Gitanes

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For the French bicycle manufacturer, see Gitane.

Gitanes, ("gypsy women"), is a popular brand of French cigarettes, sold in many varieties of strengths and packages. It is currently owned by Altadis, having been owned by SEITA before that. Originally rolled with darker or brun (brown) tobacco, in contrast to USA 'blondes', Gitanes is a brand that has continued to develop as smokers' tastes change to prefer a lighter style of cigarette. In honour of the name, the cover sports a silhouette of a Spanish gypsy woman playing the tambourine. The boxes have always featured the colours black, blue and white.

It is important to note the distinction between the "blonde" style of current Gitanes, and the classic style of Gitanes Brunes, both of which are sold in Europe. The classic Gitanes Brunes tobacco achieved its characteristic and distinctive "bite" by using a fire-flued method of curing the tobacco, and a "rice" type of rolling paper which differs from most cigarettes. The result was a cigarette that was both strong in flavor and had a distinctive and pleasing aroma. The effect of smoking an un-filtered "brun" Gitanes may be likened to drinking a cup of espresso, in that the taste was dark and bitter, but also extremely pleasant.

The "blonde" version appeals to the smoker who prefers a milder and more American style of blend. Gitanes Blondes are available, filtered, in Light and Regular. The Gitanes Brunes are available in 70mm versions, filtered and un-filtered. While the Gitanes Brunes package is artistic, bringing romantic images of a classic French cigarette, the Blondes packaging is rather pedestrian.

Production in France recently halted, with one factory remaining operational in the Netherlands. This is mainly due to the rise on tobacco levies imposed by the French government in the wake of health advice, which has forced the price of French cigarettes up to the level of those from the USA, with the more aggressively promoted brands such as Marlboro now taking the majority market share. This step seems to solidify the end of the preference for this harsher dark tobacco, in favor of the milder flavor of American Virginia and Burley blends. Gitanes has therefore found its place in the market with their milder "Blonde" blends which have little resemblance to the classic Gitanes. Gitanes are no longer available in the USA and have therefore left many smokers of this classic cigarette in dismay.

Gitanes Maïs (corn) are made with yellow corn paper.

1 History
2 Varieties
3 References
4 See also

[edit] History

1910: First appearance of Gitanes, without a filter, in four versions.
1918: First appearance of Gitanes Maïs, which are a success in rural areas.
1956: Appearance of the first Gitane filter.
1981: "Light" versions are first marketed.
1986: First Blondes launched, and are a failure.
1988: First appearance of extra light versions
1991: Gitanes ultra light are introduced.
1990/91: simultaneous launch of a new version of Blondes with ultra light.
1999: Merger of SEITA and Spanish Tabacalera gives birth to Altadis, current producer of Gitanes