An Introduction to Hookah-Shisha

 

If you’ve just started to look into hookah smoking then you’ve come to the right place. With celebrities such as Rihanna and Miley Cyrus frequenting shisha lounges, the fuss has to be about something.

Whether you’re looking to kick back and relax at home or socialize with friends and meet new people at the nearest shisha cafe, the hookah pipe is a fast-growing hobby all over the world.

Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about hookah smoking and its culture. 

What Is Shisha

Traditionally, shisha was just raw tobacco that was mixed with water and then squeezed to drain the excess water. Then it would be pressed into shape and dried before smoking. Shisha has come a long way since then!

In the early 90s, the new generation in the middle east decided to put their spin on things. The shisha we smoke today is still made of tobacco, but this time it’s fermented with molasses, fruit essence, glycerin, and flavoring. Flavors range from traditional tobacco flavor to pretty much any fruit you can think of.

There are also several tobacco-freeshishas available. These often use dried herbs and fruit instead of tobacco.

Is it Safe?

Sadly, smoking is smoking, and shisha tobacco poses similar health risks as smoking cigarettes. Due to the large of amount smoke that is inhaled in a normal shisha session (about 60 minutes), it's quite possible that regular smoking of shisha could be more detrimental than cigarettes.  

What Is a Hookah

The hookah is the smoking device used to smoke shisha. Hookahs originated in India but very quickly spread to the rest of the middle east. Although mainly used for smoking shisha, hookah pipes are also used for smoking cannabis and even opium.

When you smoke with a hookah the smoke travels down a stem into a reservoir of water, which is often iced to cool the smoke. The smoke is then inhaled through a hose. Some hookahs that are made for social use come with multiple hoses so that more than one person can smoke from the hookah at the same time. 

When looking to buy hookah pipes it’s important to know whether you’re going to be someone who kicks back at home alone or prefers to invite their friends round to share some shisha. 

Hookah Smoking Tips

If you’re thinking about dabbling into the world of hookah smoking, then these few tips will help not only help you to get started. They’ll have you looking like a pro!

• Never leave water in the hookah base after you’ve finished smoking
• Wash your hookah after every use
• Use ice in the hookah water for a cooler smoking experience
• Keep your shisha in the refrigerator, but never freeze it
• Add juice to your hookah water for a fruitier flavor
• Add wine to your hookah water for an intoxicating effect
• Experiment and mix shisha flavors.

Remember, smoking shisha tobacco is a personal experience, so take the time to find what works for you.

You’re Ready for the Shisha Bar

This brief introduction should set you up nicely for your first hookah shisha smoking experience. If you need any more information then there are plenty of hookah forums on the internet where you can find out valuable information from experienced hookah smokers.

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