How to store pipe tobacco

How to store pipe tobacco: tips for maintaining freshness and quality

To taste and appreciate tobacco at its best, it needs to have the right moisture content.

A tobacco that is too dry tends to burn very quickly, lose much of its aroma and turn to dust during its preparation, before loading it into the tobacco pipe.

In the opposite case, i.e., a very moist tobacco, you may have some difficulty lighting it and get unpleasant aromas when tasting it, due to the presence of water.

For these reasons, every pipe smoker must know how to store tobacco: let's see together how to do it properly!

The ideal storage conditions for pipe tobacco

First of all, the ideal humidity for most pipe tobaccos is around 12-18%.

In order to store pipe tobacco, it is necessary to place it inside special airtight containers and not leave it exposed to sunlight, so that it will have a longer life and avoid loss of aroma and taste.

There are many containers suitable for tobacco storage, such as ceramic jars with gaskets and sponges, which allow the moisture inside to be changed.

These are also available in different materials: wood, with a choice of various woods, and aluminum, often equipped with a hygrometer.

Aluminum containers are definitely preferable to plexiglas ones, because the latter, being transparent, are more vulnerable to the action of sunlight.

Bormioli jars are widely used by pipe smokers because of their excellent effectiveness.

Many tobacco tins, being vacuum-sealed, can be used to store tobacco so that no harm is done if consumed some time after its purchase.

Clearly, the best degree of moisture is relative: each smoker has his or her own approach; in fact, there are as many admirers of moist tobacco and as many of dry tobacco.

An example of very moist tobaccos is the Samuel Gawiths, which are highly valued because of their higher degree of moisture than the average of other tobaccos.

Finally, pipe holders very often contain a latex sheath inside, which ensures that the freshness and moisture of the tobacco is maintained.

Pipe tobacco storage: What not to do

Let us now see what absolutely must not be done to store pipe tobacco.

You should never put the tobacco in contact with water to rewet it, as this will only promote the formation of mold.

If you use humidifying stones, always check that these are not in direct contact with the tobacco.

Also, although vacuum tins exist, most are not suitable for tobacco storage.

A rather common practice in the past was to store tobacco with portions of spirits and liquors by spraying or dipping the tobacco inside them.

Obviously, this will neither increase the moisture nor change the taste of the tobacco, while it will only vary the smell.

In the old days, people used to moisten tobacco with apple and orange peels: in this case, however, you should expect a different tobacco aroma.

Finally, we always advise against mixing different types of tobacco, but, rather, always store them in separate containers, as it only produces a mixture of aromas and flavors that can ruin your smoking experience.