Tobacco Dryness

[tedvig]

I find that unless my tobacco is really dry, it seems to bother my tongue. I sip some, puff others. I always try to smoke as slowly as possible. If the moisture level is too high, I get tongue bite. Are there others of you who experience this the same way?

 

[nsfisher]

Just about everyone who ever lit a pipe mate. You are not alone!

 

[brian64]

In my experience, I'd say every blend I've tried smokes better when dried out a bit. I always spread a bowl full amount or so out on a paper plate and allow to dry for a while before packing.

 

[bigvan]

It definitely BURNS better, but I think it loses flavor when it's crunchy. I've never had the need to dry out tobacco.

 

[tedvig]

Fair enough. Just wanted to make sure it wasn't just me. Thanks all!

 

[pstlpkr]

Everyone has their preferences.

I like my AROs to be a bit moist, and my Lats to be somewhat dry.

But, there is one I love a dry as tinder... Grousemoor.

Seems to bring out the flavors IMHO.

::

 

[captainbob]

Dryer is better than wetter. But, the extremes either way are not good in my opinion. I use the clump test. If I pinch tobacco between my thumb and first finger very hard and it falls apart, too dry. If it clumps easily and stays together, too wet. If it barely clumps together, just right. Now, that is just my opinion and method. Whatever works for you comfortably is the best for you!

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[nsfisher]

After about 10 yrs, you can tell the moisture content while you are loading your bowl mate.

 

[tedvig]

I'm getting there. I have yet to figure out what might be too dry. Also I think especially when I first started, Icouldn't figure out why on earth the stuff would be packaged so wet.

 

[slowpuffer]

As a general rule, I like my tobacco bone dry. I find it smokes a lot cooler, stays lit easier, tastes better, and doesn't bite. However, you do have to find the right balance with some tobaccos. Some cased tobaccos to taste a little better with a little more moisture in them. I'm an extreme case though and I find I am willing to sacrifice a little bit of flavor for a better smoking tobacco. The reason? Those relights can fry the tongue and render the bowl tasteless anyway!
One caveat: Only dry out a few bowls at once. You want to smoke it dry, but store it moist!

 

[robdlouisville]

Excellent - I also like mine a bit on the dry side. Gotta try Captain Bob's pinch test.