Backwoods blunts are the status symbol of the smoking scene. Ask any rapper worth their salt, and they'll tell you they go for Backwoods blunts. It might be because they're the most expensive, because they hold a ton of weed, or because rolling them is seen as something of an art form. If you've never heard of Backwoods cigars, you may be wondering what all the fuss is about. Let's check out how to roll a Backwoods blunt, and some of the pros and cons of this particular product.
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What's a Backwoods?
Backwoods is a brand of cigar that comes in a huge variety of flavors and package sizes at most gas stations and smoke shops across the country. The main thing that sets them apart (besides their price premium) is the fact that they're made from natural tobacco that somewhat resembles a Fronto leaf. They are softer than your average cigarillo wrap, and because they're made from a full leaf, you have to be careful of the veins when unwrapping and re-rolling them. These wraps also deliver a much harsher and nicotine-carrying hit, so watch out when you puff on one!
Since they're made of tobacco leaf, they also carry the same health risks that apply to any tobacco product. Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable illness and death in the United States, and should not be used by anyone under legal age, or anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding.
How to Roll a Backwoods Blunt
If you're still with us and itching to learn how to roll one of these bad boys for yourself, this is what you'll need to make it happen:
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- A Backwoods cigar
- At least one gram of cannabis
- Steaming hot water
A rolling tray is also highly suggested, since you'll be dumping out the old tobacco contents as well as filling up the shell with loose marijuana. Until you get the hang of it, this can be a bit of a mess! But thankfully, the steps are quite simple as long as you apply a little finesse.
Grind
Grinding your weed is a crucial step to rolling a Backwoods, since the soft leaf is susceptible to tears from errant stems and seeds. Be sure you're using only buds, and grind them finely. You'll want to use at least a full gram of bud to make a nice fat blunt. Anything less will look oddly skinny and throw off the ratio of tobacco leaf to weed, making for an unpleasant flavor. I find that a gram and a half produces a big blunt, without it being too massive.
Moisten & Unwrap
This is where the steaming water comes in. Hold your Backwoods over a pot of steaming water and spin it rotisserie style to loosen up the leaf. As soon as you feel it beginning to unseal, you can begin unrolling the leaf and separating it from the tobacco. Go slowly, to ensure that each newly exposed bit of leaf gets the moisture from the steam. It's crucial not to rip the leaf now, since that will make rolling it back up much more difficult.
Of course, the old-school way skips the steam altogether and calls for a gross amount of saliva to moisten the leaf instead. Be sure you haven't smoked before attempting this, because cottonmouth will really throw a wrench in things!
Re-Roll
Once the leaf is all the way unwrapped, the tobacco will fall out easily. At this point, you need to moisten the inside of the leaf as well (which means a lot more spit if you're going all natural). Once thoroughly softened, you can evenly arrange your cannabis in the wrap. Use a methodical roll, tighten, and roll strategy, pressing down with your thumbs to tighten before rolling gently. Don't get frustrated if it seems to be taking forever! It's not your imagination, there's a lot of finesse that goes into learning how to roll a Backwoods blunt to perfection.
Finishing
A proper seal ensures your blunt stays rolled, and that involves yet more moisture. So steam that baby up again, or prepare to lick the whole outside of your blunt. The last thing to do is let it dry for at least five minutes so everything sets.
While the steps are simple, it takes a bit of experimentation to get used to the unique texture and rolling quirks of these wraps. Give them a go and you just might see why they're such a favorite.
