https://www.cigarworld.com/education/tobacco-411/quality-assurance-and-deep-freezing/
Quality Assurance and Deep Freezing
BY: JHONYS DIAZ, VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS - GENERAL CIGAR DOMINICANA
We mentioned that each cigar is draw tested to ensure that it is not rolled too tightly. This is only part of the story. Our tobacco is inspected at various stages throughout its processing, by people who are devoted to ensuring the quality and consistency of the products we bring to our consumers.
We also conduct humidity tests on our cigars, to ensure that they are at the required moisture level (13-15%). This ensures that the cigars will have an even draw and that their flavor is optimal.
Every single cigar is also inspected several times to ensure that it is filled with the proper amount of tobacco, and that it is made to our high standards of aesthetics.
To me and to the people who are involved in making our cigars, every cigar that is brought out to the market is a reflection on us. We take great pride in our work. And it is of the utmost importance to us that we give the best of ourselves to the people who buy our cigars.
After the cigars are banded and placed in their tubes, the cigars receive one final inspection before the box is sealed for the final process of deep freezing.
The last step of the process is the deep freezing chamber which is used to ensure that the finished cigars are free from the dreaded lasioderma, aka the tobacco beetle. Cigars are packed in shipping cartons and placed in this specialized freezer for a total of six days. During this time, their internal temperature is brought all the way down to minus 20° F. The cigars are then left inside the chamber for another 48 hours, to warm up until their internal temperature reaches 40 ⁰F. This is the absolute last step of the process. The product is then ready to be loaded in the container and shipped by air or sea, in accordance with the requirements of customs requirements at their country of destination.