Hookah
special fruit
flavored tobacco
Orange
Melon
Cappuccino
Apple
Mint
Coconut
Peach
Apricot
Grape
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The Hookah, (also known as a water pipe, nargella/arghileh, sisha, kalyan, ghelyoon or ghalyan, or hubble-bubble) a traditional device for smoking, is said to have originated over a thoushand years ago in India. It operates by water- filtration and indirect heat. The original design, believed by most to have come from India or Persia, was primitively made from coconut shell and reeds. The coconut milk was originally used to filter the Hookah smoke, via two holes bored into the shell. Later, with the smoking of herbs becoming more widespread, someone eventually adapted the common pipe to cool and purify the smoke by running it through water. This new method would prove to withstand the tests of travel and time and would allow for a more pleasurable smoking experience than with it's predecessor.
The Hookah made it's way through the Persian Kingdom, which included Afghanistan, Pakistan, much of Middle Asia and Arab parts of North Africa. The Hookah's crafted in Persia are still hand made with each one being cut from a piece of wood.
Roughly 500 years ago the Hookah's recognition began to surge due to it's popularity with the upper class and intellectuals in places like Turkey. Because of this, the devices grew in size and complexity and became similar to designs that are more common today. Brass and glass were added to the design and less wood was used. To make them appear more beautiful and elegant, intricate paintings and mosaics were added. Hookahs were made for all classes of society. Sultans and sheiks encrusted their Hookahs with precious jewels from their vast fortunes.
Hookah coffee shops in Turk society grew in popularity two to three century's ago. Today Hookah bars are social places where many people gather to talk politics and local events.
Smoking a Hookah gives one the time to think. It instills the virtues of patience and tolerance, and gives you an appreciation of good company.
Hookah Tobacco
The most commonly used tobacco is called Shisha. This tobacco is often mixed with dried fruit, natural extracts and artificial flavorings to produce a varied array of tobacco flavors ranging from apple, grape, cherry, coconut, vanilla, cappuccino and mint (just to name a few) all of which have a cooling effect on the throat. Shisha tobacco is said to have originated when a smoker used molasses to give some density to the dark shredded tobacco leaves (refered to as Tombeik in Iran) and suddenly this kind of smoking was in vogue. Shisha is very light and flavorful with a striking fruity aroma. Please try one of our many tobaccos after a great meal. We say puff and relax!
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