Abstract: The invention provides a process for treating tobacco material comprising: securing tobacco starting material within a sealed reactor preventing the ingress or exit of any gas or liquid; heating the tobacco material to a temperature of from about 60° C. to about 200° C. for a period of from about 6 hours to about 120 hours; allowing the temperature of the tobacco material to cool down to about room temperature whilst secured within the sealed reactor; and removing treated tobacco material from the sealed reactor. It also provides tobacco material treated by the process, extracts from said tobacco material, and to products including the treated tobacco material or extracts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of treating tobacco for the development of distinctive organoleptic properties, wherein said process comprises the following steps: (a) inserting the previously moistened tobacco to be treated in a closed vessel; (b) monitoring the treatment environment temperature to keep the temperature of the moistened tobacco substantially uniform; (c) keeping the material under treatment for a period of time sufficient for the development of distinguishing flavor and taste; and (d) removing the treated tobacco with an appropriate moisture content having customized flavor features of the product; wherein the material is gently and continuously revolved during the whole treatment in a way not to fragmentize or otherwise damage the raw material being treated.

Abstract: Equipment for treatment of tobacco or another bulk material sensitive to mechanical stress, the equipment having: (i) a rotatable treatment drum with a material inlet and a material outlet; (ii) a treatment fluid inlet; (iii) a treatment fluid excess outlet; (iv) a drive motor for the rotatable treatment drum; and (v) a temperature sensor.

Abstract: Equipment for treatment of tobacco or another bulk material sensitive to mechanical stress, the equipment having: (i) a rotatable treatment drum with a material inlet and a material outlet; (ii) a treatment fluid inlet; (iii) a treatment fluid excess outlet; (iv) a drive motor for the rotatable treatment drum; and (v) a temperature sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of treating tobacco for the development of distinctive organoleptic properties, wherein said process comprises the following steps: (a) inserting the previously moistened tobacco to be treated in a closed vessel; (b) monitoring the treatment environment temperature to keep the temperature of the moistened tobacco substantially uniform; (c) keeping the material under treatment for a period of time sufficient for the development of distinguishing flavour and taste; and (d) removing the treated tobacco with an appropriate moisture content having customized flavour features of the product; wherein the material is gently and continuously revolved during the whole treatment in a way not to fragmentise or otherwise damage the raw material being treated.