cigar beetles

[veteranvmb]

Hello to all

I have read that it is better to keep the temps of the humidors below 70 degress F. in order to keep the tobacco bettles from hatching.
Can I assume, that most cigars contain these potential beetles and that when we smoke a cigar, we are also smoking the "sleeping larvae" from these beetles?
Also, can the amount of these sleeping beetles contained in each cigar, be a determinant on how a cigar might differ in taste, even among the same brand and lot of cigars?
Now, I am not queesy about smoking bugs or anything. I have lived in the jungle(we have to say rain forests these days to be PC) and have seen and eaten all kind of bugs in my mess, because we had to eat or starve. LOL
Would extra beetles give the cigar a bit more spice.? LOL
So whats the deal with smoking these beetles?

Much regards Jerry

[rudeJARHEAD]

Jerry

I would think the beetle larvae would give it an earthy/woodsy flavor with a hint of leather maybe, but that could just be my untrained pallate. Seriously though I dont think that there are enough beetle eggs in a single cigar to change/alter the flavor that much. That is my amateur opinion

[veteranvmb]

Semper Fidelis Gunnery Sergeant.
Nice to know you are here. Where are you stationed? Are you still in the Corps?

Much regards Jerry

[bilingue23]

This is an interesting question, i have wondered the same thing. Not to thread jack, but along the same lines, i've always thought about the fact that tons of people touch the cigar that i put in my mouth. Some people would say that could be gross. It's great that they are handmade and everything, but hopefully they are good about washing their hands before they roll a bunch of stogies! If you know what i'm saying. haha.

[veteranvmb]

I know what you are saying about all the hands touching. But I dont think its any different then all the produce we eat, and how many of us, actually wash thoroughly every piece of produce we eat.
What I usually do is give my cigars a good scrub in hot water and soap, and then purell each cigar with three squirts. LOL
There are some things in life you just have to take a chance on I guess.
I am much more carefull know with certain things. When I am in a diner eating, I ask for my beverage in a paper cup, and I put a little water on my utensils and clean them with a napkin. I dont care what anyone thinks, but I my age, I cant afford to even catch a bronchial infection or influenza.
I also watch the servers, to make sure their hands are not touching my food when they bring it. I see servers actually holding cups with their fingers inside the cups or their fingers along side your food on the plate.
Now my wife is a different story. She couldnt care less about these things, and we have had a lot of little spats on these natures. When we come home from the market, before I even put groceries away, I make her(and myself) wash our hands and purell them.
Remember, if you are wheeling a shopping cart around in the market, you are touching the same place hundreds of other people have touched, and sneezed on, and coughed on, and handled meat and then touched, and their kids have coughed on and touched, and anyone else they might have touched.
I am not a germ phobic, I just want to cut down on possiblilites.
One interesting fact, for members who might not be familiar with the military, Is that mess and chow halls have strict sanitary conditions which is the responsibility of a doctor. Do you know what kind of doctor? The veteranarians have always traditionally been in charge of this. So if you are called a dog face, there is some truth to this. LOL


Much regards Jerry

[commonsenseman]

Hmm....interesting question, I would like to think that not every cigar has beetles already in it, but I don't know for sure.

Hopefully someone has an answer for this?

[rudeJARHEAD]

Originally Posted by veteranvmb

Semper Fidelis Gunnery Sergeant.
Nice to know you are here. Where are you stationed? Are you still in the Corps?

Much regards Jerry

Jerry Semper Fi right back atcha! I am currently stationed in Fort Worth, and I will remain in my beloved Corps for another year and retire and make room for some young Devil Dog to take my place.

[veteranvmb]

Are you in Mag41, As you can see by my user name, I was in the Marine Air Wing also. Spent a lot of time, in MCAS Cherry Point. N.C.O. in charge of Ground Defense. I also spent time at West Point as a part time instructor in Ground Defense. An art the Army never really understood or the air force for that matter. Retired as Master Gunnery Sergeant. Pension sucks. My wife has always been a school teacher for special education, and she brings home the bacon.
Air force guys slept well overseas, knowing their perimeters were guarded my us. But then they wouldnt let us use their pools, the movie theatres , gym. And they only did 90 day rotations.
Should of gone that way, My body wouldnt be so worn out now. LOL< LOL

Much regards Jerry

[Blindjimme]

Beetle infestations aren't really common. Yes, they do occur, but most people have heard stories or seen pictures rather than actually hatching a brood of buggies. Are your cigars loaded with unhatched eggs? Not likely but proper storage benefits the taste of the cigar just as much as protection from bugs. My most humble opinion. Anybody who's actually hatched some bugs, post up.

Thanks for your service Rude and Jerry!

[rudeJARHEAD]

Originally Posted by veteranvmb

Are you in Mag41, As you can see by my user name, I was in the Marine Air Wing also. Spent a lot of time, in MCAS Cherry Point. N.C.O. in charge of Ground Defense. I also spent time at West Point as a part time instructor in Ground Defense. An art the Army never really understood or the air force for that matter. Retired as Master Gunnery Sergeant. Pension sucks. My wife has always been a school teacher for special education, and she brings home the bacon.
Air force guys slept well overseas, knowing their perimeters were guarded my us. But then they wouldnt let us use their pools, the movie theatres , gym. And they only did 90 day rotations.
Should of gone that way, My body wouldnt be so worn out now. LOL< LOL

Much regards Jerry

Master Gunns
I was at Cherry Point from 91-95 at MALS 32/14 and again from 99-03 at VMAT-203/NAMTRA as an instructor with a tour at HMX-1 in the middle, I dont think I will ever miss Havelock! I was never stationed with the AF overseas but did have the pleasure of being told that we could not eat in "their" chow hall in Ali a Saleem. I never had chow that tasted so good as to have a chowhall full of Airmen pissed off the that some Jarheads were eating in thier chowhall. LOL

[rudeJARHEAD]

Originally Posted by Blindjimme

Thanks for your service Rude and Jerry!

Thank you kind Sir!

[Sirhuffsalot]

I have read here on Puff that many manufactures go to great lengths to quell any outbreak, with some even irradiating there gars before they get shipped. LOL, That should kill`em.
IMHO, its a issue that is worrisome at best, and rarely a real issue for the millions of smokers out there.

The again, in the end, I put my trust in the man that made the leaf, and also created the beetle.

Cheers.

[Sigarz]

I dont think all cigars have the larvae eggs, some do but those are the minority. just my two cents

[Egis]

Originally Posted by Sigarz

I dont think all cigars have the larvae eggs, some do but those are the minority. just my two cents

Yep your right, most of them don't have them! It's very rare! If it has it, most likely you'll see it! (you know what I mean?)

[Phantom57]

I have discussed this matter with the owner of a relatively small tobacco company. He says beetle eggs are pervasive, and in virtually all tobacco grown. Cubans and others have tried pesticides, freezing, microwaving etc to no avail consistently. Flavoring agents, steaming, and roasting have proven to prevent hatching of the eggs. Over forty years, I have had two beetle outbreaks. One in pipe tobacco, and one in cigars, both when temps were closer to 80 degrees for several days when I was on vacation. I strongly suspect, but do not know, that most are applying something to tobacco nowadays that prevents hatching.