Table of Contents Table of Contents
Previous Page  261 / 272 Next Page
Information
Show Menu
Previous Page 261 / 272 Next Page
Page Background

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