Leaf Shades



Double Claro: Very light, slightly greenish (also called Candela, American Market Selection or jade); achieved by picking leaves before maturity and drying quickly, the color coming from retained green chlorophyll; formerly popular, now rare.

Claro: Very light tan or yellowish. Indicative of shade-grown tobacco.

Colorado Claro: Medium brown, includes Natural and English Market Selection.

Colorado: Distinctive reddish-brown (also called Rosado or Corojo).

Colorado Maduro: Darker brown; often associated with African wrapper from Cameroon, and Honduran or Nicaraguan grown wrapper from Cuban seed.

Maduro: Very dark brown or black; primarily grown in Connecticut, Mexico, Nicaragua and Brazil.

Oscuro: Very black, (also called Double Maduro), often oily in appearance; has become more popular in the 2000s; mainly grown in Cuba, Nicaragua, Brazil, Mexico, and Connecticut, USA.