Keep Calm and Hookah On

Florida is a melting pot of different cultures, and thanks to that we are constantly learning new traditions brought to the United States by other countries. One of the things that has been gaining popularity is Hookah Bars and Cafes.

History
Hookah is an authentic eastern water pipe. Depending on the region it has many different names like: Shisha, Sheesha, Nargeela, Argeela, and Nargile. Although there were a lot of countries that played a hand in making it popular, the main countries that played a part in the origin of the hookah are India, Iran, Egypt, and Syria. Hookah smoking has become an integral part of Middle Eastern culture up until today. Although every country maintains its originality, the purpose of smoking a hookah is the same: harmony and relaxation.

At first, the hookah was made out of a coconut shell, but it was believed to be bad for your health. It eventually became very popular in coffee shops in the country of Turkey during the 17th century. It was there that it completed its revolution. A new system, which included a glass vase filled with water, was introduced and a similar set up is used today.

Westernization
While smoking hookah was introduced in the U.S. in the 1960's, this ancient practice only began to become popular in mainstream America in the last several years. Hookah bars are especially popular around college campuses. Not too long ago, hookah tobacco could only be found in Arabic grocery stores and specialty smoke shops, and the selection was limited. Today's hookah smoker has dozens of brands of hookah tobacco to choose from in hundreds of different flavors.

Flavors of Today
A lot of avid smokers still prefer the original Turkish Tobacco and its strong flavors, but other types of flavored tobacco seem to be the most popular in the United States. Hookah tobacco, most commonly known as Shisha, is made from tobamel, a kind of tobacco leaf with honey and fruit pulp. This allows for manufacturers to produce a plethora of flavors. Some of the most common include: apple, cherry, apricot, watermelon, vanilla, honey, and licorice. Other extreme flavors like lemon-cola, cappuccino, and jasmine are also available. Because the mixture is dark and wet, hookah charcoals are used to keep it lit.

There has been a lot of research on hookah smoking, and, like any other tobacco product, it has health risks. Hookah smoking is still smoking and should not be consumed by adults over 18.