In this article we will tell you about a product such as tobacco for hookah. The types, tastes, aromas and quality of this product can be estimated by a relatively small number of smokers. Cigarettes with an undeniable advantage are much more popular in the world - they are easy to carry. Hookah is created for relaxation and leisurely smoking - it is almost a meditative process. And addicted to it, appreciating the variety of tastes, is quite easy. So, how to choose tobacco for hookah?
Kinds
There are a dozen varieties of plants suitable for making tobacco. Some types of raw materials are stronger, others are lightweight. Each of them finds its application - it goes to the production of cigars, cigarettes, pipe or hookah tobacco, etc. Moreover, the raw materials for each of the categories of the final product are very noticeably different from the rest.
For example, cigarette tobacco will be drier and finer, it is almost dust, while hookah uses mixtures that often contain glycerin, honey, fruits, berries and other ingredients. What types of tobacco are there for hookah? There are three main groups that have noticeable differences among themselves.
Mixes
For hookahs, raw materials are used, which can be one of three types: maassil, beetle or tombak. All of them are popular in various countries and among various connoisseurs, although they have serious differences among themselves. Maassil appeared relatively recently in Egypt, but instantly gained enormous popularity - it is this moist and aromatic mass that we are used to perceiving as ordinary tobacco for hookah. The types and tastes of mixtures of this type are innumerable. Slices of fruit are added there, soaked in water or sugar syrup, glycerin is added. In short, the final product is not much like raw materials.
Tombak, on the contrary, is very close to the natural properties of tobacco, it is almost not processed. Thus, the mixture is very strong and saturated. The only difference between this type of tobacco and, for example, cigar tobacco is high humidity. In an effort to reduce the strength of the mixture, the raw materials are soaked for several days in water, which allows to slightly reduce the amount of nicotine in the leaves. This species is not very popular in the world and is mainly distributed in Iran, Turkey and some other countries of the Middle East.
Zhurak is tobacco for a hookah, the types and properties of which are something between two types of mixtures already listed. It is a raw material in which molasses and oil are added, but on a much smaller scale compared to maassil, so that the original taste is preserved.
Features of the production process
Different types of tobacco for hookah are made in various ways - this is obvious. Nevertheless, these processes have something in common. Firstly, high-quality raw materials are taken for hookahs. For the species, the tombak is the black tobacco of Burley or Doha, for the Maassille - the Virginia variety or its subspecies Gold. Crane can combine both.
To begin with, tobacco leaves are crushed. It is worth saying that the slicing in this case is larger than, for example, for cigarettes. After that, they are soaked. The process takes several days. The longer this takes place, the less will be the final strength of tobacco. Then, depending on what particular type of mixture is needed, further processing takes place, the addition of additional ingredients, etc.Then the packaging takes place: the maassille and the crane, as more humid species, are packed in a sealed plastic bag, and then - in cardboard, glass or sheet metal, and the tombak - simply in paper. After that, the mixture is completely ready for sale.
The properties
For the first time opening a package, not everyone expects to see such a substance inside. As already mentioned, the mixture of maassil is not much like tobacco, rather it resembles a thick aromatic jam. This should not be scared - it should be so. Moreover, in order to keep the mixture usable for the longest possible time, it is best to place it in an impermeable container and place it in a refrigerator or just in a cool place. This will extend the shelf life of tobacco after opening the package. A mixture of tombac type does not require special storage conditions, but it must be soaked before use.
Tastes
Each person has his own preferences and ideas about what is good, pleasant and beautiful, and what is not. This also applies to the choice of tastes and aromas for hookah tobacco. Some people like fresh sourness, others prefer a minty note, still others cannot stand anything but fruits. Specialty stores offer such variety that they simply run their eyes. But still, in fact, this is one and the same raw material, just with different additives, so there should not be any serious differences in quality.
It is difficult to unequivocally advise where to begin with a beginner. This is a field of pure experiments, as a result of which they develop their own unique mixtures and recipes. Nevertheless, any employee of a specialized store will be able to talk about the most popular and popular tastes, such as blueberries with mint or a mixture of tropical fruits.
Famous brands
In Russia, in specialized stores both Russian and foreign tobacco for hookah are presented. The types offered by the domestic manufacturer, unfortunately, noticeably lose to foreign counterparts in quality, which affects demand. The most popular brands for hookah on the market are Al Fakher, Nakhla, Starbuzz, Romman, Tangiers, Fumari, Fantasia and some others. They have established themselves as manufacturers of a quality product.
Use
It is not enough to choose the right tobacco. Any specialist will say that the result also depends on the hookah itself, its content, even on coal and foil. What can we say that the correct ratio of all ingredients is also extremely important. What matters is a glass vessel or some other, as well as the temperature that is created in the bowl, and much more. That is why it is not necessary to reject certain types of tobacco for hookah, trying to cook them yourself without the appropriate experience.
It is better to entrust this to professionals who know how to regulate temperature and pressure, and also do not allow the raw materials to quickly burn out and start to be bitter. In addition, experts are able to ensure uniform smoldering and full disclosure of taste and aroma. An expert in his business will be able to point out the different types of tobacco for hookah and their features, as well as help with the choice of taste.
Harm to health
Many hookah lovers justify their passion for the fact that such tobacco use is much less harmful than cigarette smoking. It is a myth. In fact, everything is completely different. The fact is that in a hookah, tobacco is more humid, it dries, not smolders, but contains much more nicotine than a cigarette. Moreover, it is larger in number, cutting is larger, but due to the fact that smoke passes through water or another liquid, it seems lighter.
According to scientists, the product for a single use of hookah has several times more harmful substances, especially for non-nicotine mixtures, which, as some people think, can be used almost uncontrollably.This, of course, does not mean that such ways of spending leisure time should be prohibited, but nevertheless, any smoker, no matter what he prefers, should be careful and attentive to his health. In addition, you need to remember that all types of tobacco for a hookah, pipe or cigarette are harmful.