Mold Confirmation

[MattRVA]

Looks a little too much like mold based on the pictures, I’d jar it and see what happens.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

That's the thing about forums. We will always encourage the worst things...
"JUMP. JUMP, JUMP, JUMP..."

 

[sablebrush52]

It's a bit of a puzzler. Because it follows along strata in the flake, much like veins in rock, it looks more like plume to me, rather than mold. On the other hand, some of those spotty shapes look more like mold. My first thought when I saw the first picture was double whammy, plume and mold.
With this sort of thing I follow the adage, when in doubt, throw it out.

 

[Singularis]

seriously? I was gonna toss it on the fire.

Just one man's opinion. I *think* I know enough now to deem all plume to be mold (of some kind), but some may be less offensive than others. E.g. I have been enjoying some 10 year old Stonehaven flake that has what could be "plume", or just mold. It is exquisite. Doesn't look quite like the picture above, but if I had that cake, I'd at least try a bowl for science. I mean, you could even try slicing off the whitish bits and smoke what's left. What's the harm?

 

[sablebrush52]

Just one man's opinion. I *think* I know enough now to deem all plume to be mold (of some kind), but some may be less offensive than others. E.g. I have been enjoying some 10 year old Stonehaven flake that has what could be "plume", or just mold. It is exquisite. Doesn't look quite like the picture above, but if I had that cake, I'd at least try a bowl for science. I mean, you could even try slicing off the whitish bits and smoke what's left. What's the harm?

Slicing off the whitish bits doesn't do anything as the tobacco molds are activated throughout the tobacco, not just where it shows. As for the harm? None, if you don't object to toting around an oxygen tank with you for the short remainder of your life.
From what you described, chances are the Stonehaven had developed plume, which is not uncommon with that blend, not mold. It certainly would not have tasted exquisite.

 

[greeneyes]

It's a bit of a puzzler. Because it follows along strata in the flake, much like veins in rock, it looks more like plume to me, rather than mold. On the other hand, some of those spotty shapes look more like mold. My first thought when I saw the first picture was double whammy, plume and mold.
With this sort of thing I follow the adage, when in doubt, throw it out.

Looks like plume to me as well but I venture a guess that the OP rubbed off what may have been the wispy fungal hyphae, the billowy little threads of a fungus that colonize its substrate. The proof-positive ID may have been rubbed off. If not it could very well be plume along a stratum of particularly saucy tobacco.

 

[bullet08]

Don't trust pictures. I know what mold looks like, and I know what plume looks like. But pictures really don't give definite answer. It's up to you, but if in any doubt.. Dump it.

 

[monty55]

That looks like plume to me as well. If it hissed from the vacuum it was still sealed well.
One way to tell for sure. Do you own a 10x loop? If so, look through that. Mold will be fuzzy, plume crystalline. Difficult to tell with the naked eye.

 

[kcghost]

I think it is mold. Ergo, throw it out.

 

[monty55]

Get a loop.
The problem here is, if it is plume and not mold, and you toss it... that's some really good stuff you just tossed out.

 

[Oddball]

It's exactly as it was in the tin that hissed a little when I opened it. I didn't rub or cut any off.

 

[DotAndBang’sPipes]

A dumb question that I’m sure has been addressed (but one I’m still going to ask): is it possible that it’s just a strange color that the rich aged tobacco has taken on- and neither good plume or bad plume (mold)?

I recently had some aged Dunbar that did not look like mold but also looked rather strange (and not like the plume I’ve seen on Gawith flakes for instance). I put it in the sun for a while (why? I can’t tell you exactly) and then smoked it and it was great.

 

[Oddball]

I don't know! It's a rich, plug that is heavy in Latakia. Def feels like the white is specific to a layer

 

[gervais]

When you look at it close, is it "webby or cottony" looking? Or more granular

 

[Oddball]

I'll check again tonight but it felt like the beginning of mold rather than heavy crystals... that being said, the crystals I have seen have ONLY been on SG flake, and they are subtle but sparkly, like they are frosted in sugar.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Were it mine, I'd smoke it.

 

[Coreios]

I don't even wanna go down this rabbit hole of all plume is mold again.

 

[Briar Tuck]

As for the harm? None, if you don't object to toting around an oxygen tank with you for the short remainder of your life.

Can you please share the case in point of a such a dire outcome from smoking moldy pipe tobacco?

 

[Singularis]

Can you please share the case in point of a such a dire outcome from smoking moldy pipe tobacco?

I'd like to hear the evidence, as well. And this isn't to start food fights, or anything. I have nothing but deep respect for Sablebrush, and for so many on this forum!

Of course, it goes without saying that spores from black mold in your basement can reek havoc on a person's lungs and general health and well-being, but that's from long exposure of a really bad mold problem (as far as I know -- YMMV). And obviously there are some molds that are poisonous, some that are medicine, and some that make food (like cheese) taste better different (or tastier, if that's what you like). The point is, do we know anything about the immediate or long-term effects of puffing on ignited moldy tobacco?

And by the way: I totally get it if you'd rather just stay the heck away from it! Better safe than sorry, but I'd certainly not shy away from it unless it smelled bad or off in some way.

 

[didimauw]

This is tricky. Based on pictures I would call it plume. Also, based on a tin that I recieved a few years back, which is undoubtedly mold.