261 / 272
CIGARS
remedy is to smoke as slowly as possible until the burning
corrects itself. The retention of the ash helps to keep the
smoke cool but, although it should not flake, the length of
the ash will depend on the cutting of the"filler"and not
necessarily on its quality. White ash does not denote the
best cigars, for Havanas produce an ash which is steel-grey
in colour.
The Care and Keeping of Cigars
Choice and expensive cigars, which are made with such
skill and labour, require more care from the people who sell
and smoke them than they often receive. On account of
the sensitive and absorbent quality of the leaf, the}?^ should
be bought and stored in small quantities and kept in a
constant temperature of 60-65 degrees F.; they need just
as much protection from the quick-drying effects of central-
heating as from draughts and smells. They can even
become contaminated by the smell of soap from the hands.
Since too much heat spoils their quality and damp produces
mould, humidors, designed to keep them in perfect
condition, are always a wise investment. In a room where
a number of boxes are to be stored, a cedar-wood cabinet
is essential, for this wood affords the best protection and
yet allows the process of maturing to continue. Cigars
should not be displayed in open boxes and the lids should
be firmly closed after each one has been removed."Green"
cigars, which are freshly packed (Americans, with whom
they are popular, commonly refer to them as"fresh ")
should be kept in aluminium tubes, cellophane wrappings
or glass jars to preserve their moistness.
As long as cigars carry a faint sheen on the surface of the
"wrapper"they are probably in good condition, but if
they are soft to the touch, they are still probably"green"
and, except for those who prefer them in this state, they
need to be kept in the correct conditions for several months.
From the time they are packed in the "green" state,
cigars may take up to a year to reach full maturity. Through
the slight sweating which they undergo during this period,
the contents of some boxes may be found to be covered
with a fine grey powdery deposit called "bloom"; this
261