Hookahs are water pipes for smoking tobacco. Hookahs are usually smoked in a social way with two or more people enjoying the experience.   Hookah tobacco or Shisha are usually fruit flavored and are more natural than the chemical based tobacco common in American cigarettes. Hookahs originated in India and spread in popularity throughout the middle east especially with women as it was a way for socialization inside the home.

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 especially in the United States as an alternative to the bar scene.  Lounges offer many flavors of Shisha for the smokers to enjoy in a relaxed atmosphere for patrons to unwind.  Most patrons will also own their own hookah for their more intimate gatherings of close friends.

Shisha is smoked through indirect heat from a piece of charcoal which is ignited on a screen or aluminum foil which is placed on top of the tobacco in the bowl.  The smoke is drawn through hoses extended from the base which is filled with a liquid to compliment the shisha. Click here for instructions. The liquid in the base cools and filters the smoke allowing those around the hookah to enjoy a smoke which is not harsh and full of flavor.  The set up is very ritualistic and a relaxing event for the smokers.  Smoking sessions will last 30 minutes or more and are more of a highlight of a get together.  It is not uncommon for hookah to be the reason for the get together as you would invite some friends over for a movie or some drinks.

Shisha is available in a wide array of flavors and some more adventurous hookah smokers will experiment with mixing flavors to come up with their favorite shisha recipe. Click here to see different recipes. Hookah smoking is as unique as the people around the pipe.  Do not be afraid to try many different ideas for mixing the tobaccos the only limit is your imagination.  Have fun and experiment!!!