Cigar Capitol/Dictionary/Tobacco & Leaf/Libre de Pie

Libre de Pie

/ LEE-breh deh pee-EH /
Tobacco & LeafCuban Spanish
Definition
The bottom priming, literally free of the foot, meaning the leaves nearest the ground. Harvested first, they are thin, sandy, often damaged, and grade as volado.
Why it matters
This priming sets the harvest clock: once libre de pie comes off, the field is on a schedule of passes every few days up the stalk.
In context
"Rain had spattered soil on the libre de pie, so half of it was culled before it ever reached the barn."
Related terms
Uno y MedioVoladoHarvest PassesPriming