How to Stop Tobacco from Aging?

[Butter Side Down]

Title edited for caps and brevity.

I know this is probably going to seem backwards to a lot of you, but there are a few blends that I've discovered that I like better when they're new (specifically VAs that lean towards bright VA, and most Lat blends). Unfortunately several of my favorites are hard to come by, so I feel compelled to try to keep a small stock whenever I'm lucky enough to score some.

So when I'm lucky enough to jump on a drop, is there any way to stop (or slow) aging so it'll stay closer to its original flavor profile?

 

[Sig]

I know this is probably going to seem backwards to a lot of you, but there are a few blends that I've discovered that I like better when they're new (specifically VAs that lean towards bright VA, and most Lat blends). Unfortunately several of my favorites are hard to come by, so I feel compelled to try to keep a small stock whenever I'm lucky enough to score some.

So when I'm lucky enough to jump on a drop, is there any way to stop (or slow) aging so it'll stay closer to its original flavor profile?

Vacuum seal your jars.
Plastic bags will react with your tobacco over time.
Tobacco needs a tiny bit of oxygen to age, its an oxidation process.
If you suck all the oxygen out, it has none to oxidize.

 

[Scottmi]

Well... not being a food technologist or anything like that I'd welcome any critiques: I'd go with argon if I wanted to really do it right. Open the tin, dump in a mason jar, purge the air with argon and seal it up. Then store in a nice cool dark place.

 

[Butter Side Down]

Well... not being a food technologist or anything like that I'd welcome any critiques: I'd go with argon if I wanted to really do it right. Open the tin, dump in a mason jar, purge the air with argon and seal it up. Then store in a nice cool dark place.

I definitely appreciate the scientific approach, but there are several areas where this might exceed my current equipment and abilities.

 

[jpberg]

Well... not being a food technologist or anything like that I'd welcome any critiques: I'd go with argon if I wanted to really do it right. Open the tin, dump in a mason jar, purge the air with argon and seal it up. Then store in a nice cool dark place.

Argon purge is definitely the right answer.

 

[Bbailey324]

I wonder what effect freezing would have on tobacco? Cold would certainly reduce diffusion and reaction rates. I'm not sure if ice crystal formation would cause damage since there is water content in the leaf. It might be minimal.

I like the Ar purge idea although there would still be O2 hanging around.

 

[Non-Mentholated Black Man]

I definitely appreciate the scientific approach, but there are several areas where this might exceed my current equipment and abilities.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) cylinders/canisters are readily available for a few dollars.
Other than a cylinder and a jar/lid, the only equipment necessary would be a nail.

 

[Servant King]

Does SP or TP offer argon in their accessories section? Asking for a friend.

 

[sablebrush52]

The Barling family ALWAYS stored their tobacco in Argon filled containers.

Truth!

 

[lestrout]

The ageing of tobacco actually involves two processes, which occur in succession, which in turn involves two kinds of 'bugs': the first phase involves oxygen using bacteria/fungi. Then when the oxygen in the sealed container is used up, then the anaerobic bacteria/fungi get their turn. They're the ones that turn compounds in the tobacco to sugars, etc. I gather they're the ones that provide the flavors cellarers seek. Opening the sealed container admits air and interrupts this ageing process.
So removing the air via vacuum or flushing it out with an insert gas would presumably put the tobacco into stage two. I suppose you could slow things down by cooling everything off.

 

[Architeuthis]

If you want it to remain as close to fresh as possible, you want to vacuum seal and keep in a cool, dark place. Also, separate it out into small quantities so that you can smoke it relatively quickly once you open it. I've never tried vacuum sealing and freezing, but lots of people do that with their special coffee beans.

 

[kcghost]

Argon is the best way I suppose but most people wouldn't think of that. You could try stuffing as much tobacco in the jar as it would hold, then purge the air as best you and vacuum seal the jars.

 

[VDL_Piper]

Argon for sure......get it from your local welding store/supplier.

 

[Sigmund]

I wanna stop aging too (but not the hard way).

 

[AJL67]

Smoke it all immediately.

 

[dingdong]

We're all getting old and older, tobacco notwithstanding.. so burn it baby

 

[dingdong]

I wanna stop aging too (but not the hard way).

Can use engine brake when going downhill but impossible to do with automatic if nothing else worked usually some trees around to stop you

 

[BrightDarkEyes]

Smoke it all immediately.

Agreed.

 

[Terry Lennox]

If you want it to remain as close to fresh as possible, you want to vacuum seal and keep in a cool, dark place. Also, separate it out into small quantities so that you can smoke it relatively quickly once you open it. I've never tried vacuum sealing and freezing, but lots of people do that with their special coffee beans.

Agree with this. I have not used a vacuum food sealer myself but I have heard from people who do that the tobacco did not age the way they had hoped and were disappointed. You may like the result of very little change. Also agree that small jars or smaller containers/amounts are good because the biggest change comes when you open it after years sealed up. Within days the leaf can change color and flavor.
I actually love my Germains made Balkan and English blends fresh. The only reason I cellar them is fear of unavailability. Cheers.

 

[georged]

Be sure to mix & toss your tobacco in a bowl with this stuff, salad-style, before putting in mason jars: