Maya Ellison
Many cigars come wrapped in cellophane, a thin transparent sheet made from regenerated cellulose. While some cigar lovers prefer to store their cigars with the cellophane on, others prefer to remove it. The decision to keep cigars in their cellophane wrapper boils down to personal preference. However, there are some benefits and drawbacks to keeping cigars in their cellophane wrapper that may influence your decision.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Material | Cellophane (not plastic) |
| Composition | Regenerated cellulose |
| Appearance | Thin, transparent sheet |
| Benefits | Protects cigars from dust, dirt, and climate fluctuations during transportation and storage |
| Permeability | Semi-permeable, allowing water vapour and humidity to pass through |
| Microclimate | Creates an internal environment, allowing the cigar to breathe and age slowly |
| Barcoding and Handling | Allows for easy barcoding and handling in retail |
| Aging Indicator | Turns yellowish-amber with prolonged storage, indicating cigar aging |
| Storage Recommendation | Remove for long-term storage to encourage aging and absorption of oils and aromas |
| Personal Preference | Some prefer the effect, while others don't; it depends on blend preferences |
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What You'll Learn
Cellophane is not plastic
Cigars are often wrapped in cellophane, a thin, transparent sheet made of regenerated cellulose. Despite its appearance, cellophane is not plastic. It is derived from natural sources such as wood, cotton, hemp, and other organic fibres, while plastic wrap is typically made from oil.
Cellophane was invented in the early 1900s by Swiss chemist Jacques E. Brandenberger. The story goes that he was inspired to create a waterproof coating after witnessing wine being spilled on a tablecloth in a restaurant. Brandenberger spent over a decade perfecting the film, eventually adding glycerin, which made the material softer and more versatile. In 1912, he officially named his invention "cellophane", derived from the combination of "cellulose" and "diaphane", meaning "transparent".
Cellophane is highly effective at protecting surfaces from grease, oil, water, and bacteria. It is also biodegradable and compostable, although it cannot be recycled. It is widely used in food packaging and for wrapping cigars. The microscopic pores in cellophane allow humidity to permeate the sleeves that cigars are wrapped in, which is beneficial for cigar packaging. However, cigars will absorb and exchange oils and aromas within the environment of a humidor more effectively if the cellophane is removed. Therefore, if you plan to store your cigars for several months or longer, it is generally recommended to remove the cellophane.
While cellophane provides many practical benefits, it is important to note that its production can be toxic and energy-intensive. The original production process used carbon disulfide, which is highly toxic to workers. Newer processes, such as the lyocell process, do not use carbon disulfide, making them safer and more environmentally friendly.
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Cellophane slows cigar drying
The decision to keep cigars in their cellophane wrapper is a matter of personal preference. However, there are several factors to consider when deciding whether or not to remove the cellophane, as it does play a role in the preservation of cigars.
Cellophane is a thin, transparent sheet made from regenerated cellulose, a natural substance derived from the cell wall of plants. It is not plastic, although it is often mistaken for one. One of the key benefits of cellophane is that it is semi-permeable, meaning it allows water vapour to pass through. This property helps to create a microclimate within the wrapper, allowing the cigar to breathe and age slowly. As a result, cigars in cellophane wrappers will stay fresh for around 30 days, after which they will start to dry out due to the porous nature of the wrapper.
Cellophane also provides a layer of protection for cigars, helping to prevent damage during transportation and handling. It protects the cigars from dust, dirt, and any unexpected bumps or drops. This makes it ideal for cigar packaging, as it allows retailers to display the cigars while also keeping them fresh and protected.
However, one of the main considerations when deciding whether to keep cigars in cellophane is the impact on humidity. While cellophane does not completely prevent humidity from reaching the cigars, it does decrease the amount of moisture they receive. This can slow down the ageing process, which may be favourable for smokers who prefer to let their cigars age for longer periods before smoking. On the other hand, it can also make it more difficult to rehydrate neglected cigars.
In conclusion, the decision to keep cigars in cellophane wrappers ultimately comes down to personal preference. Cellophane provides protection and helps maintain freshness, but it can also impact the ageing process by slowing down the exchange of moisture. For those who plan to store their cigars for several months or longer, removing the cellophane may be preferable to encourage ageing and allow for the absorption of oils and aromas within the humidor.
