Hertz Flavors - An introduction to kretek cigarettes

[HERTZ FLAVORS GMBH & CO. KG - 29.01.2014] Under the Label "Tjap Bal Tiga", the kretek cigarette started it's legend in Indonesia. During a particular period of time almost 10 Million hand-rolled Bal Tiga kretek cigarettes were produced daily.

Nowadays the kretek industry is a high-tech, modern and up-to-date tobacco sector. The newest filter kreteks (low tar) are major, best-selling products and icons in the industry in Indonesia. The content of cloves therein is smaller and modified with clove flavours.

The two other important categories of kretek products, which are available in the market, are Sigaret Kretek Tangan (Hand-Rolled-Kreteks) and Sigaret Kretek Mesin (Machine-Rolled-Kreteks).

Generally, several components are needed for a kretek product design:

1. Tobacco Blends
2. Clove Blends
3. Casings
4. Top Flavours

Kreteks contain numerous exotic flavourings and Eugenol, which mostly comes from the clove portion in the blend as well as additions of clove oils. Casings and Casing Flavours have an important role to refine the tobacco blends, which may include up to 30 different grades of tobacco and several clove blends. They are well known as "sauce" and give the cigarette together with the Top Flavour it's particular brand distinctive taste.

In addition, taste enhancing flavourings and additives are being used for the improvement of the taste in the manufacturing processes.

Hertz Flavors is an independent, privately owned company located near Hamburg, Germany. Dedicated to the tobacco industry, Hertz Flavors has established itself as a leading, premium brand for unique flavours for various kretek brands. Our striving for excellence and customer satisfaction with the help of our extensive flavour expertise and market knowledge results in flavours that make the difference. More Information about Hertz Flavors.