Method for extraction of tobacco flavors from aged tobacco leaves

Abstract

The present disclosure discusses a method for extracting flavors from tobacco leaves using one or more food grade solvents. In certain embodiments, the food grade solvents are either ethyl acetate, or ethanol, or a mixture of both.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method of extracting tobacco flavors from tobacco plant material comprising:
 immersing tobacco material in a food grade solvent;   wherein the food grade solvent is selected from the group consisting of ethyl acetate and ethanol, and a mixture of ethyl acetate and ethanol.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the food grade solvent is only ethyl acetate. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the food grade solvent is only ethanol. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the food grade solvent is a mixture of ethyl acetate and ethanol. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the tobacco material is immersed for thirty minutes or less. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the food grade solvent is at room temperature. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the food grade solvent is heated to about 60 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the food grade solvent is cooled to about 0 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the ratio of ethyl acetate to ethanol is between 1 to 0 and 0 to 1 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the ratio of ethyl acetate to ethanol is 1 to 1. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the ethanol is 200 proof. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the resulting extract is a liquid having an anhydrous aqueous character. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the method is carried out without addition of any water to the food grade solvent. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the ratio of the tobacco material to the food grade solvent is 1 to 8, by weight. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the method is carried out without addition of any hydrocarbon solvent. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the method is carried out without the addition of any of hexane or toluene or dichloroethane or chloroform or isopropanol or methanol. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising at least partially evaporating the food grade solvent, whereby the resultant extract has a concentrated bolder, but less sweet, flavor.