Mold vs crystallization?

TaylorJDutton

I hopened my EMP jar today and saw this. Are the little white spots mold? Or crystallization on the leaves? I can’t tell so for now i won’t be smoking it

Kmhartle

I can't be certain, but I thought crystallization was more common with high sugar content? How long has it been jarred? 

Charles

Hard to tell but it might be crystallization. Usually, if the tobacco is moldy, it will smell like mold.  If that's the case, dump the tobacco, clean and sterilize the jar and check the rest of you supply.  If your tobacco is stored in a damp moldy area, chances are mold will form. 

TaylorJDutton

I got the tin a few months ago, but when it came the paper was already stained from aging. @Kmhartle

@Charles  it still smelled like early morning pipe, and none of my other tobaccos have anything remotely similar

thebadgerpiper

I think it looks like crystallization, but I'd say maybe seal the jar and store it away for a month or so and see what it does. If it spreads and looks fuzzy, then it's mold. If it's not fuzzy, then it's most likely crystallization. I've only had one blend mold on me, and it was obvious from the mason jar.

Charles

@TaylorJDutton, here is some additional information:

https://pipesmokersforum.com › Forums › Forums › Pipe Tobacco

pipesmagazine.com › Pipes Magazine › Pipe Tobacco Discussion

https://dutchpipesmoker.wordpress.com/tag/sugar-crystals/

PappyJoe

@TaylorJDutton  If it still smells like EMP then it's crystals. Mold will smell. I would only worry about other jars if they were packed and sealed at the same time. It's a little hard for mold to spread from one sealed jar to another without some other factor being involved.

TaylorJDutton

@PappyJoe it still smells like EMP, thanks!  and @thebadgerpiper i did just that, so im going to be safe and give it a month like you said.

Thanks all!

thebadgerpiper

@TaylorJDutton It's better to be safe than sorry if you're not sure. On the plus side, if it isn't mold, then you've at least put a month of aging on the blend.

Charles

Sometimes pipe tobaccos develop plume like some cigars do.    Plume is the sign of a well-aged tobacco.  If your smokes show a covering of crystalline powder, you can either leave it or just brush off the powdery residue before smoking. Cigars made from oily tobacco tend to produce plume when the tobacco has matured and developed in flavor.  Some oily pipe tobaccos also produce the same.  These offer the best flavor as the tobaccos are at their best and most developed.  So smoke some and enjoy the tobacco!

TaylorJDutton

@Charles if its plume i will be excited, i already love EMP, so if thats a possibility thatd be pretty cool

ghostsofpompeii

The first time I learned about mold vs crystallization was from a video by Muttnchops Piper.

TaylorJDutton

@ghostsofpompeii i follow him on YouTube, I’ll give it a look!