"It says nothing stays forever. But still, some things can be prolonged, so does the quality of a cigar."
The keyword here is "humidification". This word is not to be brought into connection with wetness but air humidity. The method of humidification does not only influence the quality of a cigar, it also has a pecuniary aspect.
One buys and/or builds a stock usually when the favourite brand is on sale. Cigars should be stored at approx. 70% air humidity and a temperature of 20oC.
A cigar that is too dry is getting hot while smoking, burns fast and unevenly while another that is too humid creates difficulties when it is being lit, and even more with a puff. In any case you will not have the smoking pleasure you deserve.
From:
Richard Carleton Hecker,
The World of Cigars, The art of their creation and the enjoyment of smoking
Published by Wilhelm Heyne Verlag, Munich
Why humidification of cigars?
Tobacco is a hydrophilic (water-friendly) material; i.e. it can absorb and dispose humidity. Cigars come from a very hot and humid climate.
In our degrees of latitude, it is necessary to add humidity. This means that cigars, which are stored at constant air humidity, maintain their quality and value.
Therefore, the right air humidity has the same importance for the quality level of a cigar as for example, the tobacco or the rolling.
Too low air humidity makes a cigar brittle and dry. The consequence is that the cover leaf will tear off, the cigar will burn too fast and the taste materials are not really developing.
Therefore, a constant air humidity of approx. 70% is important for a cigar.
Which humidification system is the right one?
When choosing a humidification system it is especially important that it is working with the so-called evaporation principle. Such a system creates evaporation for the largest possible humid surface.
The humidity is disposed like gas into the air, and parts of it such as minerals or calcareous deposits stay in the surface medium. This avoids sediments on the cigars.
What else do I have to consider?
• Circulation
The circulation of humidity is important for the storage of cigars. Because all cigars should be humidified evenly, it is important to make sure that there is air circulation with a ventilator especially in storage boards or rooms.
• Evaporation performance
To create a 70% air humidity, a large enough humidification surface should be available. The larger the filters surface, the higher the evaporation performance.
• Water tank
The water tank of an air humidifier should have such dimensions that it has to be refilled not more often than every other week.
• Control of humidification
The humidification system should be equipped with a hydrostatic meter (humidity regulator) to keep the air humidity controlled on a constant level.
Do I have to cool?
This question has to be clarified individually. We suggest a temperature of approx. 20° – 22° C.
Here it is important, that the cooling is an opponent to the humidification because it has a dehumidifying effect. If air-cooling is necessary, both systems need to be adjusted to each other.
