How are pipe tobaccos cured?

There are four major ways to cure (and dry) tobaccos:

a) Sun-cured: The tobacco is left in the open in direct contact with the sun.
b) Air-cured: The tobacco is placed in the open air.
c) Flue-cured: Here the tobacco is exposed to heat produced by hot plates placed underneath the hanging tobacco bundles.
d) Fire-cured: A good example is Latakia, which is exposed to the heat and smoke of burning wood (in this case, oak). This process imparts a particular taste and aroma to the end product.

Next articles: What‘s the best way to fill a pipe with tobacco?