and location providing passage of moist air released from the tobacco across a surface of the reclamation element. The system also includes at least one storage container disposed in fluid communication with the reclamation element surface and configured to store moisture and moisture-borne material collected by the reclamation element. The resulting tobacco-derived components can be blended with other tobacco materials, such as is common practice during tobacco reordering.

A system for a tobacco curing barn is capable of collecting tobacco-derived moisture from tobacco while that tobacco is cured. The system incorporates a tobacco curing barn or other type of curing enclosure, such as bulk curing barn used for the flue-curing of tobacco. The curing barn is equipped with at least one reclamation element configured to condense and collect moisture released from tobacco cured within the barn. The reclamation element is disposed in proximity with the enclosure in a manner and location providing passage of moist air released from the tobacco across a surface of the reclamation element. The system also includes at least one storage container disposed in fluid communication with the reclamation element surface and configured to store moisture and moisture-borne material collected by the reclamation element. The resulting tobacco-derived components can be blended with other tobacco materials, such as is common practice during tobacco reordering.

The present invention relates to an improved method for preparing a tobacco composition suitable for use as a smokeless tobacco composition wherein the tobacco material can be cooled down, after being heated to a temperature of 80 C. or more, to a temperature of below 25 C. during a time period of 20 min or less.