Michael,

That's very common especially this time of year. There is "some kind of
fungus or bacteria" that got into the material and festered itself inside.
For storing the material for future use or competition purposes, I highly
recommend freezing the material a special way (described below) so that it
smells and tastes like it was dried yesterday. This only works with smaller
quantities (an OZ or so per container at the most).

To freeze & unfreeze it properly:

(FREEZE)
1. First bag it, then bag it again, then bag it again. I use 2 or 3 high
quality zip log bags & suck out all of the air -- OR use one of those
automatic / electric devices that suck out all the air and seal it correctly
(doing this several times). Then I use some super plastic wrap to wrap it
several more times. I ultimately have about 5 or 6 bags safeguarding the
material so it doesn't become wet. I also suck out all the air out of each
bag by zipping up the bag to the corner, and then sucking out the air with
my mouth. Works great! Get all of the air out of the bags as possible!!

2. Obtain a container with which you can freeze with water. I use (and have
always used) a paper half gallon milk container. Incidentally, I even use
this method for freezing game that we can eat 30 years later! (a) Open the
container and place the bagged material inside. This is really only
effective for a small lid (oz) or maybe half a lid (oz). (b) Next, fill the
container full of water. (c) clip the top of the container to hold it shut
using whatever works for you (d) place in the freezer upright (so the water
doesn't spill).

3. Leave it for 24 hours and then you can place it on it's side because the
water will be frozen.

You can leave the material inside forever (literally forever). It will
never burn, it will never go bad, it will always taste like it did the day
you froze it just so long as you follow the procedures below to properly
unfreeze it.

(UNFREEZE)
Simply place it in the sink, poke holes in the bottom and in the sides (by
CAREFULLYcutting them with a knife). This is why I use the cardboard
containers and NOT plastic ones. Simply let it sit and thaw (don't add hot
water or anything, you don't want to dramatically increase the temp or you
can damage the material). Once it is thaw enough to remove the plastic bag,
then remove it. After it's removed, simply set it on the counter and leave
it for about 2 hours (minimum) or until it becomes room temperature. I
usually let it sit overnight. Why? If you open it right up, the material
will still be cold and then all of the moisture in the material will
evaporate QUICKLY and it will become dry and brittle very quickly. Instead,
let it thaw and all the moisture will go to the bag and then be reabsorbed
back into the material. DO NOT handle the material while it is frozen; it
is very brittle and you can easily dislodge trychromes and ruin it!!! I
can't stress this enough... Do not handle the material while frozen, let it
sit for a very long time until it is completely room temperature and you see
NO moisture left on the inside of the bags.

I hope this helps you in the future... :)

DudeMaster

"Michael" noyb.tv> wrote in message
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