CRT Tobacco Product Knowledge & Classification 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary chemical compound responsible for the stimulant effect of tobacco?
- Nicotine (Correct answer)
- Solanine
- Cotinine
- Anabasine
Correct answer: Nicotine
Nicotine is the primary alkaloid in tobacco that acts as a stimulant by binding to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain.
Question 2: Which of the following is a characteristic of 'air-cured' tobacco?
- Low sugar content and high nicotine levels (Correct answer)
- High sugar content and mild flavor
- Dark color from fire or flue exposure
- Used exclusively for premium cigar wrappers
Correct answer: Low sugar content and high nicotine levels
Air-cured tobaccos like Burley lose most of their natural sugars during the curing process, resulting in low sugar and relatively high nicotine content.
Question 3: A 'Robusto' cigar typically measures approximately:
- 5 inches long with a 50 ring gauge (Correct answer)
- 7 inches long with a 47 ring gauge
- 4 inches long with a 60 ring gauge
- 6.5 inches long with a 44 ring gauge
Correct answer: 5 inches long with a 50 ring gauge
The Robusto is one of the most popular cigar formats, standardized at approximately 4¾–5 inches with a 50 ring gauge.
Question 4: What distinguishes 'sun-grown' wrapper tobacco from 'shade-grown' wrapper tobacco?
- Sun-grown wrappers tend to be oilier, thicker, and more robust in flavor (Correct answer)
- Sun-grown wrappers are thinner and more delicate than shade-grown
- Sun-grown wrappers are grown indoors under artificial lighting
- Sun-grown wrappers are used exclusively for machine-made cigars
Correct answer: Sun-grown wrappers tend to be oilier, thicker, and more robust in flavor
Sun-grown wrappers develop thicker leaves with more oils and veins due to direct sunlight exposure, producing a bolder, more rustic flavor profile.
Question 5: Which tobacco growing region in Nicaragua is known for its volcanic, mineral-rich soil that contributes to a 'peppery' flavor profile?
- Jalapa Valley
- Estelí (Correct answer)
- Condega
- Jalapa and Condega combined
Correct answer: Estelí
Estelí is Nicaragua's premier tobacco-growing region, known for its volcanic soil, high altitude, and the bold, earthy, peppery character it imparts to tobacco.
Question 6: In the context of pipe tobacco, what is a 'Virginia' flake?
- Virginia tobacco pressed into a cake and sliced into flat pieces (Correct answer)
- Loose Virginia leaf shredded for easy packing
- A Virginia tobacco rope that is twisted and cut
- Ribbon-cut Virginia blended with Latakia
Correct answer: Virginia tobacco pressed into a cake and sliced into flat pieces
Virginia flake is produced by pressing Virginia tobacco leaves into a dense cake under pressure and then slicing it into flat pieces that the smoker can rub out or fold.
Question 7: What is 'retrohaling' in the context of cigar smoking?
- Exhaling smoke slowly through the nasal passage to engage retronasal olfaction (Correct answer)
- Drawing smoke through the foot of the cigar in reverse
- A technique for lighting a cigar from the foot upward
- Re-lighting a previously smoked cigar from the unburned portion
Correct answer: Exhaling smoke slowly through the nasal passage to engage retronasal olfaction
Retrohaling involves exhaling smoke through the nose, allowing the retronasal olfactory receptors to detect aromatic compounds not perceptible on the palate alone.
CRT Tobacco Product Knowledge & Classification 3
What is the primary chemical compound responsible for the stimulant effect of tobacco?