After fermentation, the leaves are now sorted for their purpose in becoming a Cuban cigar. They are sorted by size, color and texture.
Wrapper leaves, which are the most important, get the closest attention. First they are moistened and aired to prepare them for handling. Then they are classified into about fifty different categories. Any leaf below a certain standard is rejected and set aside for other purposes. No leaves are thrown away.
Sun-grown leaves are sorted into three categories of flavor that come together in the blending of the filler: "ligero", "seco" and "volado". Leaves picked from the lower levels of the plant supply the lighter-flavored volado (also termed Fortaleza 1) and the largest and best of these are selected as binders. Leaves from the middle provide the medium-flavored seco (Fortaleza 2). Leaves from the top provide the fuller-flavored ligero (Fortaleza 3).
Some of these leaves that don’t pass inspection at this stage are used for lower standards of Cuban cigars and cigarettes.
The wrapper leaves are thin and only need one fermentation, so once sorted and rested, these wrappers are now packed in bales and transferred to the warehouse where they will be left to age.
Sun-grown leaves however requires further attention.