Candela Wrapper Explained: The Green Cigar Leaf That Ruled the US

Take a green cigar out of a humidor and most people do a double-take. A Candela wrapper — also called a double claro — is one of the most visually striking things in the cigar world, and it has a story as interesting as its color. This bright, grassy-green leaf was once the most popular cigar wrapper in the entire United States, before nearly disappearing entirely.

Here's what a Candela wrapper is, why it's green, and what it actually tastes like.

What Is a Candela Wrapper?

Candela is a wrapper shade and production style — not a specific tobacco varietal. The name "Candela" refers to cigars wrapped in a leaf that has been cured in a way that preserves its natural green color.

You'll also hear it called double claro. "Claro" is Spanish for light and refers to one of the palest shades of cigar wrapper. "Double claro" signals that the wrapper goes even lighter — in fact, it skips the usual browning process altogether.

The result is a wrapper that looks genuinely green, ranging from bright apple green to a more muted, olive tone depending on the specific leaf and curing.

Why Is It Green? The Curing Process Explained

Normally, when tobacco is harvested and cured, the chlorophyll in the leaves breaks down — the same process that turns green leaves brown in autumn. The typical curing process for most wrappers takes weeks and involves careful control of heat and humidity.

With Candela, the process is deliberately fast. The leaves are hit with high heat for a very short time — sometimes as little as three days. That rapid curing removes moisture from the leaf before the chlorophyll has time to break down, locking the green color in place.

The result: a wrapper that looks completely unlike any other cigar leaf, and that tastes different too.

What Does a Candela Wrapper Taste Like?

Candela's flavor profile is defined by that preserved chlorophyll. Expect:

• Fresh grass and hay — the most characteristic note, clean and herbal
• Mild sweetness — a gentle, natural sweetness without being sugary
• Light cream — a smooth, soft backdrop to the herbal notes
• Occasional mint or coolness — some smokers notice a faint, refreshing quality
• Very low spice — pepper and earthy notes are nearly absent

The body is almost universally mild to mild-medium. Candela is one of the gentlest, most refreshing smokes in the premium cigar world. If you're used to fuller-bodied blends, it can feel surprisingly delicate — that's the point.

The History: America's Favorite Wrapper

Candela's rise and fall is one of the more fascinating stories in cigar history.

From the late 1950s through the early 1970s, Candela was the dominant wrapper in the United States. Cuban cigar exporters even had a special name for this style: American Market Selection (AMS), because American smokers were so devoted to it. At the peak of its popularity, it was estimated that around 90 percent of U.S. cigar smokers preferred the green wrapper.

When the U.S. imposed its embargo on Cuba in 1962, cigar makers outside Cuba tried to replicate Candela with Dominican tobacco — but the results were noticeably sourer than the old Cuban version, which had a distinctive sweet, almost pineapple-like quality. Smokers began drifting away toward natural-brown and fuller-bodied wrappers.

By the late 1970s, Candela had largely fallen out of fashion. Today it's a niche product, but it's finding a small revival among curious smokers and boutique makers who appreciate its uniqueness.

Candela vs. Other Light Wrappers

Wrapper	Color	Flavor
Candela	Bright green to olive	Grassy, sweet, herbal, mild
Connecticut Shade	Pale golden-tan	Creamy, nutty, mild
Claro	Light tan	Neutral, very mild

Candela is the lightest of the light. While a Connecticut cigar gives you cream and mild sweetness, a Candela goes in a completely different herbal, grassy direction. For a full comparison of wrapper shades from lightest to darkest, cigar wrapper types explained is the place to start.

Which Cigars Use a Candela Wrapper?

True Candela-wrapped cigars are less common than most other types, but some brands have maintained or revived the style:

• CAO Arcana — has explored Candela expressions
• Macanudo Café — historically used Connecticut seed wrappers in a similar light style
• Various boutique releases — several small-batch producers have released Candela lines in recent years

When shopping, look for the words "Candela," "double claro," or sometimes just "green wrapper" on the band or product page.

The Recap

A Candela wrapper is a bright green cigar leaf that gets its distinctive color from a rapid, high-heat curing process that locks chlorophyll in place. It tastes grassy, gently sweet, and herbal — one of the mildest wrapper styles available. It was once the most popular wrapper in America, nearly disappeared after the 1970s, and is now a niche choice for smokers who appreciate its unique, refreshing character.

Keep track of the wrappers you try — including unusual ones like Candela — with the Casa DNC app. It's a good way to map out your own tastes across the full flavor spectrum.