| Food is preserved through refrigeration. Leather is | | | | is usually used as a cigar humidor's interior. |
| kept supple and shiny through regular conditioning. | | | | Seasoning Humidor |
| The mummies of ancient Egypt were preserved by | | | | Why should you season your cigar humidor? Well, |
| being rubbed with special oils and then wrapped in | | | | seasoning gives the humidor an atmosphere akin to |
| cloth. But how do you preserve your pricey, | | | | the tropical weather where the majority of cigars are |
| hard-to-come by Cuban cigars? Why, with the use of | | | | produced. To season humidors, follow these carefully |
| a humidor, of course! A humidor is used to control | | | | and step by step: |
| how much humidity surrounds cigars and other | | | | 1. Soak a new sponge in distilled water. Do not use |
| tobacco products. | | | | soap or scents. Additionally, do not use tap water |
| Not Just Another Box | | | | because it contains minerals that could damage the |
| At first glance, a cigar humidor may look like an | | | | humidor. |
| ordinary box. Made of wood, its interior is often | | | | 2. Wipe all of the exposed wood. This includes the |
| carved out of beautiful Spanish cedar. A humidor is | | | | inside lid and the dividers. Make sure not to use a |
| far from being just another box, however. While | | | | fraying cloth or paper towels because these could |
| mainly utilized as storage, it may also be used for | | | | damage the wood. |
| maintaining and aging cigars. It may even be used as | | | | 3. Spray the sponge with additional distilled water. |
| furniture or a valuable family heirloom that is passed | | | | Then, put it inside the cigar humidor, on top of a |
| from one generation to the next. | | | | plastic bag. The plastic bag is necessary because it |
| The Perfect Humidity | | | | keeps the sponge from touching the wood directly. |
| The ideal humidity range for storing cigars is 68% to | | | | 4. After the humidifying tool is filled, it must be wiped |
| 72%. This is at room temperature, which is usually | | | | down. Then, for about half an hour, it should rest on |
| about 68-77 degrees Fahrenheit. A humidor typically | | | | a hand towel. |
| includes a hygrometer to measure how much | | | | 5. With the wet sponge and the humidifying tool |
| humidity is inside the box. Then, it maintains its | | | | inside, close the humidor lid and let it sit overnight. |
| optimal range of humidity by inserting or removing | | | | 6. The following day, refresh the humidifying tool. |
| moisture on the inside. | | | | Also, if the sponge is only somewhat dry, more |
| The Time to Season | | | | distilled water must be added. |
| So, you bought yourself or your friend a humidor. | | | | 7. Let the humidor sit for another evening. |
| Should you immediately stash your cigars inside it? | | | | Afterwards, take out the plastic bag and sponge. |
| The answer is no. New humidors and humidors that | | | | In a world where cigars are as prized as jewelry, |
| have not been used for a long period of time must | | | | South American cigars are the Roles Royce of |
| first be seasoned. A humidor adds humidity to the | | | | tobacco products. Keep your cigars well-protected |
| cigars' environment. If you were to skip this step, the | | | | inside a seasoned cigar humidor to ensure that your |
| cigars would dry out because the wood would | | | | investment will not go up in smoke. |
| absorb their moisture. As previously mentioned, cedar | | | | |