Frequently Asked Questions for Humidors

Q6: How can I tell the difference between plume and mold?

A: First some definitions.

Plume is a light, whitish layer of fuzz that can develop on cigars as they age in a humidor. Plume doesn't hurt cigars and is actually a sign that they're aging properly. Mold can ruin cigars and is a sign that the air in the humidor is too warm and/or humid. It has a bluish tint and tends to develop in spots rather than evenly across the surface of a cigar, as plume does.

Physical appearance aside, the easiest way to determine what's growing on your cigars is to apply the "rub test." Using your finger, try to rub the material off. If it flakes off it's plume, if it doesn't it's mold.

This is a reprint of the article in the "Tip of the Week" section of the website
of Cigar Aficionado ( www.cigaraficionado.com ) in the week of November 09, 1999.