Hookah has been a misunderstood way to smoke. Older movies showed
many shady characters who would be sitting around a hookah up to no good but in
recent years the trend has resurfaced and hookahs are becoming more
common. Hookah Lounges are gaining in popularity in the world as an
alternative to the bar scene.
For
centuries, Hookah smoking has been looked upon as an art form that’s been
passed down from generation to generation throughout the Middle East. These
water pipes were quite common during the 17th century, frequently
found in coffee shops along the narrow streets of the region. The Hookah Pipe
has inspired many great discussions. Such topics included politics, religion
and everyday common events as the pipe was set in the center of a gathered group
and the attached hose is passed from smoker to smoker, all while partaking in
some interesting conversation and sharing some all-around good times.
As
with many things, there is some debate as to where the Hookah came from. There
are different names for the hookah including Shisha, Nargila and Waterpipe. It’s
believed that the very first Hookah Pipe design was crafted out of a coconut
shell in either India or Persia, and then quickly spread through the rest of
the Arab world. It was in Turkey that the Hookah was given some finishing
touches and found its final form, not really changing at all in the 350+ years
since. When the 20th century arrived, the Hookah Pipe was such a
fashion icon that upper-class Turkish women were photographed with their pipe,
making it a significant status symbol in the process.
The
evolution of the hookah pipe as we see it today took place over many years.
From the most elaborate to the very basic the hookah pipe is now used by all
levels of society and groups. Not only did the hookah pipe change in shape and size it also changed in
name as it travelled through the regions. A hookah has
four fundamental parts which do not vary, such as the base/smoke chamber, which
is partly filled with water; the bowl, which contains the heating apparatus and
tobacco; the pipe, which connects the bowl into the base through a tube
plunging into the water; and the hose, which connects to the pipe’s second tube
and is not immersed into the water, but the smoke chamber air. The heating
apparatus can use charcoal or an electric heater, and the hose may or may not
be removable. It is operated through indirect heat and water-filtration. When
the smoker breathes in through the tube of the hookah, the difference in
pressure forces the air to pass the coal wherein it heats the tobacco giving
off smoke. Then, the smoke coming from the tobacco is brought through the water
into the smoke chamber air of the smoker. When the smoke passes through the
water, it filters both nicotine and tar from the tobacco and also gives the
smoke a cool, smooth feeling.
The
Hookah uses all five senses. First, it’s many are just amazing to look at,
seeming as a collectable piece of art. Touch is obvious through operation of
the pipe. Many Hookahs are made of different materials, such as glass and offer
different sensations depending on where you touch the Hookah. Taste and smell
are tickled through the tobacco and smoke, and the distinguished sound of the
water bubbling in the Hookah is for the ears. Such a combination is nothing short
of pleasing and relaxing to the masses that gather around the world to partake
in Hookah smoking.
If you want
to try out smoking a Hookah, this is what you may expect. First, select a place
that has the kind of atmosphere you’re looking for. Perhaps some where laid
back and chilled. The person/persons you plan on going with are a big factor as
well. If it is your first time, be sure to go with someone who has some
experience and can help you along the way. Slow, relaxed, unpremeditated
conversation enhances the pleasure of a Hookah, while nervous or point-scoring
talk is simply joyless.
What
should you order? Shisha, also referred to as Tombac, Gouza, Moassel or Sheesha,
was and still is the premier choice of Hookah smokers around the globe. This
special blend of dark Shisha leaves, fruit pulp, molasses or honey, and
glycerin contains only 0.5% nicotine and no tar. Shisha flavors have grown to
include some interesting blends like Banana Split, Cherry Cola, Double Apple,
and Pina Colada. Some of the most traditional flavors include Grape or Rose. Many
Hookah smokers will occasionally opt to add ice, fruit juice, or even wine to
the water in the glass base to alter the texture, taste or effect of the smoke.
Now, how do you smoke a shisha? Deeply, my friends, deeply! It's the only way. Keep
in mind: It's a big piece of equipment, and drawing on it from the cheeks is
just not going to make any impression. You've got to inhale. After about 15 to
20 minutes, the flavor will start to change. Often, the smoke becomes too hot. You
simply use the coal tongs to remove one of the charcoals. Or maybe the taste
tends towards sooty or dirty. Then you simply pick up the charcoals and drop
them into the metal coal tray to shake off the ash coating, before placing them
back on top of the foil. A little later, maybe after half an hour, the coals
will be exhausted. The shisha can be refreshed with new coals once or twice,
before the smoking mixture is used up.
Many
Hookah smokers have their own pipe at home. If you are considering that,
remember to choose your Hookah carefully. And once you have chosen it, it’s a
bit of a production to set it up each time you want to smoke. To many veteran
Hookah smokers, this process is almost a ritual in itself.
Start by
breaking the shisha into small clumps and drop them into the bowl loosely. Load
your bowl to just below the rim, so the tobacco will not be bulging or
overflowing when you put the foil on. Try not to pack the shisha into the bowl
too much. You want the bowl to breathe well so all the air will be getting to
the shisha. Put the foil on, shiny side down, and make sure it’s pulled nice
and taught over the rim of the bowl. Take some extra time to smooth out the
foil that’s been folded over the side of the bowl so everything is nice and
clean and as air-tight as possible.
Poke a whole
bunch of really small holes using something fine like a safety pin. The idea is
to have as many holes as possible so the foil will breathe really well, but
make sure the holes are not so big that ash falls through them as your coals
burn. Once you have the holes poked, you should take the bowl and put your
mouth over the opening at the bottom, blowing through the tobacco and foil,
then gently sucking back in. You’ll want to keep your hand tight over the rim
of the bowl while doing this so your foil stays nice and tight. This is an important
part of the process, as it helps you determine how well the bowl breathes. The
better the airflow, the better your smoke quality.
Now it’s
time to put the bowl on the hookah and get your coals ready. You will need to
experiment with the amount of coal you use. In general, a little more coal is a
little better than too little… and if the flavor gets harsh and makes you
cough, that’s an indication that the heat is too strong and the shisha is
burning. At that point, you want to take the coal off the bowl and let the
shisha rest a little. You should also be moving the coal around the outside of
the bowl as you’re smoking, about every 10 or 15 minutes.
As you enjoy
your Hookah, take the time to let your mind drift back to the days of old and
marvel how culture resurfaces time and time again.
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