People smoke hookah for several reasons. Perhaps they are looking to relax or meditate. Other’s find the flavour sensation exhilarating, and for some, it may a first-time experience; exciting and thrilling in one breathtaking inhale. But whatever the reason, the anticipated result is enjoyment.
However, occasionally, the experience does not live up to the expectation. People have, at times, mentioned issues such as the feeling of a scratchy, raspy throat, or an unpleasant taste sensation.
So, how can you prevent this from happening? Here are some tips to have a fresh tasking hookah and make the most out of your session.
Use Ice and Cold water
So, let’s start with the basics. How does a hookah work? Unlike traditional cigarettes where you are absorbing the smoke directly into your throat and lungs, a hookah uses water filtration. As the smoke passes through the water, it softens the sensation on the throat.
The water is the key. To get the best, smoothest, result from your hookah, it is best to use cold water. The colder the water, the fresher the experience. As you begin to smoke, your water will become warmer, however, by starting with warm, or room temperature water, you are speeding up the process for the water temperature increase, and thus reducing the ‘cool-sensation’ timeline.
Fresh Tobacco is Key
The saying “fresh is best” is just as true for tobacco.
Not all tobaccos are created equal. Avoid using tobacco that has been ‘stashed’ for a long period of time, as it’s likely lost its freshness and may even have a stale, or damp aroma. Obviously, this will not feel great on your throat.
Fresher tobacco will ALWAYS deliver a fresher, enhanced, more enjoyable, experience. Tuah Herbal has a variety of Shisha flavours ensuring you an amazing shisha experience.
Blow Some Air into the Pipe
An underappreciated best practice when smoking a hookah is to blow some air into the bottle from time to time. The idea is simple. Smoke gets trapped inside and if it doesn’t get replaced, it becomes stale.
You must always use quality hookah pipes. Old, or uncleaned pipes, will, over time, gradually build up an undesirable odour, that is likely to negatively impact the taste, and aroma, with each huff.
Just Use Enough Tobacco
It’s natural to want to experiment with flavours – especially if you have purchased several of our Tuah Herbal flavour sensations. It’s also common for people to think, “the more I put in the better and stronger the flavour” – however, this is not the case. In hookah, there is a ‘Goldilocks’ ideal level, where the amount of tobacco and the sensation of smoking is ‘just right’; and it’s not achieved by stuffing too much tobacco.
With your hookah, as with many things in life, less is more, and if in doubt, you will get a better experience with a smaller amount of shisha, than an over-filled bowl.
Use a Vortex Bowl
You don’t necessarily have to use a vortex bowl but be sure not to allow burnt tobacco to get inside the bottle. That includes making sure the holes of your bowl are not covered with ash, and keeping it clean throughout the session. Having good quality hookah bowls means you will have a great overall shisha experience.
In the event that tobacco juice or ash does get through, it will contaminate your water. With enough of it and it can start to affect the taste and freshness of every puff you make.
Go for Natural Coal
There are two types of coal used in hookah smoking. One is natural, and the other is called instant. If you want a fresher, natural taste, always go for natural coal. However, when using natural coal, be patient, as it can take some time to heat up, unlike instant coal. But your patience will be rewarded with a better tasting product. If you’ve had varying experiences with hookahs, chances are, different coal products were used.
Replace the Water
To ensure you get the best from your hookah, always use fresh water for every new session. Additionally, if you are having a long hookah session, we advise to replace the water at some point. As smoke is filtered through the water, it is only a matter of time before it degrades from use, and contamination, to can impact the overall taste of your shisha.
Hookahs Should Taste Great
As you inhale, the sensation should be cool, aromatic, and calming. Your throat should not feel sharp, and your body should begin to feel relaxed. If this isn’t you’re experience, it’s time to review. Go through the steps above, check the quality of your shisha, and ensure your pipes are clean, and without any unpleasant aroma, make sure your water is fresh and your coal is natural.
Smoking hookah shouldn’t be hard work – it should be a relaxing, soothing, experience, that leaves a smile on your face and your body and muscles released of your daily stresses. A little be of preparation will ensure your enjoyment ?