Where did the hookah smoking tradition come from? How is it different from regular cigarettes? What types of tobacco for hookah exist? Let's look for answers to these questions.
For the first time, hookah began to be smoked in ancient India not one hundred years ago. Then - in Asia, Persia, Africa, Syria. Gradually, such a tradition reached Europe. And by the end of the twentieth century, hookah gained popularity in Russia. Nowadays, almost every second institution provides the opportunity to smoke a hookah, the smoke of which allows you to relax with your body and mind.
Types of tobacco for hookah and their features
Traditionally, there are 3 types of tobacco for hookah:
- Massil.
- Tombak.
- The Crane.
Each of them has its own specific features. What types of tobacco for hookah are the most popular among smokers? We’ll talk about this today.
Massille (Muessel)
This most popular type of hookah tobacco was invented in Egypt over 100 years ago. Once a soldier, while eating bread and molasses, tried to add a little molasses to dry tobacco. The result of this combination was magnificent. The sticky consistency of tobacco, acquired by him through molasses, made it much easier to smoke it, as well as to feel its aroma. It was then that such a tobacco began to be called "massill", that is, in the translation from the Arabic language, "honey." Trying to reveal the taste and aroma of tobacco, they tried to add a variety of flavorings, both the simplest and the most peculiar ones. We were satisfied with the result, so similar experiments continue to this day. As a result, there are more and more varieties of hookah tobacco.
According to the system of established standards that determines the proportions of additives, high-quality hookah tobacco of the specified type should have the following composition: 50% - molasses and glycerin, 30% - coarsely chopped tobacco leaves, 20% - fruits, instead of which spices, berries, flower or herbal sometimes are used essences, aromatic oils, as well as food flavorings.
Some features are inherent in the massilla production process itself. Strong black tobacco is chosen for it, in which, after complex processing, the level of nicotine is significantly reduced, and harmful resins disappear altogether. Of great importance is the dosage of the components and the order in which the ingredients are laid. Thanks to the relative harmlessness to health and the variety of taste sensations offered, “massill” is the most consumed type of tobacco for hookah.
Tombak
Translated from the Turkish language Tombak literally means "tobacco". This type of hookah tobacco is, as they say, a classic of the genre. It is preferred by people who do not recognize flavors, enjoying the authentic taste and aroma of tobacco. However, the content of a large amount of nicotine in it is a significant minus for health. In order to get rid of at least a small amount of nicotine, “Tombak” is moistened with water and squeezed thoroughly before putting it into a hookah bowl.
This type of tobacco is popular in the countries of the East, especially in Iran and Turkey. In Russia, Tombak did not win much love from hookah smokers.
Jurak
The specified type of tobacco is a kind of middle link between “Tombak” and “Massil”, because its composition includes both molasses and black tobacco. Sometimes fruits or oils are also added to these ingredients.
The north of India, Nepal and Saudi Arabia are the only places where Zhurak is widely used. In other parts of the world, he could not gain popularity.
Packing tobacco for hookah
All types of tobacco for hookah have another feature - for each of them a certain type of packaging is preferable.
Since Massil looks very much like jam, that is, it is moist and sticky, it is first packed in polyethylene and then in plastic or cardboard. However, it is even better if such tobacco is transported and stored in a tin or glass packaging.
“Tombak”, in turn, is a dry type of tobacco, therefore it is most often packed in plain paper.
Manufacturers
What types of tobacco for hookahs are, we already know. And which manufacturer should be preferred? In order to choose a really high-quality hookah tobacco, you should know which manufacturers of this product, time-tested, need to pay attention in the first place.
- Al Fakher is a company located in the United Arab Emirates. She offers high quality tobacco. It is finely chopped, carefully soaked. Pluses: there are no impurities of garbage, the optimum ratio of price and quality.
- Nakhla is an Egyptian manufacturing company that has been manufacturing tobacco for hookah for more than a century. Her product is stronger, less pure. Nevertheless, due to its long experience in this field, the company as a result of production receives tobacco with a very rich taste, therefore it remains popular in the modern market.
- Starbuzz ranks third in popularity due to the fact that the content of the products of this American manufacturing company is significantly less than nicotine. The tobacco blend of this company is characterized by a wide range of varieties.
- Saalaam . This company produces nicotine-free tobacco for hookah.
Hookah mixes
It was noted above that one of the advantages of Massil tobacco is the provision of the opportunity to enjoy various taste sensations. "Massil" is a very popular tobacco for hookah. Types of tastes and aromas delight the consumer with its diversity and richness.
The most delicious aromas of "Massil" are recognized:
- Apple or double apple.
- Wild strawberries.
- Apricot.
- Cherry.
- A mixture of fruits.
- Mint.
- Coffee flavors.
- Mango.
- Banana.
Sometimes on the modern market in the assortment you can find quite unusual tastes: beer, Coca-Cola, chewing gum.
Experienced smokers often mix Massil in order to achieve new flavors. For a change, you can spread tobacco layer by layer to feel several flavors that will smoothly replace each other.
Here are some recipes for how to mix hookah tobacco with different flavors.
- Rose and lemon. Varieties must be taken in equal proportions. Fans of hookah smoking recommend this option to those who prefer a soft pleasant aroma.
- Watermelon, mint and vanilla. Proportions should be equal. The taste of mint and watermelon is felt brightly, vanilla - more gently.
- Cardamom plus orange , which are also taken in equal proportions.
- Blueberries, orange, vanilla. Proportions of such a mix: ½, ¼, ¼. You can add a little cinnamon to these components.
Conclusion
So, the types of tobacco for hookah are very diverse. There are many, and even more manufacturers of such a product. So, every lover of hookah smoking has the opportunity to choose a product that perfectly matches their taste and material capabilities. However, do not forget that smoking any type of tobacco (even nicotine-free) is not absolutely harmless to health. The choice is yours.