Dust on your cigars?

A cigar question we haven’t discussed for some time is that of the “white spots” on your cigars.
The last blog I wrote on this subject was in 2001.
But the question arose on 2 occasions in the shop recently – time to talk again.

Bloom:
These “white spots” are probably the sign of approval that the cigars have been well made and are ageing nicely. They are the resultant phenomenon of the chemical reaction of the natural oils in the wrapper of the cigar being released through the pores of the leaf into the air, where they dry out into very light spots.
They are tasteless and odourless.
They have no effect on the cigar other than their visibility.
They are Bloom (or Plume) and can be left on, or wiped off with a soft cloth or brush before smoking.
Shine a light on them and they sometimes shimmer, which is why they are also called crystals.
The white spots may indicate that this is the right time to smoke the cigar.

Mould (mold)
Bloom must not be confused with mould (mold) which is a fungal growth resulting from the cigar being stored in excessive warmth and humidity.
Mould is detectable by its “fuzzy” appearance, which can be grey, blue grey or blue green in colour.
When removed it leaves a stain and a mouldy smell.
It can appear on the wrapper or on the filler, showing on the foot of the cigar.

Should you find a case of mould in your cigars you need to take action and treat it seriously.
Isolate the cigars with mould and, to be absolutely safe, destroy them.
There are a multiplicity of moulds, some of which can be harmful to human beings.
Even if dried out they will still taste and smell mouldy.
Why take the chance?

Put the clean cigars in an airtight container without any humidification as they will already be over humidified.
Clean out your humidor with isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol, surgical spirits, etc.) to destroy any mould spores left in the humidor.
Let the humidor air for a day or two then re-humidify it.
Reload the cigars, leaving spaces for air to circulate.

To virtually guarantee a non-recurrence of mould convert your humidification to a Nano bead system, and keep the humidor in a cool place.

You may have missed last month’s offer, so we’re repeating it:

In 2001 there was no Nano technology!
An innovator in humidification products Cigarmony LLC was formed in the United States in 2005, and was granted a patent for this humidification technology only in 2012.

You and your cigars are living in a fortunate era!

No.435 August 16-29, 2018

Note:
By law, no South African citizen, living in South Africa can buy a tobacco product via the internet or postal system.  In fact, you may not receive a tobacco product through the post.
In addition we may not receive payment through the internet for tobacco products.
We may only supply tobacco products within the trade – not to private individuals. The fine is substantial
Contact us for help in getting tobacco to your area.

You can read previous articles from “Across the Counter” in The Library.

PS If you can’t visit a Wesley’s Bricks and Mortar, remember that if you’re not completely happy with your mailsale choice, you can always return it for a full refund.