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Cellophane for transport
Cigars are often wrapped in cellophane sleeves, a clear, protective material that is particularly useful for transportation. Cellophane is a thin, transparent sheet made of regenerated cellulose. It is highly impermeable to air, oils, greases, bacteria, and liquid water, making it ideal for protecting cigars during transport. Its low permeability to air and liquid water means that cigars can be protected from excessive handling in cigar shops and during personal transportation, for example, in a coat pocket.
Cellophane is not plastic, although it is often mistaken for it. It is a natural substance, with cellulose being the main component in the cell wall of a plant. It is biodegradable and can be obtained from biomaterials such as wood, cotton, hemp, and other organic fibres.
Cellophane was invented in the early 1900s by Swiss chemist Jacques E. Brandenberger, who aimed to create a material that could repel liquids rather than absorb them. He was inspired by the hydrophobic effect of a restaurant tablecloth and a wine spill. It took Brandenberger ten years to perfect his film, and by 1912, he had constructed a machine to manufacture cellophane.
Cellophane is widely used in food packaging and for industrial applications such as a base for self-adhesive tapes and as a semi-permeable membrane in some alkaline manganese dioxide batteries. In the context of cigars, cellophane is particularly useful for transportation as it allows for the cigar's wrapper leaf to be visible while also providing protection.
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Cellophane for ageing cigars
Storing cigars in cellophane is a common practice, and many cigars come wrapped in a cellophane sleeve. Cellophane is a thin, transparent sheet made from regenerated cellulose, a natural substance derived from the cell walls of plants such as cotton, wood, and hemp. It is not plastic, although its appearance can be misleading.
Cellophane provides several benefits for cigar packaging. Firstly, it protects the cigars from grease, oil, water, and bacteria. Secondly, because cellophane is permeable to water vapour, it allows for the regulation of humidity, which is crucial for maintaining cigar quality. Additionally, cellophane helps cigars age more uniformly and protects their fragile wrapper leaves during transport and handling in retail environments.
However, there are differing opinions on whether to keep the cellophane on or off when storing cigars. Some sources recommend removing the cellophane if you plan to age the cigars for several months or longer. This is because cigars age faster and absorb aromas and oils from the overall environment of the humidor when the cellophane is removed. Additionally, cigars respond better to humidification when the cellophane is taken off.
On the other hand, some cigar lovers prefer the effect of ageing cigars in cellophane, as it can lead to a more uniform taste. Cellophane can also provide significant protection for cigars during transport, especially if you plan to carry them in your pocket.
Ultimately, the decision to keep cigars in cellophane for ageing depends on personal preference, the desired ageing time, and the blend of the cigar. Some experimentation may be required to determine the preferred method for each individual cigar lover.
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Cellophane for protection
Cellophane is a thin, transparent sheet made of regenerated cellulose with low permeability to air, oils, greases, bacteria, and liquid water. It is often used for food packaging and in the sale of premium cigars.
Cellophane was invented in the early 1900s by Swiss chemist Jacques E. Brandenberger. The story goes that he was inspired to create a waterproof coating after witnessing wine being spilled on a tablecloth in a restaurant. Brandenberger spent more than 10 years perfecting the film, eventually adding glycerin, which softened the material. In 1912, he officially named his invention "cellophane", derived from the combination of cellulose and diaphane, meaning "transparent".
Cellophane is an effective protector of surfaces from grease, oil, water, and bacteria. Because water vapour can permeate cellophane, it is ideal for packaging cigars. It also slows down the drying process of a cigar. However, if you plan to store your cigars for several months or longer, it is recommended to remove the cellophane. This is because cigars removed from their cellophane sleeves will absorb and exchange precious oils and aromas within the overall environment of your humidor.
Cellophane is also useful for transporting cigars, for example, in a coat pocket. It is also biodegradable and compostable.
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Frequently asked questions
The decision to keep cigars in their plastic wrapper is a matter of personal preference. While the wrapper is not completely impermeable to moisture, it does decrease the amount of moisture the cigar will receive from the humidor. It also slows the aging process, which is favourable for smokers who like to let their cigars sit for months or even years. The wrapper also protects the cigar from dust and dirt, and climate fluctuations during transportation.
The plastic wrappers that cigars come in are made of cellophane, which is regenerated cellulose manufactured into a thin transparent sheet. While it is often mistaken for plastic, cellophane is not petroleum-based and is fully biodegradable and compostable.
Keeping cigars in their plastic wrapper slows the drying process of the cigar. The wrapper also creates a microclimate within it, allowing the cigar to breathe and slowly age. It also protects the cigar from damage caused by excessive handling in cigar shops.
