Tobacco Drying

[Z.Kramer]

Originally Posted by RJpuffs

A footnote on Ziplock bags and storage/aging/drying of baccy. I've read here, there, and elsewhere - "real" ziplock bags (not the generic grocery chain knockoffs) are great but are not truly "air-tight". Assuming the seams and zip seal are working (i.e. use NEW bags, not reused after storing your kids halloween candy). Air molecules DO pass through the plastic sheet as the particles are small enough. Hence aging will not occur in a ziplock bag. However, water molecules do NOT pass thru as they are fatter (like me). Hence, moisture level will stay constant within the bag. In a perfect universe.

In reality, seams and zips do give way over time/use. So moisture will in fact seep in/out. Double bagging only insures against one of the bags failing, it does not improve the overall porous nature of the plastic. Zippy-doo-dahs are great for short term storage, convenient, cheap, easy to handle. But thats the extent of their function.

And another note on the "bulk bags" sold, such as Stonehaven. These are laminated - layers of different materials are used to provide both moisture retention - AND air-tightness. Its not a simple plastic or foil wrapper, some brain work went into their creation.

Why does the movement of air molecules mean that aging does not occur?

[RJpuffs]

Originally Posted by Z.Kramer

Why does the movement of air molecules mean that aging does not occur?

"Aging" of tobacco is the process of the sugars in the leaf being broken down (munched on) by microbes. Aerobic (oxygen breathing) microbes work slower, while anaerobic (CO2 breathing) microbes work much better. Hence, air circulation keeps the O2 dudes alive and they work like postal carriers, slow, imperceptible progress. Once the container is sealed, after a few months the oxygen is depleted and the anaerobic fellas munch on the baccy as well as their dead O2 brethren, working faster like fedex. Which as we all know, is faster than snail mail

Well aged baccy has a "sugary" coating of teeny tiny crystals. Good stuff!

Mold is fuzzy, bad stuff.