Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a smoking tobacco having a low nitrate content includes at least one stage through which a tobacco having a relatively high nitrate content, for example burley tobacco, continuously passes for continuous nitrate removal by dissolution. In the nitrate removal stage, a solvent is added to, for example, the burley tobacco to form a slurry. The free solvent, including dissolved nitrates, is decanted from the slurry leaving saturated burley tobacco. The saturated burley tobacco is subjected to an expression pressure to remove a further amount of solvent and dissolved nitrates therefrom. After the burley tobacco leaves the nitrate removing stage, it is mixed with another tobacco, such as, for example, a flue-cured tobacco. The tobacco mixture is then expanded and dried to a moisture content suitable for use in a smoking article.

Abstract: A processed expandable tobacco paste as an additive to a cigarette, and a cigarette having the tobacco paste is disclosed. The tobacco paste provides a cigarette with the physical properties of firmness of tobacco, even tobacco burning, draw resistance, cigarette end stability and coal retention of conventional cigarettes, but at a lower tobacco density than conventional cigarettes. The cigarette includes a cylindrical tobacco rod, at least one longitudinally extending line of expanded tobacco paste, and wrapping material circumferentially surrounding the tobacco rod which compresses the relatively low density tobacco rod. The tobacco paste can also contain a flavoring ingredient.

Abstract: Whole tobacco stems are converted to expanded tobacco particles by opening the cellular structure of the stems and moisturizing the stems by the simultaneous application of water and steam. The stems, at a first induced moisture content of from 20 to 40% are then subjected to an equilibration step where the moisture content of the stem is uniformly distributed within the stems. The equilibrated stems are thereafter moisturized to a second induced moisture content by first an application of water and thereafter the simultaneous application of water and steam. At the second induced moisture content of from 30 to 60% the stems are cut into a plurality of particles that are thereafter expanded and dried to a final moisture content of from 13 to 25%.

Abstract: Whole tobacco stems are uniformly moisturized by opening the cellular structure of the stems and inducing moisture to permeate the opened cellular structure. By an initial and simultaneous application of water and steam, the cellular structure of the stems is opened, and moisture permeates the structure to a first induced moisture content. Thereafter, the stems are equilibrated with the moisture diffusing throughout the cross-section of the stems. Subsequent to equilibration, the stems are moisturized to a second induced moisture content by initially applying water to the stems and thereafter a mixture of water and steam.