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Last post 21 years ago by Slimboli. 5 replies replies.
Bloom vs. Mold
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fretkillr Offline
#1 Posted: Sun, Feb 23 2003, 10:17 PM EST
Joined: 11-30-2008
Posts: 2,579
Sorry for being stupid, but have a question for the group to answer. I actually found a place with quite a few VSG's but upon further review, found that there were many that looked to have mold-like growth on them. The person behind the counter said, nope, that's bloom, and indicates a good seasoning of the cigar.

So here's my question. How can I tell mold vs. bloom by looking at it? Please be as specific as you can. I know it's very difficult describing something very easily illustrated by a visual representation, however, being the new kid on the block, I'd appreciate all the help I can get from you folks who know what you're talking about.

To answer the question you're thinking about, it was not a evenly distributed coating. There were small round areas of the questionable coating over quite a few cigars in the box (but not all of them). The coating was removed reasonably easily by rubbing it off. There was no distinct moldy smell, and to the contrary, the cigars smelled rather good. I'm just concerned that they'd taste terrible, or worse yet, I'd corrupt my humidor by putting any of the lot into the mix.

Nope, I didn't buy any. I figured you kind folks could lead me into the right direction.

Thanks for all your help.

Stuart
daveyg2 Offline
#2 Posted: Sun, Feb 23 2003, 11:38 PM EST
Joined: 04-24-2002
Posts: 288
Hey,

If it was easily rubbed off and it was a white crystaline type substance it is most probably bloom. If it is snuggly attached to the wrapper and seems like it "grew" on it, it is mold. Mold will attach itself to the wrapper and grow there.

Bloom is not always a perfectly even coating. It has its spots where it collects sometimes but it is not a strong and large concentration of it in any spot.

It is probably bloom. Go to Google dot com and look up Mold vs Bloom. You will find some sites that have pics im sure. I think you have nothing to worry about.

I hope I have been clear in my explaination.

Keep em burnin and the brew flowin'

daveyg2
xaigoxx Offline
#3 Posted: Mon, Feb 24 2003, 1:16 AM EST
Joined: 01-01-2000
Posts: 122
take a small container and go to the cigar store. Find all the bloom and flake it off into your container. Buy rolling papers and roll the bloom. SMoke it and then tell us how it is.
eleltea Offline
#4 Posted: Mon, Feb 24 2003, 2:14 AM EST
Joined: 03-03-2002
Posts: 4,562
Mold is ugly and yuchy. Bloom makes the cigar look and feel as if it has been sprinkled with diamond dust. Send me one. If I send it back, it's mold.
Danny Offline
#5 Posted: Mon, Feb 24 2003, 3:50 AM EST
Joined: 06-21-2002
Posts: 613
bloom looks like crystalized sugar and sticks to the wrapper and may give it a kind of oily reflective sheen. mold is clumpy and gathers in spots and rubs off easily. bloom sticks to the wrapper. sorry to disagree with the earlier post. you can do a search on google and you will find web sites that have definitive pictures and descriptions of each. I have never met a tobacco retailer who doesn't say mold is bloom. It's almost an auto response
Slimboli Offline
#6 Posted: Mon, Feb 24 2003, 4:31 AM EST
Joined: 07-09-2000
Posts: 16,139
I did a 'Search the Boards' here, and used 'All Messages' and it came up with almost 50 threads relating to 'Bloom' ...

This is a 'copy and paste' of one of my earlier posts on the subject:

You can just brush off the mold ... I've done it on several occasions, and smoked the cigar ... and it was still OK, if it isn't in the advanced stages.

Mold is hairy looking, and will be slightly greenish/blue in color. Bloom/Plume is whitish dusty crystals that form when the oils are coming out of an aging cigar.

In other words:

Good:

"Bloom" or "Plume" (an extruded oil substance on a cigar) is the obvious result of a chemical reaction going on in a dark, moist atmosphere such as inside your humidor, causing the oils in the cigar leaf to come to the surface.

This fine whitish dust does no harm to the cigars. On the contrary it indicates that the cigar is ageing nicely and may improve in taste.

There is no need for alarm - it is both tasteless and odourless. For the sake of appearance the bloom can easily be removed with a soft cloth, tissue or baby brush.

Bad:

"Mould" or "Mold" depending on whether you use the English or American spelling, is a signal for action. It is evidence that the cigars are being stored in conditions that are too damp and/or too hot. Mold is distinguishable from Bloom by its bluish tint, musty aroma, and (if you smoke them) the moldy taste. You'll recognise the "damp cellar" smell. If you try to brush it off, it leaves marks on the wrapper.

The best action is to separate and remove all the cigars from the humidor. This will allow the humidor to aerate and dry out. You can even wipe the inside with a dry cloth. Once it is clean and dry (check the smell) you may replace the unaffected cigars.

You may be able to rehabilitate and save the moldy cigars but if not, discard them.

Do not put them in with the clean cigars. They can have a seriously detrimental affect on them, ruining your smoking enjoyment.

I use to know where there was some really excellent pictures someone posted of both examples somewhere on the internet ... but I can't seem to find them now. If I do ... I'll post the link.
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