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Storing Cigars - Humidors are used to store and protect cigars so that they are kept at their peak flavor. A humidor works by keeping a cigar at a constant temperature, somewhere between 68 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and about 70-72% humidity. A good humidor should close completely, with a tight fitting lid that will keep the cigars well kept from the elements, preventing any exchange of moisture. The seams should be smooth and well-fitted for cigars. Cedar, especially Spanish cedar is ideal for the interior of the humidor. Of course, make certain your brand of cigars fits well into any humidor you are considering to purchase. Should you store cigars with or without cellophane This is a subject of controversy among cigar smokers. Manufacturers wrap their cigars in cellophane to protect the delicate wrappers during shipment. Some experts claim that cigars will breathe better and age more quickly if stored without the cellophane wrapper. Whether you take the wrapper on or off is a matter of preference. Cellophane is porous and will allow your cigars to age. They will also help your cigars maintain their humidity. Keeping the cellophane on is a good idea if you travel with your humidor or if you open your humidor very frequently. Some like to leave the cellophane on to limit the exchange between different tastes and aromas inside the humidor.
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Humidor seasoning tips - There are two ways to season your humidor. You can wipe the entire inside of the humidor with distilled water, then wet a clean sponge with distilled water and place the sponge on a Ziploc bag inside of the humidor. Close the lid, and leave the sponge in the humidor overnight, then remove the sponge and bag and you are ready to fill your humidor with cigars. Or you can place a small dish or cup with distilled water in your humidifier, close the lid, and leave overnight, then remove the cup with distilled water, and you are ready to store your cigars in your humidifier.
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How to calibrate your hygrometers - The hygrometer indicates the humidity percentage in the humidor. If you have a digital hygrometer, no worries, it's ready to go, just place inside your humidor. If you have an analog hygrometer, it needs to be set before starting to use. Place unit in a wet cloth (moistened with tap water and rung out) for ½ hour. The hygrometer should then read 95-100%. If the unit does not read 95-100%, you can adjust the unit on the back with a small screwdriver. Return the unit to the humidor and allow 2 hours to reset. This procedure should be repeated every 6 months.
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Difference between mold and plume - Mold can grow on cigars like it can on anything that is too moist. On a cigar, it is a greenish-grayish color that cannot be scraped off with your nail. Plume, or bloom, on the other hand, is a crystalline grayish white and looks like specks on a cigar. If you rub them or scrape them with your nail - they disappear. Plume is the natural byproduct of an aged cigar. Some of the cigars oils are secreted and create those lovely crystals - the sign of a very nicely kept cigar.
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