Tobacco Seeds Key Terms

Understand terminology used to describe various types of tobacco seed

By Kristina Seleshanko

Each year, people smoke 5.5 trillion cigarettes. There's no question the tobacco industry is a profitable one, and the United States is fourth in the world for tobacco production. But, if you are new to the tobacco industry, there's a lot to learn. For example, as you shop for or research tobacco seed, you will likely run across many new terms you've never heard. Some relate directly to the type of seed you are buying, while others reference the type of tobacco plant the seed produces. To help you navigate through seed catalogs, check out some tobacco seeds key terms.

Heirloom

Heirloom tobacco seeds are non-hybrid seeds that have a long history in farming. Most tobacco farmers don't use them in modern commercial agriculture, because they're more prone to disease and similar problems than other tobacco seeds. However, heirloom seeds produce plants that create new and usable seeds, whereas modern hybrid seeds produce plants with sterile, or unusable seeds.
Try: Heirloom Tobacco explains and pictures a number of varieties of heirloom tobacco plants and seeds.

Hybrid

Hybrid tobacco seeds are seeds cultivated by carefully breeding plants for specific and desirable traits. For example, hybrid tobacco seeds cross plants that tend to be resistant to disease. This creates a seed that grows abundantly with the least amount of effort.
Try: Netwon Seed offers detailed descriptions of its hybrid seeds.

Virginia

Virginia tobacco seeds produce the most commonly grown tobacco for smoking. Virginia tobacco has a mild flavor and a fairly high content of natural sugar.
Try: TobaccoSeed.ca describes various types of smoking tobacco, including the Virginia variety. Scroll down to "Tobacco Types" for complete information.

Burley

Burley tobacco seeds produce the second most popular tobacco plant grown in the United States. Unlike the Virginia variety, Burley seeds produce a plant with nearly no sugar, which creates a tobacco that tastes more dry. Burley tobacco also burns slowly, making it popular for blends.
Try: NC State University A&T State University Cooperative Extension gives statistics about Burley tobacco seeds and plants.

Maryland

Maryland tobacco seeds produce a plant with a lower than average nicotine content. The Maryland variety is declining in popularity.
Try: The Washington Post discusses the decline of Maryland tobacco seed and plants.

Oriental

Oriental tobacco seeds produce a plant that makes mild-tasting tobacco. These seeds have a strong smell and taste slightly sweet.
Try: Pipe Smoking Tobacco described Oriental tobacco plants in further detail.