Perique Storage

[greenmonster714]

So I've got some of this genuine LA Perique from Don. The stuff smells pretty awesome and when it comes out of the vacuum packed bag it is probably just as moist and damp as it is when removed from the barrel.

My question is how do I store this? Visions of mold dance through my head if I even think of storing this stuff in a bag at this moisture level. Left in the vacuum pack I'm sure it would last forever/yrs but once you open the protective bag...then what? It's pretty obvious that some drying will be needed before this stuff will ignite in a bowl. So maybe I should dry at least one half pound bag and see how it goes.

Any and all suggestions are welcome. Help a tobacco brother out. Thanks, Jeff

 

[Jitterbugdude]

I spread mine out and let it dry down to about a 14-16% moisture level, then I store it a mason jar.

 

[deluxestogie]

I've stored various versions of soggy Perique in the fridge for a year or two. (A double freezer Ziploc holds in the aroma.) After many, many moons in the fridge, I sometimes see a scant surface growth of a dull beige yeast, probably Pichia anomala, which has no apparent impact on the taste or aroma.

I have a controlled experiment of soggy WLT Perique underway:

• 1 opened and reclosed pouch in the fridge
• 1 unopened pouch in the fridge
• several unopened pouches at room temp

I should have actual data from that in a year or two.

Bob

 

[greenmonster714]

I have a half pound of this stuff spread out on my work table. It is surprising how intact the leaf is. The wife come around the corner and asked WTF is that smell...lol. I informed her that this is a special delicacy tobacco and that did not impressed her. After ten omg that shit stinks I'm ready to sun dry...lol. Once again I'm stinking up the place. If it's not flagellation bombs it's something to do with processing tobacco. I just can't win..lol.

Refrigerator or mason jars. It's all sounding good. I can't wait to try some of this perique.

 

[Garlisk]

If it's not flagellation bombs it's something to do with processing tobacco. I just can't win..lol.

I really hope you meant flatulation. LoL!

But, in seriousness, thanks for asking this question. I am planning my April tobacco order and was going to get some of the Perique, but was unsure how to store it. I was hoping to be able to pop it right into mason jars, but it sounds like I will have to dry it first. Do you guys think I could bake it at a low temp with the oven door open to speed the process, or perhaps use my food dehydrator?

 

[greenmonster714]

Yep, I guess that is the proper spelling..lol. I just went with the word genie and once again my brain and this phone failed..but luckily y'all know what I meant.

I dried mine for most of the day and put a half pound in a quart mason. It was still a little damp but not half as bad as when I broke the seal on the vacuum bag. I think it will be okay but I'm going to keep an eye on it just in case.

 

[Jitterbugdude]

I would not bake it. You would probably kill the microbes. It'll probably still taste the same but if you spare the microbes lives they will go on to reward you with a more wonderful taste as time goes on . When you mix it with some Virginia the microbes will keep doing their thing... especially if you let them age.

A dehydrator would probably work.

 

[deluxestogie]

I dried mine for most of the day and put a half pound in a quart mason. It was still a little damp but not half as bad as when I broke the seal on the vacuum bag. I think it will be okay ...

Because Perique is hygroscopic (sucks water out of the air), I would not store it a little damp. Either full-on soggy, or low case. In between will allow the barbarians to cross the Danube.

Bob

 

[greenmonster714]

Because Perique is hygroscopic (sucks water out of the air), I would not store it a little damp. Either full-on soggy, or low case. In between will allow the barbarians to cross the Danube.

Bob

Is what your saying I need to completely dry it out before storing it? If so I'll have to dig it out of the jar. To avoid further confrontations with the wife's blood hound of a nose maybe I'll put it outside in a spare rabbit cage I have. Or would that be wrong? It is covered but today is rainy and a little humid.

 

[greenmonster714]

Well, I went and called a producer of perique. Poche Perique Tobacco in Covent, LA. Chatted with a helpful man with that deep South LA accent about the best way to prep this stuff for long term storage. He said to spread out the leaf and let it dry into a low case and store it like any other leaf. He said it will not loose any flavors by drying it out. He said to be sure to store the vacuum packed bags in a cool place so the fridge storage like Bob mentioned would probably be ideal until you have to open one.

 

[Jitterbugdude]

So why did you bother to call Poche?.. WE are the experts... don't you know?
from post # 2:" I spread mine out and let it dry down to about a 14-16% moisture level, then I store it a mason jar. "

 

[deluxestogie]

So why did you bother to call Poche?

Most of the folks that make Perique don't smoke. They ship it out by the barrel. But that's a mighty fine brand name for an authoritative opinion.

I appreciate the effort and the confirmation that JBD knows.

Bob

 

[greenmonster714]

So why did you bother to call Poche?.. WE are the experts... don't you know?
from post # 2:" I spread mine out and let it dry down to about a 14-16% moisture level, then I store it a mason jar. "

Why of course I read it. Just confirming your excellent expert advice.

 

[Smokin Harley]

the way perique is "made" its like sourdough or fermenting kimchi /saurkraut . I would think if you removed all air from the storage bag it'd keep . However , I dried mine ,so i'll never know how long itd keep if left in its soggy state

 

[deluxestogie]

If you travel to a Mars colony, you could probably just store it outdoors long term. Of course, you might also have to smoke it outdoors.

Bob

 

[deluxestogie]

On March 28, 2018 I said:

I have a controlled experiment of soggy WLT Perique underway:

• 1 opened and reclosed pouch in the fridge
• 1 unopened pouch in the fridge
• several unopened pouches at room temp

8 Month Update

• The un-opened bags of Perique from WLT, whether held 8 months at room temperature or refrigerated, show no signs of mold.
  
• The opened bags of Perique from WLT, refrigerated for 8 months, show no signs of mold.
  
• A closed plastic tub of home-made Perique, created from a blend of Habano Colorado, Moonlight, Metacomet and Red Rose, has rested in the refrigerator for 15 months, with no sign of mold.
  
  
• A closed plastic tub of home-made Perique, created from Baldio Vera has rested in the refrigerator for only 8 months, but shows extensive mold, not only over the surface, but between all the layers of leaf. I have now discarded this batch.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

My original impression of the Baldio Vera Perique was that it seemed to have not fully altered itself into Perique. That is, for whatever reason (likely the relatively low ambient temperature while it was under pressure), it needed longer than the 3 months that I allowed it. So it was what you might consider a semi-Perique. That would mean that its pH was not as alkaline as real Perique. The mixture Perique that has not molded (though stored much longer in the fridge) had roughly the same moisture content -- pretty soggy -- as the Baldio Vera Perique.

The Louisiana Periques (2 different ones) from WLT have been repeatedly opened and handled and returned to the fridge. There was plenty of air within those bags for most of their refrigerator storage time.

Interim Conclusion
Fully finished Perique (from WLT or home-made) does not mold in the refrigerator, despite air within the container. If it's not quite Perique (like my Badio Vera), then it will easily mold when stored moist.

Bob

 

[FmGrowit]

Nice to see you found and emoji you like
Your Baldio Vera Perique looks icky.

 

[deluxestogie]

I really should dig out my ancient hydrion test paper, and measure pH directly.

Bob

EDIT: The Baldio Vera icky Perique actually smelled nice, rather than moldy, but it no longer had that fruity/barnyard aroma of Perique.