HOW TO KEEP CUBAN CIGARS FRESH
(after you’ve brought them back from the farm)
By Michael Chinnici
Smoking a cigar in Cuba is like a “rite of passage” into Cuban culture. Even if you don’t smoke (which most people don’t these days), you will likely feel compelled to take a few puffs of a world famous Cuban Cohiba cigar. It’s the same as sipping a Cuban Mojito, or enjoying a Cuban sandwich, or hopping into a classic American car from the 1950’s.
If you are fortunate enough to experience Cuba, we suggest you visit Cuba’s tobacco region in the western province of Pinar del Rio. You will no doubt be tempted to return home with some award-winning Cohiba cigars, fresh from the farm.
The trick will be… keeping them fresh. We have a simple solution that we think you will love.
Here’s a great “poor man’s solution” to an expensive humidor.
- Ziplock Plastic Bag
- Moistened Paper Towel (folded)
- Plastic Grocery Bag (or similar)
- Refrigerator
First insert the cigars into the ziplock bag as shown below. Next, crumple up and insert a plastic grocery bag to act as a barrier between the cigars and the moistened paper towel.
Insert the moistened paper towel in last and up against the bag. Be sure that the moist paper towel does not touch the cigars. Finally, press most of the air out of the bag and seal it. Now you are ready to place your prized Cohiba cigars in your refrigerator for safe keeping until you are ready for your next cigar.
If you are traveling for more that one week, we suggest you seal your cigars as noted above while traveling, and put them in your refrigerator when you return home.
I’ve traveled to Cuba over 8 times leading Photo & Cultural Adventure Vacations. I can tell you that this method of keeping your cigars fresh works like a charm every time. My friends always say “Wow, these cigars are amazing and so fresh! I don’t know how you do it.” Well… now you know! Enjoy!
Join us in Cuba for the photo adventure of a lifetime.
PHOTO WORKSHOP ADVENTURES
May all who come as guests… leave as friends™
Thank you so much for this trick on how to keep my cigar fresh. My father-in-law gave me one for Christmas and it has just been sitting out. I don’t smoke but I will be sure to keep it in good condition.
Very nice tip. I understand the way you used ziplock bag and moist towel but dont understand why you need to keep them in refrigerator. I think keep cigar in refrigerator make them dry out very fast. Correct me if I’m wrong.
Hi Bien, just for a short time. But you may be right over a long period of time, although friends have told me that even after 6 months they are surprised how incredibly fresh the cigars are.
This is a great idea for when I’m traveling! It’s tough to keep my sticks fresh when on the go for more than a day or two.