Esoterica Kingsbridge Fans: Is This Normal?

[alaskanpiper]

Hate to be the guy that posts another plume vs. mold thread, but I’m genuinely stumped. If I had to guess, I’d say it’s ok, but I’ve never seen plume look so white and spotty like this. Also the way the spots are on the inside of the mylar. Just....seems odd, but I don’t see anything that looks fuzzy or stringy.....more, sort of chalky?

Anyone out there have experience with 8oz bags of Kingsbridge? If so, does this look like normal sugar crystallization? Bag has been vacuum sealed for about a year before opening.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Looks like the type of saprophytic fungus that grows on mulch.

 

[dcon]

I don’t know but, I have crystals on Kingsbridge and you can taste the sugar. I am no mold (fungus) expert. I don’t see any fibers that yell mold. I may just be adventurous (or stupid) but I would smoke it.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I don’t see any fibers that yell mold.

That's why I was thinking fungus and not mold.

 

[dcon]

I just perused a couple of scientific abstracts on the subject of fungi and tobacco. The basic synopsis: Fungus is prevalent in all tobacco. Studies show that there is not a measurable difference in the amount found in raw tobacco (in the field) and flue cured tobacco (purchased by consumers). The type of fungus itself is lethal in 79% of cases when injected into mice. The supposition from the abstracts is that, the carried fungus may be responsible for ”second hand smoke” reactions in non-smokers due to allergic reactions. Like most tobacco products, this sounds like it is a use at your own risk story. It, obviously, is in everything we are already smoking.

 

[3rdguy]

If that smelled fine I would smoke it.

 

[3rdguy]

Not the mulch.

 

[rushx9]

I opened a tin of SH Cognac Mixture that was couple years old that looked almost like that... I know Germain's Cavendish can get really crystalcrusty sometimes... anytime I've dealt with mold it was in fuzzy circular splotches and it smelled like mildew. That looks like it might just be an extreme case of the goodness gracious?.

 

[rushx9]

Also, does it vanish or turn into a greasy spot when you touch it? Plume seems to do that.

 

[greeneyes]

Yes it's normal. Mine look like that. Worse even. It's great.

 

[skydog]

If it were me I'd jar it and check it every few weeks. If it grows toss it. If it looks the same in a month or two then I'd smoke it. I've seen similar crystallization like that on certain parts of the tobacco and not others. Doesn't seem like mold to me but better safe than sorry.

 

[greeneyes]

That stuff is also all over my jars too.

 

[greeneyes]

 

[jeff540]

Yes, that's normal for Kingsbridge. I like to think of it as the powdered sugar my grandmother used to sprinkle on home made brownies.

Also, my open Kingsbridge is much darker than that and the white powdery stuff is fairly ubiquitous.

 

[lightmybriar]

I’ve only ever seen that “kind” of stuff in a tin of some aged 1792 Flake, and it definitely was bad. If yours smells alright, I’d think it was probably okay though.

 

[BROBS]

Blackpool gets like that too. smoke it!

 

[alaskanpiper]

Well this has not helped at all, hahaha.

 

[SpookedPiper]

Ok, people...this is some fantastic looking tobacco!

 

[BROBS]

Well this has not helped at all, hahaha.

Was it the mulch?

 

[alaskanpiper]

Was it the mulch?

Haha the mulch was the only thing that brought consensus!

That being said I’m leaning towards smoking it. Most of the yeas seem to have first hand experience, and I have to assume, are not dead.