1. Virginia
Percentage of production in the world: 40%.
Other names: Bright, Flue-cured.
Where is used: cigarette blends, pipe blends.
Characteristics: high sugar to nitrogen ratio.
Color: from lemon to orange to mahogany.
Major producers in the world: USA, India, China, Brazil, Zimbabwe.
Major exporters: USA, Brazil, India, Zimbabwe.
Production in the USA (major states): Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, Georgia.
2. Oriental
Percentage of production in the world: 16%.
Other names: Turkish tobacco.
Where is used: cigarette blends, pipe blends.
Characteristics: low nicotine.
Color: dull yellow to rich brown.
Major producers in the world: Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Republic of Macedonia.
3. Burley
Percentage of production in the world: 11%.
Where is used: cigarette blends, pipe blends, chewing.
Characteristics: very low sugar to nitrogen ratio.
Color: from light tan to reddish and brown.
Major producers in the world: USA, Brazil, Malawi, Argentina.
Production in the USA (major states): Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, North Carolina, Indiana, Missouri.
4. Maryland
Percentage of production in the world: very small.
Where is used: American blended cigarettes, Swiss cigarette blends.
Characteristics: low nicotine, neutral aroma.
Color: different shades of brown.
Major producers in the world: USA, Italy.
Production in the USA (major states): Washington, D.C.