Cigarros de Palha
 

It looks like a cigaret, 
but it isn't.
It is also different from a cigar.
If you like to smoke now and then, you probably like it.

So we will tell you some facts.
 
 
 
The name
It is Brazilian tobacco rolled in a corn leaf, called 'palha de milho'.
A tube of corn leaf, instead of paper, bonded with a plastic ring.
They are sometimes called 'palheiro' and they are the farmers' cigarets. Now they found their way to the big city. 
Pronounciation: seegahoh dje pahljah.

 
 
The origin
The largest quantity of the Cigarros de Palha are being produced in the state of Minas Gerais, in central Brazil.
Cigarros da Palha are folclore here, but the biggest consumption is in the state of São Paulo.
The cigarros are also produced in Rio Grande do Sul, Paraná, São Paulo and Goiás.

 

The brands
Souza Paiol is the most famous producer, and has various types.
From the 100 brandnames that you can encounter in Brazil, most will be produced at this company.
They started in 1998 and already produce millions of them !

The packaging
Some packages look handmade, but they aren't.
The cigarros however are handmade like cigars.
Handworkers wrap 1000-2000 cigarros per day, earning 12 real per 1000.
The cigaro costs 2 real (about a dollar) per pack of 20.
 
The way to smoke
If you are a regular smoker, do not think that the cigarros are the healthy alternative. Although completely natural, these cigarros contain nicotine and tar as well.
But they might change your smoking habits. You can smoke it like a cigar, so without inhaling.
The cigarro lasts much longer than a cigaret.