The present invention relates to a method for providing a reconstituted tobacco material. The method includes contacting tobacco material dispersed in a liquid having an aqueous character with a humectant or binding agent or both under high shear mixing conditions at a temperature of at least about 35.degree. C. to provide a mixture. The mixture is then contacted with a pectin release agent, preferably at a pH of about 5 to about 9, while maintaining the high shear mixing conditions to provide a tobacco material having released tobacco pectins. Preferably, the tobacco material having released tobacco pectins is then formed into a predetermined shape and subjected to conditions sufficient to cause the released tobacco pectins to undergo crosslinking.