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As a cigar person, you know the joy of a perfectly preserved collection. But what if your prized cigars faced a sneaky, destructive foe—cigar mold? This menace isn’t as rare as you’d hope and can strike anyone, from novices to seasoned collectors. Stay ahead of the threat and keep your cigars in pristine condition!

Cigar mold often stems from improper storage, but the good news is that it’s entirely preventable. By understanding the causes, learning how to identify it, and taking steps to stop it in its tracks, you can ensure your cigars remain in top-notch condition. Whether you’re a seasoned aficionado or new to collecting, these tips will help you maintain your cigars’ quality and keep mold at bay.

What Causes Mold on Cigars?

Mold develops when cigars’ surroundings become too damp, warm, or poorly ventilated. Cigars are organic products, and as with any organic matter, they easily develop mold if not stored correctly.

Several factors can lead to cigar mold:

• Humidity above 72%: Mold thrives in overly humid environments.
• Improperly maintained humidors: Dirty or neglected storage conditions provide a breeding ground for mold.
• Excess moisture in humidification devices: Overfilled humidifiers release too much water.
• Poor air circulation: Stagnant air can cause concentrated humidity in specific areas.

Maintaining a clean and balanced storage environment is key to preventing mold. A good-quality hygrometer is essential for monitoring humidity levels in your humidor.

Can I Save a Moldy Cigar?

A moldy cigar is not something to be happy to find; however, it is useful to know that sometimes it can be restored. If you can determine how much the cigar has been affected by mold and how it has been handled, you’ll know if it’s possible to save the cigar or if it is beyond recovery.

First, let’s separate the mold from the bloom (or ‘plume’ as that term is sometimes used as well). Cigar mold is usually green or white and forms fuzz-like patches, whereas bloom is a white powder that is perfectly harmless and is often confused with mold. You should respond to the sight of mold as fast as possible.

Start by carefully removing the cigar from the humidor. Use a soft cloth or brush to remove the mold. Refrain from using water since it might destroy the cigar. Leave the cigar in a cool, dry area for some hours before trying it out. If it is still moist, then it might be dead.

Scientific tests show that it grows in humidity over 70%. Keeping the humidor at a moisture level between 65-70% and 70F will prevent subsequent growth.

If you have multiple moldy cigars, it’s essential to thoroughly clean your humidor before storing new cigars to avoid contamination.

What is the White Fuzz on My Cigars?

If you have also seen white fluff on your cigars, relax-it is probably blooming and not mold. Cigar bloom occurs naturally. One often mistakes it for mold, but cigar bloom does no harm-it’s a good indicator of an aged, quality cigar. The fine, powdery white fuzz is a coating of essential oils and resins extracted from the cigar wrapper as these oils settle with time. This is usually common with cigars that have been stored in acceptable conditions.

Bloom forms because oils in the cigar’s tobacco leaf migrate to the surface and crystallize. The product is a thin, white powder that does not affect the taste or smoking.

On the other hand, mold is an entirely different issue. As mentioned, Mold on cigars appears as fuzzy, green, or white spots and can be harmful. It thrives in high-humidity conditions, often over 70% relative humidity. To avoid mold, ensure your humidor is maintained between 65% and 70% humidity.

Cigar Mold vs Plume

Cigar collectors should know the difference between cigar mold and bloom. Both appear as the same white powdery substance on the surface of your cigars, but they are very different in nature and effect.

Cigar mold typically presents as fuzzy, green, or white spots. It is indicative of too much moisture and improper storage conditions. It thrives where the humidity is too high, usually above 70%, and can ruin the flavor of your cigar. If you notice mold, discard the cigar immediately because it may spread and contaminate other cigars in your humidor.

Contrary to it, plume, or cigar bloom, is a natural, harmless phenomenon due to the crystallization of oils from the tobacco leaf on the cigar’s surface, creating a fine white powder. Plume is an indicator of well-aged cigars; it is observable on cigars stored in optimal conditions and kept properly at (65%-70% humidity).

Here’s how to differentiate them:

Spotting plume is a good sign—it means your cigars are aging well and are ready to offer a richer, more nuanced smoking experience.

Is It OK to Smoke a Cigar with Mold?

Don’t smoke a moldy cigar. Even though you would want to save a moldy cigar from getting wasted, this can damage your health as well as the experience of smoking the cigar. Cigar mold looks like fluffy, green, or white patches. It likes environments with higher humidity, which can easily be 70% plus. It occurs improperly in cigars, which might affect their taste and safety.

The primary issue with smoking a moldy cigar is the health risk. Mold can produce mycotoxins, harmful substances that may cause respiratory issues, allergies, or other health problems if inhaled. The risk is especially significant for people with respiratory conditions, weakened immune systems, or allergies. In addition, moldy cigars often develop an unpleasant, musty flavor that will significantly affect your smoking experience.

If the cigar has mold, you must toss it away immediately. In this case, inspect all other cigars you possess and clean out your humidor to prevent mold from spreading and infecting the cigars.

What Happens if You Smoke a Moldy Cigar?

Smoking a moldy cigar is not only unpleasant but can also pose health risks. Here’s what can happen if you smoke a cigar mold:

• Health Risks: Mold inside cigars can cause mycotoxins, which are dangerous when inhaled. These toxins will disturb your lungs, increase respiratory problems, and even provoke allergic reactions, especially for people with asthma or defective immune systems.
• Unpleasant Flavor: Cigar mold ruins the taste of a cigar. It gives the cigar a musty, stale flavor, and no amount of seasoning will mask the off-putting taste.
• Increased Risk of Infection: Smoking a moldy cigar can increase the risk of infections for those with compromised immune systems. Mold spores can be inhaled into the lungs, potentially causing severe health complications, such as fungal infections.
• Harm to the Humidor: If the mold spreads to other cigars in your humidor, it may spoil an entire collection. Mold loves humid conditions; therefore, proper humidity should be maintained in the humidor to avoid mold growth.
• Worsened Smoking Experience: Even in ignoring the adverse health effects, a moldy cigar will eventually cause a worse smoking experience. The smoke emitted is harsh and terrible, turning a moment intended to be exciting into a frustrating experience.

Discarding moldy cigars and cleaning your humidor thoroughly to avoid these risks is best.

How Do You Get Mold Out of Cigars?

If you spot mold on cigars, it’s important to act quickly to prevent the mold from spreading to other cigars in your humidor. Here’s how to handle it:

• Remove the Moldy Cigar: The best way to deal with a moldy cigar is to discard it. Mold can contaminate other cigars, so it’s essential to remove it immediately.
• Clean Your Humidor: Empty your humidor and thoroughly clean it with a mild water solution and rubbing alcohol to kill any remaining spores. Be sure to wipe down all surfaces, including shelves and the lid.
• Inspect Other Cigars: Check other cigars for signs of mold. If you spot mold on other cigars, remove and dispose of them.
• Adjust Humidity Levels: To prevent mold from returning, ensure your humidor is maintained at 65%-70% humidity. Too high humidity encourages mold growth, so monitor and adjust accordingly.

Final Thoughts

Can cigars get moldy? Yes, but with proper care, it’s entirely avoidable. Mold is a sign of storage issues that can be addressed with vigilance and the right tools. Maintaining a clean, well-balanced humidor is essential for preserving the quality of your cigars.

If you ever encounter mold, act quickly to salvage what you can and prevent further spread. And remember, not everything white on your cigars is bad—plume is a sign of proper aging and adds to the cigar’s allure. Get personalized tips and expert solutions at  Mozsly to preserve the perfect cigar experience.