Plume vs mold - from facebook

[grumpybaldy]

Green blotches can sometimes be water marks

Probably frog-eyes caused by excess moisture and so affecting the fermentation process. Nothing to worry about but might be worth putting a pic up if you're worried.

Thanks, that's reassuring.

[the pondering moose]

Have to say I disagree and that is mould to my eye, albeit untrained.

Be it mould or plume, if it brushes off, is it actually a problem? Plenty of things we buy deliberately have a mould content, or acquire mould naturally and are still fit for consumption.

By all accounts you can scrape the mould off a yogurt and eat the remainder, so long as there has been continuous refrigeration - ergo, if you can give a stick a brush down, it's probably okay. People seem to be doing it and there's no suggestion of galloping "mouldy tongue" amongst BOTL and SOTL.

As to an ungoogleable cigar sommelier, I call BS on that for sure

[RobBooth]

Be it mould or plume, if it brushes off, is it actually a problem? Plenty of things we buy deliberately have a mould content, or acquire mould naturally and are still fit for consumption.

By all accounts you can scrape the mould off a yogurt and eat the remainder, so long as there has been continuous refrigeration - ergo, if you can give a stick a brush down, it's probably okay. People seem to be doing it and there's no suggestion of galloping "mouldy tongue" amongst BOTL and SOTL.

As to an ungoogleable cigar sommelier, I call BS on that for sure

AFAIK the problem is the inhalation of mould spores and them getting into your lungs. It's one thing to eat a culture that is meant for consumption in a mouldy state or is known not to have a detrimental effect if it's past its best. It's another to take something into your system which could affect your breathing.

[Shaun]

Be it mould or plume, if it brushes off, is it actually a problem? Plenty of things we buy deliberately have a mould content, or acquire mould naturally and are still fit for consumption.

By all accounts you can scrape the mould off a yogurt and eat the remainder, so long as there has been continuous refrigeration - ergo, if you can give a stick a brush down, it's probably okay. People seem to be doing it and there's no suggestion of galloping "mouldy tongue" amongst BOTL and SOTL.

As to an ungoogleable cigar sommelier, I call BS on that for sure

The problem is when it goes inside the cigar you cant rub it off, so if its on the foot then its best to chuck it away. When your smoking a cigar you dont want the flavor to be tainted by burning mold either, and some types of mold are actually harmful. This white mold seems to be the easiest to deal with it usually just wipes off.

[RobBooth]

The problem is when it goes inside the cigar you cant rub it off, so if its on the foot then its best to chuck it away. When your smoking a cigar you dont want the flavor to be tainted by burning mold either, and some types of mold are actually harmful. This white mold seems to be the easiest to deal with it usually just wipes off.

Exactly. You could pair it back, cutting at the foot until you're sure (as you can be) that you've gotten rid of the mould. The only way to be sure is to ditch it.

[the pondering moose]

AFAIK the problem is the inhalation of mould spores and them getting into your lungs. It's one thing to eat a culture that is meant for consumption in a mouldy state or is known not to have a detrimental effect if it's past its best. It's another to take something into your system which could affect your breathing.

A very fair point. It definitely seems like a "more microbiology needed" area. With greater thought (to whit walking back to my car just now...), you don't seem to hear about pipe tobacco "plume" (though I concede the storage criteria for it are slightly different), and if I found a faint fuzz on any of mine I'd immediately be considering what I'd done wrong, and the fact it was now ruined.

I just had a look at the pictures in the linked article, and whilst I admit to not having been behind a microscope in about fifteen years, and having somewhat different training, I would say those "plumes" look more like hyphae/mycelium than micro-crystalline structures.

[Shaun]

you don't seem to hear about pipe tobacco "plume" (though I concede the storage criteria for it are slightly different)

I think (and im no expert..>!) that 'plume' occurs after a long time in storage in the ideal conditions for the oils in the cigar to crystallize on the surface. The cigars in the first image are from a 2013 box so it says on facebook, probably still far too young to have any real 'plume' developing.

[dvickery]

https://www.cgarsltd.co.uk/cigar-lib..._or_mould.html

My Gob is smacked lol

wellllll ... any respect I ever had for Mitch just got flushed .

derrek

[cj121]

Is there any indication as to which branch these were at?

[ValeTudoGuy]

wellllll ... any respect I ever had for Mitch just got flushed .

derrek

Just slightly off topic, regardless of what anyone thinks of the opinions in the topic in this thread. I can assure you that Mitch is worthy of respect, he responds to queries extremely quickly at all times which is a credit to his work ethic, I have known him go way way above and beyond in an attempt to resolve complaints, I personally asked him to donate towards a charity on this forum and he absolutely blew me away with his unquestioning generosity even when he was quite literally half the world away. Then there is also the fact he will ensure the hospitality in his establishments is exceptional as he has done for Cigarmo and Myself in the past.

I don't kiss anyones arse and will often shoot it how I see it...... But Mitch has never given me any reason to think he is anything other than a gent.

[Simon Bolivar]

I have just shown the LGC pic to my 24yo daughter, who has a MSC & before I even asked the question, she stated, 'it's mould!' I asked her to consider it carefully & she replied, 'it's still mould.' I showed my wife who know's nothing about cigars & she said it's mould. So apparently it's pretty bleeding obvious!

[the pondering moose]

I can assure you that Mitch is worthy of respect, he responds to queries extremely quickly at all times which is a credit to his work ethic........ But Mitch has never given me any reason to think he is anything other than a gent.

Here here. Regardless of debate ongoing here, I also have the greatest respect for Mitch. I was so surprised when I asked a question and got an email back from the head honcho. The fact he runs a tight yet friendly ship must mean he's doing things right.

[dvickery]

Just slightly off topic, regardless of what anyone thinks of the opinions in the topic in this thread. I can assure you that Mitch is worthy of respect, he responds to queries extremely quickly at all times which is a credit to his work ethic, I have known him go way way above and beyond in an attempt to resolve complaints, I personally asked him to donate towards a charity on this forum and he absolutely blew me away with his unquestioning generosity even when he was quite literally half the world away. Then there is also the fact he will ensure the hospitality in his establishments is exceptional as he has done for Cigarmo and Myself in the past.

I don't kiss anyones arse and will often shoot it how I see it...... But Mitch has never given me any reason to think he is anything other than a gent.

I have no doubt Mitch is all of the above ... and he sponsors this website ... so I will just keep my opinion .

sorry I shot from the hip .

derrek

[ValeTudoGuy]

[MENTION=13407655]dvickery[/MENTION]
The way I see it, nobody ever has to be sorry for shooting from the hip.... So long as they stay open to alternative views.

It's all good, opions keep the world interesting.

[akyprianou]

Another plume picture from Facebook today...

The guy was adamant and it was quite a fruity thread.

Wow thats madness! like its been dug out of a snow pit!