If you’re a cigar aficionado, you know that humidity plays a crucial role in the preservation and enjoyment of your beloved cigars. But what is the best humidity level for cigars? Is it a matter of personal preference, or is there a science behind it?
Finding the perfect humidity level for your cigars is an essential part of cigar maintenance. It’s crucial to understand the science behind humidity and how it affects your cigars to ensure that they remain in optimal condition. In this article, we’ll explore the different factors that influence the ideal humidity level for cigars and help you make an informed decision.
What Is Humidity?
Humidity is the amount of water vapor present in the air. It is measured in relative humidity (RH), which is a percentage of the maximum amount of water vapor that air can hold at a given temperature. A higher RH means there is more moisture in the air, while a lower RH indicates dryer air. Relative Humidity typically ranges from 0 to 100%.
Relative humidity is the most important factor when it comes to storing cigars. Too much or too little humidity can drastically impact the taste and aroma of your cigars.
What Is The Best Humidity For Cigars?
The best humidity for cigars is 70% relative humidity. This is the ideal level of moisture in the air to ensure that your cigars remain in peak condition and retain their flavor and aroma over time.
At 70%, the relative humidity is high enough to prevent mold growth, but not so high that it will dry out the cigars. This level also helps to keep the oils and flavors intact, allowing them to age gracefully while maintaining their quality.
Benefits Of Properly Storing Cigars At The Right Humidity Levels
Storing cigars at the right humidity levels can have many benefits. The most important is that it helps maintain the flavor, aroma, and overall quality of your cigars. When stored in an environment with a relative humidity of 70%, cigars will remain fresh and flavorful for much longer than they would in a dryer or more humid environment. Properly stored cigars will also burn evenly and produce a good draw.
In addition to preserving the flavor, proper humidity levels also helps protect your cigars from swelling, warping, cracking, and splitting.
The Right Humidity Is Crucial During The Aging Process
Aging cigars is a delicate process that requires the perfect humidity levels. When cigars are placed in an optimal environment with a relative humidity of 70%, they can age gracefully without losing flavor or aroma.
This will allow them to develop complexity and depth over time, creating a truly unique smoking experience. Aging your cigars at the right humidity level will also ensure that they remain fresh and flavorful for as long as possible.
Proper Humidification Is Necessary For Long-Term Storage
If you plan on storing your cigars for an extended period of time, proper humidification is necessary.
Storing cigars in a proper environment with the right humidity will help preserve their flavor, aroma, and overall quality for much longer than if they were stored in a dry or overly humid environment. This will also help prevent mold growth and keep your cigars at peak condition until you’re ready to enjoy them.
Measuring humidity for cigars
Digital Hygrometers
Digital hygrometers are a great way to accurately measure the humidity levels of your cigars. These devices allow you to quickly and easily monitor the relative humidity in your humidor or cigar storage area, ensuring that your cigars remain at the optimal 70% RH level. Digital hygrometers typically feature an easy-to-read LCD display with a range of 0 to 100%, giving you a clear indication of the current humidity levels.
Analog Hygrometers
Analog hygrometers are a more traditional method of measuring relative humidity. These devices feature two connected components: a thermometer and a hygrometer. The thermometer measures the temperature of the air while the hygrometer measures the humidity levels.
When combined, they provide an accurate reading of the relative humidity in your cigar storage area. While analog hygrometers are not as accurate as digital hygrometers, they are still a reliable way to monitor the humidity levels of your cigars.
Factors To Consider When Maintaining Optimal Cigar Humidity Levels
Optimal Temperature For Storing Cigars
The optimal temperature for storing cigars is between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. While this range is considered ideal, it’s important to note that you can still store cigars at higher temperatures as long as the relative humidity of the environment remains at 70%. Generally speaking, cooler temperatures will prevent mold growth and help maintain a consistent level of moisture in your cigars.
Controlling Excess Moisture In Your Cigar Collection
Excess moisture in your cigar collection can cause a variety of problems, such as mold growth and a decrease in flavor. This is why it’s important to keep the relative humidity of your cigar storage area at the optimal 70% RH level.
If you find that the humidity levels are too high, there are several ways to reduce the moisture levels. These include using a dehumidifier, adjusting the temperature of your storage area, and adding extra ventilation.
Tobacco Leaf Quality And Wrapper Type
Tobacco leaf quality and wrapper type play a major role in the overall taste and enjoyment of a cigar. The higher the quality of tobacco used to make the cigar, the better its flavor and aroma will be.
Different types of wrappers can also affect how the cigar tastes; for example, a Connecticut shade wrapper will give a cigar a milder taste while a Maduro wrapper gives it a richer, bolder flavor.
Conclusion
The best humidity for cigars is 70% RH. Keeping your cigars in an environment with this relative humidity level will help preserve their flavor, aroma, and overall quality for much longer than if they stored in a dry or overly humid environment. To maintain the ideal 70% relative humidity level for your cigars, it’ s best to use a digital hygrometer or Humidipaks.
Additionally, it’s important to keep the temperature of your cigar storage area between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit and make sure there is adequate ventilation to prevent excess moisture buildup.