Understanding Percent Moisture Content: A discussion of the relationships between rH and Temperature in Cigar Storage

[eggtimer]

Suppose I am smart enough to understand the relationship between the, temp and moisture content. 

What is the ideal moisture content of a cigar? Absolute, not relative, cigar, not ambient rh of a humidor?

[Fuzz]

On 8/4/2024 at 4:59 PM, eggtimer said:

Suppose I am smart enough to understand the relationship between the, temp and moisture content. 

What is the ideal moisture content of a cigar? Absolute, not relative, cigar, not ambient rh of a humidor?

Ideal moisture content? 13.1415926535897932384626433832795028841% by weight.

But only if you are smoking between the 32nd and 34th south parallels, during the Spring Equinox at 7pm on a cloudless evening at 23.5°C and humidity of 54.79% with a southerly breeze of 5km/hr.

There is no such thing as an "ideal" moisture content, as there are too many variables to take into account. And since everyone's tastes are different, what's good for me might be terrible for you. Best you can do is take a generalisation and make small adjustments until you find what works for you at that moment.

[eggtimer]

6 hours ago, Fuzz said:

Ideal moisture content? 13.1415926535897932384626433832795028841% by weight.

But only if you are smoking between the 32nd and 34th south parallels, during the Spring Equinox at 7pm on a cloudless evening at 23.5°C and humidity of 54.79% with a southerly breeze of 5km/hr.

There is no such thing as an "ideal" moisture content, as there are too many variables to take into account. And since everyone's tastes are different, what's good for me might be terrible for you. Best you can do is take a generalisation and make small adjustments until you find what works for you at that moment.

And the generalisation is what I am after! In abs hum %. 

[Fuzz]

13-16% of total weight is the generally accepted range if stored around 63-65%RH. Though without testing with a moisture meter, the only other way to know is by oven dry testing, and that's not gonna be conducive to an enjoyable smoke...

And if people start going down this route, I'm gonna launch a new Perfect Cigar Tester on Kickstarter! Will go well with my new Cigar Bib....