Study on the Suitable Single Leaf Mass for Middle Flue-cured Tobacco Leaves Based on Brand Demand

In order to reasonably evaluate and control the weight per leaf of flue-cured tobacco, different weight per leaf tobacco samples in central Henan and eastern Yunnan raw material production areas of Shanghai tobacco group were prepared. The differences in appearance quality, main chemical compositions, sensory quality and industrial usability of different weigh per leaf tobacco leaves were investigated and the appropriate weight per leaf based on cigarette brand demand was proposed. The results showed that the weight per leaf of middle tobacco leaves was mainly distributed during 14.5-26.5 g in central Henan and 11.0-17.0 g in eastern Yunnan production area. When the weight per leaf was in the range of 8.5-38.5 g in central Henan and 8.0-29.0 g in eastern Yunnan production areas, with the increase of weight per leaf, the tobacco leaves thickened, the color saturation and oil content improved, and the content of reducing sugar, total sugar and starch increased, the reducing sugar/nicotine enhanced. A parabolic change of sensory quality and industrial usability was showed with the increase of weight per leaf, and the aroma quality score of tobacco leaves was lower in relatively low weight per leaf tobacco leaves, while the taste comfort score obviously decreased with higher weight per leaf tobacco leaves. For the demand of "Chonghua" brand tobacco raw materials, the appropriate weight per leaf of central Henan production area was between 17.5-20.5 g, while that of eastern Yunnan producing area was 14.0-17.0 g.