2 lbs Sam's Flake... moldy?

[KinnScience]

Hi, I opened a couple boxes of Sam Gawith "Sam's Flake" today ... I noticed that there seemed to be small spots of a grayish/silverish streaks on the some parts of the surface of the flakes. Both boxes had it ... but then again, I bought them both at the same time. I like this tobacco ... and want to buy more .. but am worried that this might be some kind of mold and don't want to cellar more than the 2 lb's for fear of it going bad. The flakes were pretty dry for Sam's Flake ... so I figure maybe they were a bit old. Then again, they were in plastic wrapped 1 lb boxes .. not tins .. so they are bound to be dryer. Anyway, I also thought that perhaps it could be sugar.

I could put it under a microscope .. but I figured I'd ask here and see if anyone else has noticed this on Bulk Sams flake .. or any other bulk flake. It isn't prevalent .. but there are some spots of it. I guess it could be "sugar", but don't have enough experience with tobacco to recognize this.

[nate560]

I have some sams flake cellard and noticed the same thing and on FVF but both smoke fine nothing werid going on so enjoy.

[Searchlight]

Originally Posted by KinnScience

Hi, I opened a couple boxes of Sam Gawith "Sam's Flake" today ... I noticed that there seemed to be small spots of a grayish/silverish streaks on the some parts of the surface of the flakes. Both boxes had it ... but then again, I bought them both at the same time. I like this tobacco ... and want to buy more .. but am worried that this might be some kind of mold and don't want to cellar more than the 2 lb's for fear of it going bad. The flakes were pretty dry for Sam's Flake ... so I figure maybe they were a bit old. Then again, they were in plastic wrapped 1 lb boxes .. not tins .. so they are bound to be dryer. Anyway, I also thought that perhaps it could be sugar.

I could put it under a microscope .. but I figured I'd ask here and see if anyone else has noticed this on Bulk Sams flake .. or any other bulk flake. It isn't prevalent .. but there are some spots of it. I guess it could be "sugar", but don't have enough experience with tobacco to recognize this.

I've read elsewhere that a bit of mold like that is normal.

[dmkerr]

It's not sugar and it's not mold - probably. I obviously haven't seen what's in your tin but I've seen some crystals that looked like sugar in tins of my own. I actually spoke with a tobacco expert on this some years ago and he did not know what it was but he did know it was neither sugar nor mold. I smoked up the baccy with nary a care and the taste was not impacted.

[brianwalden]

Originally Posted by dmkerr

I actually spoke with a tobacco expert on this some years ago and he did not know what it was but he did know it was neither sugar nor mold.

Is it possible it's maybe something similar to plume on a cigar?

[Cypress]

Do you have any pictures of this? I would be interested in seeing it. Thanks.

[dmkerr]

Originally Posted by brianwalden

Is it possible it's maybe something similar to plume on a cigar?

Your guess is as good as anyone else's. I've asked a few people "in the know" over the years and no one has stepped up with a definitive answer. The only standard response is that it does no harm.

[Mad Hatter]

Originally Posted by dmkerr

Your guess is as good as anyone else's. I've asked a few people "in the know" over the years and no one has stepped up with a definitive answer. The only standard response is that it does no harm.

Amen. This is pretty common with SG flakes. The dryness of SG bulk is also well known and not uncommon.

[Requiem]

My FVF and St. James Flake also develop those white/gray spots... it doesn´t have any nasty odor or flavour.

[Searchlight]

Just remembered where I saw something about mold - it was one of Dubinthedam's videos: YouTube - Pipe tobacco intro part 1

[DSturg369]

I'm sure that the same simple formula for determining what it is for cigars would apply here as well.....

If it looks like fuzz it's mold, if it's "other" it's a good thing.

Even if it is mold, just a few small spots shouldn't affect the taste but I would smoke that tobacco first. As already said, pics would help.

[KinnScience]

Hey thanks so much guys. I really appreciate it. I was worried about the lb's I had .. plus I really wanted to buy more before tomorrow. This group is such a great resource. If I could, I'd buy you all a drink.

I'll see if I can get pics ... I'd have to get out the photo equipment for the scope ... (then again, I'm pretty comfortable with the advice I got so unless someone really needs it...)

[Searchlight]

Originally Posted by KinnScience

Hey thanks so much guys. I really appreciate it. I was worried about the lb's I had .. plus I really wanted to buy more before tomorrow. This group is such a great resource. If I could, I'd buy you all a drink.

I'll see if I can get pics ... I'd have to get out the photo equipment for the scope ... (then again, I'm pretty comfortable with the advice I got so unless someone really needs it...)

I think you should smoke a whole bunch of it, and then if we don't hear from you again we'll know not to do that.

[Vox3l]

YOU'VE ALL BEEN SMOKING AIDS! It's a conspiracy. The government puts it in there and then posts here under the guises of prominent forum members! I'm super cereal!

But really, I've never heard of this! I'd like to see some high res photos if you've a decent camera!

[Vox3l]

YOU'VE ALL BEEN SMOKING AIDS! It's a conspiracy. The government puts it in there and then posts here under the guises of prominent forum members! I'm super cereal!

But really, I've never heard of this! I'd like to see some high res photos if you've a decent camera!