Taking care of cigars is actually a relatively complex process. Made of tobacco leaves, they are essentially an organic product that is sensitive to environmental factors. In order to maintain the integrity of the cigar and make sure it doesn’t get dried out or damaged, there are a number of safeguards you can put in place.
For those of you who have seen the old cardboard cigar boxes, or maybe even used them to store knick-knacks around your home, those containers never were designed to be long-term storage receptacles and were likely sealed tightly if and when they did contain cigars. Unless you plan to smoke cigars within a few days, you need a solution to keep them fresh. A sealed plastic bag with a damp paper towel may suffice for a day or so in a pinch, but storing cigars over the long-term requires a more sophisticated process.
Humidors are a necessity to preserve cigars for a long period of time. Essentially, a humidor is an apparatus that controls both the temperature and humidity, while simultaneously managing airflow. There is a strict balance that keeps cigars from drying out, getting mouldy, or even suffering an infestation of tobacco beetles. A humidor is able to mirror the conditions in which tobacco is cultivated. The temperature should range between 68 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, with the humidity hovering between 70 and 75 percent. Spanish cedar is the material of choice thanks to its ability to absorb and radiate humidity.
There are a variety of sizes and quality of humidors on the market. Some aficionados even build rooms to accommodate their collection. Your personal preferences and cigar habits will likely dictate how extravagant you are with your purchase. If you have a variety of brands, you will need to be cognizant of the potential for aromas to intermingle and set up your humidor accordingly. Finer cigars can improve with age, so you want to ensure you have an elite set-up to protect your investment for several years.
If you are so enamoured of cigars that you are tinkering with the idea of building an online business, not only are you going to have to make sure your inventory is secure, but you will need to understand how to mail the product as well. Aside from researching both the regulatory and tax implications involved with shipping cigars, and finding a cigar merchant processor willing to facilitate customer payments, you have to develop a foolproof delivery method to ensure your merchandise arrives in mint condition.
Cigars are delicate and can easily get banged up in transit, so you have to make sure they are well protected. More importantly, you have to consider the temperature and humidity factor. The use of shrink wrap to vacuum seal the cigars is a feasible technique. Another route is to incorporate water pillows in the packaging, devices which create enough humidity to keep cigars from drying out during their journey.
Nurturing cigars until you are ready to use them is an art in of itself. Regardless of the seemingly high maintenance aspect, most people who appreciate the cigar element find it to be a pleasurable pastime that allows them to bond with their friends.
