Humidor

A humidor (Latin humidus, wet '), most humidors, is a fabricated from wood or other materials, container, stored in the cigars. Humidors are equipped with a humidification system, which should stabilize the relative humidity within the recommended range 68-75 %. If the humidity is too high, mold can form easily in the humidification system ( sponge and distilled water) and the cigars. At lower humidity to the cigars will dry out and become brittle as a result, received an unpleasant biting taste.

A good humidor is distinguished primarily by the fact that he can keep a constant (tropical ) humidity inside. So the cigars retain their full flavor and can also be stored for years.

The not necessarily airtight closing boxes are usually referred to with the "Spanish cedar " wood of the West Indies Zedrele ( Cedrela odorata ) knocked out, which supports the one hand, the ripening and flavor development of a cigar, and on the other hand keeps pests such as mites and tobacco beetles.

The wood of the Spanish cedar also helps to keep the humidity inside the humidor constant because this wood can absorb moisture very well. The humidity is also ensured by humidification. They are based on either sponges or acrylic polymers and release the moisture absorbed slowly into the environment. To display the humidity using a hygrometer. The humidity in humidors can also be adjusted with an electric humidifier that is controlled by a humidistat.

Of additives in the water should be avoided. A cigar is a natural product and all accessories would absorb it. You should be so conditioned as in their country of origin.

So cigars can be stored unattended for years. It is recommended to keep the cigars in their little box, so do not mix the different flavors in the humidor. The usually requires a larger humidor, as seen in the picture on the right.

The size of humidors ranging from small travel humidor on smaller boxes and cabinets to large, walk-in humidor ( air space ) in cigar stores.

Humidors need to be prepared before use, so that the inner wood can absorb moisture (see image ). This process takes a few days.

Are a humidor and its contents become too dry, the flavor of the cigar may have taken permanent damage. However, a revival in the smoke- enabled state is possible within certain limits. However, it should be observed that the process of rewetting must be done very slowly, because the cigars are otherwise physically damaged and permanently.

Not all cigars need to be kept moist. Many short filler, just Tubos, can go for weeks stored at 20 ° C without degradation. For Cuban cigars or similar (usually long filler ), however, a humidor is a prerequisite. For interim storage you can build with some euro cost of materials even a humidor, which keeps the cigars fresh to the consumer or to storage in a "real " humidor.