Mold or Magic ? Something Groweth in the Cellar

[danielplainview]

I bought another cabinet to expand the cellar and while rearranging, found this...
This is 3.5 year old Samuel Gawith Bothy Flake. The tobacco could be a little older, but I date them from the time I receive them, unless the tin is already marked.
So is this mold or is this the magical sugar crystals? This picture was taken through the glass. I don’t plan on cracking the seal until at least the 5 year mark.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Looks like magic to me! Smoke away!

 

[brightleaf]

If you need a tobacco tester I can sample them for you.

I have no credentials or equipment beyond a pipe and lighter, but would be happy to give you my opinion of how it tastes.

 

[jvnshr]

Here we go again. Mold or mould? Plume or bloom? They look amazing by the way, absolutely not mold. Oh wait, plume is also a mold, no no no, plume is the shape of the bloom which is a mold. :nana:

 

[styler]

I once threw away a lot of Rich Dark Flake because I mistakenly thought it was moldy. It still haunts me!
That looks like plume or some other side effect of the ageing process. If it's not raised off the surface of the tobacco then it won't be mold.

 

[bigpond]

It’s a little hard to tell, but I think the answer to both questions is yes. Might want to reshoot outside of the jar. Dunno, looks ok.

 

[mikestanley]

Doesn’t look like anything to worry about.

Mike S.

 

[danielplainview]

Thanks guys. I guess I’ll find out for sure in another 1.5 years.

 

[huntertrw]

"Mold or Magic ? Something Groweth in the Cellar"
The title of this thread reminds me of a short story by the late Ray Bradbury titled "Boys! Raise Giant Mushrooms in Your Cellar!" from his book The Machineries of Joy. Be careful down there dave g, or you may not return!

 

[admiral]

It’s a little hard to tell, but I think the answer to both questions is yes. Might want to reshoot outside of the jar. Dunno, looks ok.

Not hard at all. These look like perfectly ok flakes quietly waiting to be smoked

Nothing to be worried about

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I don't even ever worry about it. If it isn't green and/or fuzzy or smell terrible, then I smoke it. The few times I have had mold, it was blatantly obvious. Otherwise, I smoke it, and I have no health problems,... except for a bad back, ha ha.
On the other hand, I don't think plume necessarily makes a blend more sweet or tasty. I don't get excited. It's just a "thing." However, I usually like what age does to a blend. ::

 

[theloniousmonkfish]

Don't know what the stuff is but if it doesn't smell awful, have fuzz or slime, then I'd smoke it. Only had mold ruin one tin so far, Breckenridge, it was apparent upon opening.

 

[jcsoldit]

I've got 8oz of Stonehaven that has been jarred for 5 years and looks very similar, which I plan on enjoying. Smoke it, I wouldn't hesitate.

 

[jpmcwjr]

I'd be tempted to crack it open and smoke it now.
Just opened a tin of Penzance, and have the same question: mold or bloom?!? It doesn't smell like mold, so that's a good thing. The top half of the flakes have it but the bottom half does not. It was the wettest Esoterica yet, coming in at 94% RH @ 65º. Slowly drying it now.

 

[mawnansmiff]

It looks fine to me, I've had St. James Flake that had the same bloom on it and it was delicious.
I've also had mouldy tobacco (bulk FVF & a tin of BSF) and that looked entirely different.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[gecko13]

@JC

I've got 8oz of Stonehaven that has been jarred for 5 years and looks very similar, which I plan on enjoying. Smoke it, I wouldn't hesitate.

I just opened a 6 year jar Stonehaven, and likewise, mine had a lot of "bloom" similar to the pictures. I'm always paranoid, but it tasted fine. It may be me, but the flavors while much more blended and smooth, seemed much lighter than when was fresher. (I'm coming off being sick, so my taster may still be broken.)

 

[jpmcwjr]

Here's the bloom I found on opening the 2 oz tin of Penzance. It's down from 93% RH to about 75%. No bad smell, so still hopeful.

 

[danielplainview]

@jpm
That looks heavenly. How old is it?
How are you measuring the moisture levels so specifically?

 

[metalheadycigarguy]

Looks like magic to me as well.

 

[metalheadycigarguy]

Looks like magic to me as well.