Abstract: A chewing tobacco product that does not disintegrate during mastication characterized by a uniform flavor and a smooth chew that consists of a blend of 10 to 70% of particulate tobacco in a chewing gum base present in the amount of 20 to 75% of the product, together with a glycerine humectant in the amount of 2 to 12% of the product, and sweetening and flavoring agents.

Abstract: A process for expanding tobacco includes the steps of adjusting the moisture content of cut tobacco, pressurizing the cut tobacco with or without treatment, releasing the pressurized cut tobacco rapidly into a dryer and reordering the tobacco. The apparatus includes a housing having at least one chamber and preferably a chamber divided into a plurality of isolated sectors. Tobacco is received in the chamber or in each sector and released quickly from the housing following at least the step of pressurization of tobacco by steam. The apparatus may be used for batch and continuous treatment of tobacco. According to the continuous treatment, the sectors are formed by a rotating member, and each sector of the member is filled with tobacco as the member rotates relative to an inlet. The inlet and an outlet through which treated tobacco falls are in vertical alignment.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is an apparatus for increasing the filling capacity of cured tobacco by evaporatively freeze-drying water expanded tobacco and effecting heating of the tobacco by infrared radiation. The treated tobacco has increased filling capacity without suffering disadvantageous results.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is a method for increasing the filling capacity of cured tobacco by evaporatively freeze-drying water expanded tobacco and effecting heating of the tobacco by infrared radiation. The treated tobacco has increased filling capacity without suffering disadvantageous results.

Abstract: Tobacco tissue is puffed by admixing with it hot water, preferably in the form of droplets, in amounts which are substantially completely absorbed by the tobacco in five minutes or less and thus cause puffing of the tobacco cell walls, and freeze drying the resulting tobacco to retain its puffed condition.

Abstract: The filling capacity of shredded tobacco tissue is increased by being first conditioned by treating the tobacco to raise its temperature to at least about 130.degree. F. and its moisture content above about 15% and then hot-gas drying the tobacco in the form of a thin laminar dispersion, about 1 inch thick, in the gas at a temperature such that the moisture content of the tobacco will be lowered within about 5 seconds to the optimum moisture content to maintain improved filling capacity in the tobacco end products made from such material.