Origins Of Cigars

The history of cigars dates back thousands of years, with deep roots in the rich indigenous cultures of the Americas. The ancient Mayans are believed to have invented cigars as early as 2500 BC, utilizing tobacco for various medicinal purposes and smoking it in a primitive yet significant form. The word "cigar" likely originated from the Mayan word "sikar," which translates to "to smoke rolled tobacco leaves."

When Christopher Columbus landed in the Bahamas in 1492, he encountered indigenous people engaging in the act of smoking tobacco rolled in large green leaves. This introduction of tobacco to Europeans marked a vital and significant turning point in cigar history and its global proliferation. By the early 16th century, cigars gained considerable popularity in Europe, particularly in Spain and Portugal, where they became a fashionable pastime. Tobacco cultivation began in earnest in 1531 on the islands of Hispaniola and Santo Domingo, and it was during this period that the very first cigar factory was established in Cuba in 1542. Cuba emerged as a significant hub for cigar production during the 19th century, with its rich soil and favorable climate contributing to the high quality of tobacco grown there.

The Spanish galleon San Clemente brought valuable tobacco seeds to the Philippines in 1592, where high-quality tobacco plants thrived, establishing a new region for production. In North America, tobacco suitable for cigars was first cultivated in Windsor, Connecticut, around the year 1640. The 19th century marked a transformative era with the industrialization of cigar production, as the invention of cigar-rolling machines made cigars significantly more affordable and accessible to the general public. By 1860, there were nearly 1,500 cigar factories operating throughout the United States. Cigars evolved into a symbol of wealth and luxury, particularly Cuban cigars, which garnered worldwide fame for their exceptional quality. The late 19th century also witnessed the establishment of iconic Cuban cigar brands that are still renowned and cherished to this day.