| 摘要 |
<p>A method is disclosed for expanding tobacco in which tobacco, containing at least 15% moisture by weight, is heated by a stream of gas, the temperature of said gas being from about 300.degree.F to about 800.degree.F, such that relative velocity between said gas and said tobacco particles is from about 15 ft/sec to about 150 ft/sec, over substantially the entire residence of the tobacco in said gas stream. Preferably the tobacco is exposed to the gas stream for a period of about 0.5 to about 6.0 seconds, and the gas includes steam with a dewpoint of at least 180.degree.F.</p> |
