Abstract The polyphenol content of tobacco is reduced with minimal effect F. the desired characteristics of the final tobacco which has been moistened by contact with water or water vapor so that the moisture content of the said tobacco is at least 70 percent and is product by subjecting tobacco which has been moistened by contact with water or water vapor so that the moisture content of the said tobacco is at least 70 percent and is in the yellowed state to a short term of heating between about 140* and about 180* F. to initiate oxidative browning and thereafter holding the tobacco at a temperature between about 70* and about 110* F. until a major portion of the polyphenol content thereof is enzymatically oxidized. The heating may be effected by infrared radiation or by contacting the tobacco with hot gases or hot water. The tobacco may be treated either in whole leaf or in shredded form.
Inventors
👤 William H Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-10-29 16:28
CPC Classifications
A; A24; A24B; A24B15/00; A24B15/18; A24B15/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
27 words
A method of curing tobacco as defined in claim 1 wherein the yellowed tobacco is shredded before it is subjected to the oxidative browning initiating heat treatment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of curing tobacco as defined in claim 1 wherein the tobacco is shredded after it has been subjected to the oxidative browning initiating heat treatment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method of curing tobacco as defined in claim 1 wherein the yellowed tobacco is heated to oxidative browning initiating temperature by immersion in hot water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method of curing tobacco as defined in claim 1 wherein the yellowed tobacco is heated to oxidative browning initiating temperature by passing hot air through or over the tobacco.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method of curing tobacco as defined in claim 4 wherein the heated tobacco is cooled to from about 70* to about 110* F. by the evaporative cooling effect of a current of air.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the tobacco after oxidative browning is dried by low pressure sublimation of the water content thereof from the frozen condition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the tobacco after oxidative browning is dried by passing a current of air through or over the tobacco.