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Rest the Palate

Zulu

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I've herad it said that after somoking on a daily basis one should take a few days break to rest the palate, supposedly allowing time to pass so you can once again detect subtle flavors.
What do you guys think...do you daily smokers do this?
 
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I did make it until 7 pm tonight without firing one up, does that count? :)

Great question, Ive often wondered about that. I'll be interested in hearing what people have to say.
 

icehog3

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If I get a period of time where everything tastes the same, I will take a short break...but I don't schedule breaks or anything like that.
 

SkinsFanLarry

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In my opinion Zulu, a fresh palate responds better to the delicacy of a cigar.

One way is to lay off cigars for a couple of days or you can chase the cigar taste from your mouth with some hard cheese like sharp cheddar.

Or one that I have always found to work, you can get out the toothbrush and be sure to brush that tongue. By then you should be cigar taste-free.

Just my opinion, and they have worked for me.
 

dpmrpa

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I am thinking of doing the same thing Zulu. I smoke everyday at least one. Things aren't tasting as well right now.
 

smokemifugotem

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it works for me when I go on a binge over a holiday weekend or such. I also just read something on the cigar.com newsletter that talked a lot about citrus to help nuetralize the taste in u mounth ( and breath) but will also help recover your taste buds. So a little lemonade or some oranges probably would hurt! have not tried it yet...but plan to in the future. Nick
 

SkinsFanLarry

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Nick is definately right about that, I try to stay away from the weaker citrus drinks such as sodas and go for more acidic tonics. Orange juice is good, but my favorite is the bitter lemon drink mixes, especially Schweppes Bitter Lemon. Their combination of lemon juice and bitter quinine is both sour and refreshing and will probably cut 80-90% of the taste of anything that was in your mouth.

Zulu, just two more cents from me.
 

Soundwave13

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I don't schedule 'breaks' either, but when I need one, I know it. And truthfully, after even a day or two without smoking, the flavors of the cigar really 'jump out' at you & I really am able to distinguish them & enjoy them much more.

As far as daily smoking, I still love them, but I am very conscious of the speed at which I smoke to so as not to burn out my tongue and sinuses.
 

Hardcore

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With my work schedule I only get the chance for one maybe two sticks a week now. I really enjoy them a lot more & they seem to taste a lot better. I'm also picking up flavors that I never did before.
 

Moro

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Cigar smoking is about enjoying. So do it however it is ye'll enjoy it and, if ye feel like it, take a break when needed. Everyone is different, so try and find out what suits ye best.
 

Jfire

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Taking a unscheduled break tonight as we speak. After a few days of putting down the hammer the body as well as the buds needed a break. Even if I brush the tongue 4 hrs later its back. So I just take a break once a week or so. Always seems to help.
Justin
 
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I've heard that the CA guys use apple juice between tastings (mildly acidic).

Also, fennel seeds do a great job removing the taste of cigars from your mouth.

But to echo others, I break when I feel I need one.
 

strife

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Right now I only smoke on days ending in "y" but I'm trying to cut it down to Sat, Sun and Wed. I give my buds a break by smoking different strengths each day. Daily LFD's will definitely crush your buds!
 

Lorax429

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I take a hiatus every August to reset and refresh. It is so damn hot in NC in the month of August, it usually takes the desire to smoke right out of me anyway.....
 
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I usually smoke several cigars back-to-back, one to three days a week. I would say that when I go more than 2 days in a row smoking cigars, I have trouble finding something that suits my palate. I would call that burnout, in some fashion. Otherwise, I've gone weeks without smoking at times.

Bear
 

PepinAddiction

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I've been smoking daily (as of late) and find that taking one day off is enough to get me back in shape. Ideally I would just burn them up on Fri-Sun... but it's hard to resist the goodness.:cbig:
 
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I wish I could but I'm addicted, there is a drawback if I have ever heard of one..
"Addicted" (literally needed for physical stabilization,) really? Perhaps "Habituated" (necessary recurring routine assignment) or psychologically dependent (needed for lessening of mental stress buildup?)

If you are purposefully, grossly inhaling the nicotine in the cigars (as opposed to an occasional colateral breathing of the smoke) this may serve, along with the anticipations and actions involved in the smoking process, in combination to lead into all the above dependencies.

Physical addiction to nicotine lessens gradually, daily, over a period of time after a couple of weeks break from the activity.

Habituation requires at least 21 days of abstinence in order to formulate other activities which serve to redirect routine and lessen an activity's "hold."

Psychological dependence is what binds most cigarette smokers in place. Overcoming this bond requires a redirection of attitudes and a renewed sense of self purpose corresponding with the time it takes to overcome the other two binding principles.

Addiction to anything is possible and is never healthy - if a true addiction, knowing how we throw that term around with a wink of the eye. But usually most of us who do not inhale cigar smoke routinely are merely habtuated to the process of selection, preparation beforehand and then finding "our spot" to fulfill this desire that has been on our mind for an hour or more.

Taking a break and forming other routines in place of cigar smoking is a good idea, if one feels the need to reduce this habituation and therby forego a deeper dependency from developing. Just deciding to start a break period is the toughest part. It gets easier to form other routines in place of smoking as the days pass, depending upon the nature of the activity's depth within one's lifestyle.

Best of luck to your efforts to be a better cigar smoker and in learning to appreciate its nuances to a much greater degree by cleaning out the palate on a regular basis.
 
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