Crystals Ahoy...

[mingc]

I found one of these growing on my Condor Plug. I don't think its a crystal

View attachment 19817

It's delicious sautéd in butter!

 

[smokeyweb]

I’ve heard those “sugar crystals” are actually “salts” from the tobacco’s oil. As grandma used to say: “Lick it and find out!”

 

[wolflarsen]

If anybody has pictures of crystals close up, like more than 10X, please post. I don't believe they exist. If you think I'm wrong, prove it.

This thread has some.

Stonehaven Bloom Under the Microscope :: Pipe Tobacco Discussion

I've had 8oz of Stonehaven aging in a mason jar for just over one year. I visually check on it periodically to ensure all is well, and recently had a concern it was beginning to show mold (you can read about that adventure here). Thankfully, there wasn't any mold, but I did end up taking some...

pipesmagazine.com

 

[mingc]

This thread has some.

Stonehaven Bloom Under the Microscope :: Pipe Tobacco Discussion

I've had 8oz of Stonehaven aging in a mason jar for just over one year. I visually check on it periodically to ensure all is well, and recently had a concern it was beginning to show mold (you can read about that adventure here). Thankfully, there wasn't any mold, but I did end up taking some...

pipesmagazine.com

Good thread, thank you. I now wonder if the spiky structures are unquestionably crystalline or if it is still possible they are organic growths. I never did take microbiology. The long quoted ASP thread within that thread seems like it was written by someone with scientific training and bears closer reading.

 

[Mr.Mike]

Looks like the crystals on some good bud. Not that I would know that.

 

[Gubbins]

If anybody has pictures of crystals close up, like more than 10X, please post. I don't believe they exist. If you think I'm wrong, prove it.

Loved your pics.

Here's some 4 year old Nightcap. I licked it just to be sure.

 

[mingc]

What did it taste like? More seriously, I'd be curious to know if it it dissolves in alcohol or water.

I've just realized, from the ASP thread in the thread that @wolflarsen posted, that there's a wealth of information in ASP from, among others, Greg Pease and others that seem rather well informed. Thankfully, ASP is still accessible for poking around. I'm hoping I can find more info there.

 

[3rdguy]

I just smoke it. If a unicorn walks into the room it was mold.

 

[Gubbins]

What did it taste like? More seriously, I'd be curious to know if it it dissolves in alcohol or water.

I've just realized, from the ASP thread in the thread that @wolflarsen posted, that there's a wealth of information in ASP from, among others, Greg Pease and others that seem rather well informed. Thankfully, ASP is still accessible for poking around. I'm hoping I can find more info there.

I've read through that as well. Very good thread.

I put some pieces in a glass of warm water and the crystals disappeared almost immediately. I put some in a glass of cool water and it took a while but the crystals still went away. Alcohol is not good at dissolving sugar so I didn't try that.

Would be nice if there was a chemist on here or someone who knows a chemist who might be able to test some tobacco.