Blending Latakia

Blending Latakia is the pure latakia leaf that the Kendal-based house of Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. sells not as a finished blend but as a component for building blends. Latakia is produced by long smoke-curing oriental leaf over resinous wood and brush in closed cells; this process turns the leaf nearly black, lowers its nicotine, and leaves a heavy, smoky, tarry, leather-like flavour. Records indicate the firm offers this leaf only in bulk.

It is not intended to be smoked on its own; it is added in small proportions alongside Virginia and oriental leaf to build the backbone of English and Balkan-style blends. It is aimed at smokers who build their own blends and want to decide the ratio themselves. When burned pure, the flavour is very intense while the nicotine stays low, so weight of flavour rather than strength is what stands out.