Tobacco treatment

摘要

A process for treating tobacco material comprising securing the tobacco material within moisture-retaining material and exposing the tobacco material to an ambient processing temperature above 55°C, wherein the tobacco material has a packing density on a dry matter weight base of at least 200 kg/m3 at the start of the process and a moisture content of 10-23% before and during the treatment. The packing density is preferably 200 and 500 kg/m3 and the moisture content is preferably 10-15.5% before and during treatment. The tobacco material may be secured within the moisture-retaining material for 5-65 days with the temperature of the tobacco reaching the ambient processing temperature in 4-10 days. The tobacco may then reach a second, higher temperature at least 2°C above the ambient processing temperature, taking 7-13 days to achieve. Also disclosed is tobacco material treated according to the above process. Further disclosed is a smoking article or smokeless tobacco product comprising the tobacco material. Further disclosed is use of the tobacco material for the manufacture of the smoking article or smokeless tobacco product. Also disclosed is tobacco extract from the tobacco material. Also disclosed is a nicotine delivery system comprising the tobacco extract from the tobacco material.