Four main types are identified according to the method of curing (drying):

• Flue-cured - also known as "flue-cured Virginia", or just "Virginia", after the US State where this method of curing using artificial heat was first propounded, and "Bright" because of its lustre and colour.
• Air-cured - which includes burley, cigar and light and dark air-cured tobaccos. It is cured in ambient air with minimal artificial control of humidity.
• Fire-cured - this type is cured by a similar process to flue-cured, except that heat is supplied by open smouldering fires to give the product its characteristic smoked aroma and flavor.
• Sun-cured - oriental tobaccos belong to this type. Their strong flavor and taste is developed in the first phase of curing and then retained by drying leaves outside in the sun.

To achieve their individual characteristics, each type also needs to be grown in the right soils and climate, be managed correctly and cured according to its specific method. This is illustrated by the following comparisons between flue-cured Virginia, burley and oriental, the main types used in cigarette manufacture.