The Charm of Shisha
by Cyra Miles on 04/12/08 at 1:20 am
A tradition that originated hundred years back, shisha continues its popularity nowadays.
A tradition that originated hundred years back, shisha continues its popularity nowadays. It is in fact considered as a social smoking in Middle East.
Shishas are commonly served in Shisha cafes which usually have an indoor and outdoor section. On winter season when the weather is very pleasant, outdoor is the most favored area. The choices for shisha flavours can stretch from apricot, apple, mint, grape rose and more.
Also known as hookah or hubbly bubbly, shisha is generally a meter high with an attached water pipe used for smoking. The tobacco is placed in the head or bowl like container, which is usually made of clay, and it is covered with a piece of tin foil. The pieces of small coals are then placed on top.
One of the essential parts of shisha is the water jar that is located at the bottom. Its purpose is to purify the smoke from the tobacco and then the smoke comes out through the sanction tube that is used for smoking. To have a smoother smoke, you can add ice, fruit juice or mint leaves with lemon slices in the bottom of the water jar.
It seems to be a complicated process but shisha cafes have attendants to look after your shisha like adding or replacing newly lit coals.
So in your next visit to Middle East, don’t resist the charm of shisha.
Liked it
goodselfme
Dec 4th, 2008
Interesting post. I traveled to Egypt and many people were smoking something like this.
Debra.
Dec 4th, 2008
Interesting article. Although I have never heard of Shisha smoking; however, I have heard of other types similar to this in other places. God bless, Cyra. Very interesting.
Inna Tysoe
Dec 4th, 2008
Interesting.
Regards,
Inna
Christine Ramsay
Dec 4th, 2008
An interesting article. I have never heard of this before.
Christine
luv2write
Dec 4th, 2008
Being an indian, I am more familiar with the word ‘hookah’ Very well-written and great pic. Cyra..!
Johaubannah
Dec 4th, 2008
Love the history.
Peter Cimino
Dec 4th, 2008
Very interesting and well done.
yvan
Dec 4th, 2008
I see some of these in the movies. Hehehe!
Anyway, thanks for dropping by.
jacque
Dec 4th, 2008
i tried this before, it was apple flavored
Hein Marais
Dec 6th, 2008
eddiego65
Dec 7th, 2008
Great post! I learned something new! Thanks!
Matt H
Dec 21st, 2008
Wow! This is the first time I’ve heard of this hahaha! I enjoyed it
-Matt
Adam Henry Sears
Jan 9th, 2009
Hi, Cyra, how are you?
How did you ever hear of shisha? You must have been travelling? Anyway, although I like to learn about other cultures, I just don’t see how shisha could benefit anyone. It just looks like another way to smoke, to me. Forgive me for sounding like a stick in the mud, thanks for sharing, and have a good one.
hfj
Jan 14th, 2009
Sounds similar to some of the objects used back in the hippie era for smoking pot. Shisha may be the very source where these ideas came from. Interesting article.
Melody SJAL
Mar 14th, 2009
This is the first time I heard about it. Nice to know, thanks.
bag charm
Apr 5th, 2011
like your share.