How Dry is Too Dry?

[Gavrin]

Please capitalize only important words. —jpm

Bear with me here and I hope I am wording this well. I have recently acquired about 12- 1oz packs of tobacco as samplers. I understand that aromatics are “wetter” no issue there. However how dry is to dry? The VA blends seem very dry. Is that how they come? Do they need moisture or am I more use to seeing aromatics that I dont realize these VA blends are in “normal” state? I got them from Smokingpipes.com so I am sure they are fresh! Thanks for tolerating a newbie question.

 

[mso489]

Most tobacco doesn't need to be moist to the touch and often benefits from drying. If you received the one ounce packets recently, I'd go ahead and try them. Unless tobacco has desiccated to dust, it is often better dried out a bit.

 

[WVOldFart]

You haven't been at tobacco collecting long enough to worry about really dry tobacco. Anything you get from the dealers will probably need to dry for at least a few minutes. I like to have an idea of what I'm going to smoke the next day and have it dry overnight. I have never found it to be too dry. I have some very old tobacco that could use a little moisture, but not too much. A good dry tobacco burns better, easier on the mouth and has more taste.

 

[bullet08]

As long as they don't turn to dust when pinched between two fingers, they should be good. Ideally, you want them dry to touch, but not falling apart. Some like them little crispy around the edge.

 

[Morrison Jeremiah]

If it's dry then it's too dry.
Somewhat moist is just right. Packs and tamps better, less harsh, and tastes a lot better.

That's my opinion. It' different from a lot of others opinions.
Experiment and see what works best for you.

 

[Merton]

Dust is unpleasant to smoke. However, too dry is, like beauty, in the eye of the beholder. If you think it is too dry, put a slice of apple or potato into the container. This is what the old timers did and it works. However, do not leave it in more than few days as you run the risk of mold. It also depends on the blend as to how dry is too dry. Experience comes with, well, experience.

 

[eljimmy]

I tried the microwave technique for the first time last night and wow, what a difference that made. I'll try 5 seconds instead of 10 though, it was a little bit too crispy.

 

[Chasing Embers]

How Dry Is Too Dry?

No such thing as too dry with Virginias.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

I had some I was sampling out for around 24 hours in a small bowl and what was left after the first go still out another 24 hours last weekend and it was great each time. It still had “character” but seemed to last much longer and easy to enjoy.

 

[spicy_boiii]

No such thing as too dry with Virginias.

Yep, better too dry than the reverse, my preference at least.

Especially when the Virginia is aged and any assist from the sauce or casing has diminished.

 

[anotherbob]

like asking what's too skinny or fat to be cute. A matter of personal taste really.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Comparing those packets to aromatics which are often cased with propylene glycol will make anything seem dry.

Since you recently got them, they may actually need a bit of drying. In any event, light some up as is and make a decision.

 

[F4RM3R]

All depends on the ambient humidity too. I can leave some blends out for several days in parts on my house and they are excellent to smoke. In a hotter, dryer house or room things could be too dry after several hours.

 

[wayneteipen]

It's too dry if it turns to dust when you handle it or pinch it. If it mostly holds it's form, I smoke it. It will rehydrate as you smoke by absorbing the moisture from combustion. It does loose a little flavor initially but picks up as it rehydrates in my experience. This is especially true with Va's. I type this as I'm smoking some McClelland's 40th Anniversary that's a touch dry. Tastes great after the first 1/8" or so.

 

[cigrmaster]

For me too dry means no bend on the flake but a snap in half texture. I prefer all my flakes to have some moistness in the flake.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

If it feels moist to the touch is a 10 and crumbkes to dust is a 1, I'd say you want it at 2 to 4 with the variation being your personal preference. My preference on that scale is 3 or 4. If it is Flake tobacco, when you bend the Flake in half, it should crack or break. If it doesn't, it's too moist.

 

[jpmcwjr]

True enough, but the addition of PG throws feel into a cocked hat.

OP- Have you smoked some as you got it??

 

[dctune]

Dust is unpleasant to smoke. However, too dry is, like beauty, in the eye of the beholder. If you think it is too dry, put a slice of apple or potato into the container. This is what the old timers did and it works. However, do not leave it in more than few days as you run the risk of mold. It also depends on the blend as to how dry is too dry. Experience comes with, well, experience.

This is an interesting suggestion & one I’ve never heard before. Similarly, I wonder if a square of bread would work? I find this little “hack” a couple years ago for keeping baked cookies from drying out. It works remarkably well. We always throw a slice of bread in the container with our cookies.

Just talking about this…now I’m gonna see if I can wrangle my wife & daughters into baking some peanut butter chocolate chip cookies tonight.

 

[Gavrin]

This is an interesting suggestion & one I’ve never heard before. Similarly, I wonder if a square of bread would work? I find this little “hack” a couple years ago for keeping baked cookies from drying out. It works remarkably well. We always throw a slice of bread in the container with our cookies.

Just talking about this…now I’m gonna see if I can wrangle my wife & daughters into baking some peanut butter chocolate chip cookies tonight.

Like that thinking! What tobacco would you smoke after those cookies?

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I have no idea what blends you are talking about. Obviously, it’s not FVF. But, some come drier than others, so knowing the blend is important.
Also, if you think it’s dry, it sounds like you need to dry it more to me. I like a little crunch to my tobaccos. YMMV