EAR: No way can mold develop in 2 weeks?

[El Presidente]

EAR: Email Assistance Required. 

 

"Rob, I really think you should post this on the forum.

Recently I bought a box of Esmereldas through Facebook, and when they arrived, the heads were covered in white mould. The original photo the seller sent only showed maybe one or two tiny spots, nothing like what I received.

I asked him about it and he said it must’ve happened during shipping. Then he told me just to wipe it off and stop "being a baby." Honestly, I’m not being dramatic, I’m just concerned these might not even be the cigars I agreed to buy.

Is it really possible for cigars to develop that much mould just from two weeks in transit?

 

Over to you good people. Let us know your thoughts and experiences 

[TheGipper]

1 hour ago, El Presidente said:

Is it really possible for cigars to develop that much mould just from two weeks in transit?

Oh yes. And not even two weeks. One weekend in a hot postal service trailer can do it.

Ever looked at the carton on strawberries on the kitchen counter the next day and say, "wow that mold wasn't there yesterday"?

[Chas.Alpha]

Yep. But of course, it’s plume, so you can relist them on Facebook at twice the price!

[LordAnubis]

Can’t say about transit but yes, I had mould appear after 8 days away. 

[El Presidente]

11 hours ago, LordAnubis said:

Can’t say about transit but yes, I had mould appear after 8 days away. 

When I use to grow plume, I could manage it in 2-3 days under the right conditions. 

[Chibearsv]

1 hour ago, Chas.Alpha said:

Yep. But of course, it’s plume, so you can resist them on Facebook at twice the price!

The cheesemaker should know all about mold...er...plume.  Listen to him.

[Chas.Alpha]

Yep.

[Chas.Alpha]

33 minutes ago, Chibearsv said:

The cheesemaker should know all about mold...er...plume.  Listen to him.

Have you ever enjoyed a delightful Camembert, Brie or Coulommiers cheese? You know that light bread crust that encapsulates the cheese?

It ain’t bread…

[BrightonCorgi]

A little mold can add some complexity or nuance to a cigar.  

[teamrandr]

Stop being a baby and wipe it off.  

[Fuzz AI]

Mold in under 2 weeks? Obviously the OP does not have kids! 

[gormag38]

I've certainly had some sticks gather some mold spots during the course of transit. It is absolutely something that can form/gather in under two weeks. If you're seeing photos of them before shipping and are noticing a spot or two here or there, then chances are the mold continued to grow while in transit. 

If it's not on the foot, wipe it off and go about your way. It really isn't worth your time to argue about it with the shipper. 

[BrightonCorgi]

If the box was sealed during shipping, the RH could increase with a temperature increase.

[JavierCorona]

While I hate mold, sure two weeks no problem. I've seen it grow on my bread in the house within a week. 

[BurkeAK]

It definitely can depend on how hot it is. The seller should've offered a refund & return label in my opinion, regardless. But I'm not really too experienced with Cubans, recently got into it so don't take my word for it, lol.

[Ford2112]

Get a discount and wipe them off!

[Ayub]

Is it possible for cigar mold to develop in electric humidor? If so what can be done to avoid it?

[Greenhorn2]

I've had a box of cigars sitting in my humidor at 64%RH/66°F develop mold in about 7 days before. One week they're fine, next week - holy s**t!