Cuba is known as the world leader in high-quality tobacco. Cuban cigars are rolled from these tobacco leaves and the filler, binder, and wrapper come from various locations on the island. The Cuban government controls all cigar production within the country. Cuban cigar rollers are called torcedores and are thought to be the most skilled in the world, capturing high respect within Cuban society. When Christopher Columbus landed on the island in 1492, he came across tobacco. One year later,  European explorers took it back to their land. Spain was the first European country to embrace smoking, which soon became popular in Turkey, Russia, Japan, and Persia. Tobacco plantations arose in eastern Cuba during the 18th century and spread westward. Natives viewed the tobacco, or cohiba, as a miraculous medicine, using … Read entire article »