Spritzing Hydrogen Peroxide on Whole Leaf

[DotAndBang’sPipes]

Any thoughts on spritzing Hydrogen Peroxide on my whole leaf as I put it in long term storage? This patent seems to suggest not only mold protection but also perhaps some flavor benefits: US3889689A - Method of treating tobacco with catalase and hydrogen peroxide - Google Patents - https://patents.google.com/patent/US3889689A/en.

 

[BingBong]

Is the catalase applied separately to the peroxide? Straight peroxide would just "burn" the leaves; a process of catalase first, then peroxide would basically hydrate the leaves and oxygenate. Both substances would need to be forced into the leaves sequentially, I suppose; spritzing would just make the surfaces wet.

You might need to experiment and see what happens.

 

[JoburgB2]

Are you trying to change dark red Virginia to platinum blonde?

 

[anantaandroscoggin]

The very concept of applying H2O2 to leafy vegetables is a bit mind boggling to me. I've seen it applied to an open cut on a person a time or two, but that's it (so far).

I remember when old SciFi novels would have hydrogen peroxide be the fuel used in their world-settings Moon buggies.

 

[BingBong]

Peroxide in abscess story. NSFW

 

[bayareabriar]

I think Home Blenders need to be more aligned with Alchemy. Maybe there is some play on words more clever and wittier folks than me can think of. Nicotiana tabacum Transmuteria

 

[makhorkasmoker]

I smoke whole leaf almost exclusively. I control mold by drying the tobacco to just the point where mold won’t grow. You can store it a long time this way, no problem.

If mold does start to grow, it usually begins on the central rib, which you probably aren’t smoking anyway. If that happens, just dry it out more and the mold growth will stop. No harm done to the smokeable part of the leaf. It’s a useful way of judging case.

So I’d dry it, observe for a while, adjust case if necessary. Then it should be fine.

Those bales of tobacco sold by whole leaf tobacco companies typically sit around a long time—years—before they are divided up and sold. It is aging during that time, usually with minimal mold issues, with nothing added to the tobacco.

 

[DotAndBang’sPipes]

I smoke whole leaf almost exclusively. I control mold by drying the tobacco to just the point where mold won’t grow. You can store it a long time this way, no problem.

If mold does start to grow, it usually begins on the central rib, which you probably aren’t smoking anyway. If that happens, just dry it out more and the mold growth will stop. No harm done to the smokeable part of the leaf. It’s a useful way of judging case.

So I’d dry it, observe for a while, adjust case if necessary. Then it should be fine.

Those bales of tobacco sold by whole leaf tobacco companies typically sit around a long time—years—before they are divided up and sold. It is aging during that time, usually with minimal mold issues, with nothing added to the tobacco.

Thanks so much for this input. Super helpful!