The variety grown in the
tobacco producing area of the Gümüşhacıköy district, of the Black Sea region. İt
grows on the gently sloping fields of the hilly countryside, and far away from the sea
coast. It is well known for its pleasant aroma which can even be noticed the tobacco is
still in the field. The name of this tobacco is derived from the Turkish word "basmak"
(to press) i.e, overlapping leaves of the "pastals" (a kind of bundle) are pressed
together by hand so that they stick to each other.
The Basma variety has
sessile, small sized leaves being broader of their upper half. Their lamina is directly
attached to the main stalk and their texture is moderately thick, elastic, soft and
durable. They give the feeling of velvet when touched. Their colour is light yellow,
yellow and light red, their surface is way and the edges of the leaf are laced. Their
taste is mild, sweet and aromatic. They are used especially to give fragrance and
sweetness to the blends. These tobaccos have a good combustibility and moderate
hygroscopicity as well as filling capacity. Nicotine content amounts to approx. 1%.
The main elements of the
physical structure of the soil where these tobaccos are grown have come into existence
through the accumulation of loamy soils in the low valleys and due to the fractination of
calcareous or basilitic rocks. The top soil is reddish brown or pale brown in colour and
consists out of clay-loams is granular. Friable, calcareous in character and medium in
depth.
Average temperature during
the growing stage is 19.7º C, total rainfall 96.9 mm. and average relative humidity 58 %.
These tobaccos are only
grown in the limited areas of Gümüşhacıköy. Gümüş, Maden and Ovacık.
Farmers bale their processed tobacco in
pastals (sıra pastal) and in the Rumeli method, each bale weighing approximately 15-25
kgs. depending on the size of the leaves. After processing commercial bales are
made in the form of small tongas which 25 kgs. each...