Why does tobacco change texture under pressure and/or heat?
If you've ever cooked or put tobacco under significant pressure, you've noticed a certain change in texture. I used to attribute this stickiness to cells rupturing their water content w/ dissolved sugars and such. Now, I believe it is related to gelatinization. I read an article about amylase...fairtradetobacco.com
I never actually did the experiment.
Just theoretical.
I’m sorry for Necro in an older thread Bob. Do you have any advice for somebody who wants to store a large amount of one blend say 8 ounces? Or a large plug?Familiarity with commercial pipe blends means that you are accustomed to tobacco that feels eternally soft. A sealed Mason jar will maintain whatever humidity it starts with. I would suggest storing a pipe blend that seems dry, but does not crumble when crushed. Once sealed, store it in a stable temperature environment, to avoid condensation.
I never worry about storing a blend, since I make up a 1-2 ounce batch, often have 3 or more current batches of different blends, and keep them in quart freezer Ziploc bags at my desk. I smoke them until they are gone. No prolonged storage. That allows me to experiment with new blends weekly.
This thread describes scores of pipe blends that you can make, and that use zero casings.
With Virginia tobaccos, I usually prefer to balance the pH to eliminate tongue bite. The most effective ingredient for that is Perique (excellent, St. James Parish Perique is available at WLT). A pure Virginia/Perique blend seems to pH balance at about 5 parts Virginia to 3 parts Perique. Another approach to balancing Virginia is to use Maryland or Burley or Dark Air-Cured instead of Perique, though the ratios differ for each variety. For your Maryland, start with the 5:3 ratio, and adjust it from there.Pure Tobacco Pipe Blends You Can Make
While some varieties of tobacco can be enjoyable when smoked straight in a pipe, the flavor horizon can be broadened by simple blending of contrasting varieties and cure-methods. My goal in this thread is to present some pipe blends that do not use casing of any kind. [Practically all...
Do read about making your own Cavendish, since it is quite easy to do, and adds wonderful notes to your blending experiments.
Bob
Thank you sir I greatly appreciate your assistance. Like I said sorry for the thread Necro, and I will read that link as soon as possible on my next lunch break. It will be nice not to have to spend money on expensive mason jars that’s for sure.
A Pipe Blend Storage Jar for a Large Batch
Storage Jar for a Large Batch of Pipe Blend For years, I've kept my pipe blends in 1 quart Ziplock freezer bags. These work fairly well to maintain humidity over the short term. My desk in my study supports a small avalanche of impromptu pouches and cascading Ziplocks. They're cheap...
Freezer Ziploc bags are adequate for holding a blend for at least a month or two, since their vapor transpiration is reduced by the thickness of the polyethylene.
Bob
Wow you must eat a lot of beans and legumes! Also great idea on the peanut jugs, cheap and as you say lots of uses.Those big Honey Roasted Peanuts jars from Walmart are perfect not only for tobacco, but for dried beans, dried mushrooms, flour, grits, etc. Just don't waste your time trying to remove the label, since nothing will fully remove it without a chemical solvent.
Notice that I've turned the jars so the original labels are in back.
Besides, they are actually among the tastiest, yet least expensive honey roasted peanuts I've found.
Bob
