Quote Originally Posted by cbr310 View Post
Is there just a straight latika I can get? I just wanted to try is pure. I'm figuring out that I like them and I think with perquie. I believe that's what's in midnight ride. Orientals aren't bad either. Any suggestions to keep an eye out on would be great.
Hi Matt,

There are two areas that prepare Latakia, Cyprus and Syria. Syrian latakia isn't (readily) available so you're going to encounter Cypriot in almost all cases.

Starting in the 1970s, smoked tar was used to shorten the processing time of latakia and today it seems to be prevalent. The result is a stronger and less transparent taste that burns hotter and with more edge. In blending some old formulas, I need to use less tar processed latakia and I jar the mixture in a decanted state (with some oxygen) to soften and marry the flavors, otherwise it's quite harsh and overwhelms the other leaf. I purchased this in bulk and use no more than 25% in a mixture and that makes for a full latakia blend. Tar processed latakia is sticky to the touch.

Traditionally, latakia was a dark, near black but often mottled leaf that feels dry and not sticky. If you held it to a light it would be translucent. It's exceptionally cool burning, has (virtually) no bite and has a cleaner, more transparent taste. Cypriot latakia processed without tar is similar to the taste and characteristics associated with Syrian latakia but it's not quite as smooth and it has a little more edge. I prefer Cyprot not tar processed.

Gawith Hoggarth Mixture #12 claims to be 45% latakia. It's Cypriot, unprocessed, and I don't believe them . Nice mixture, very smooth and cool, but it simply doesn't taste like it has anywhere near that much latakia. Gawith Hoggarth also sells bulk latakia. I'll tell you what kind it is (I expect the same as in Mixture 12) and how it blends after it arrives and I use it.

Pete