Hookah Bars: The Next Big Thing?

In the past, cigars have been the ‘gourmet smoke’ for those wishing to break out of the conventional, cigarette-smoking mold. Crafted from higher-grade tobaccos and hand-rolled in exotic lands, cigars have become a true contender to the additive-infused cigarettes of modern day. Cigars have become so popular, in fact, that they have cropped up an entire industry that is based around their existence. Cigar and specialty tobacco shops are evidence of the profit to be made from selling tobacco in a different form factor than that of the cigarette. In addition to cigar shops, cigar bars have proven that smoking-tailored establishments can be both socially-acceptable and huge profit centers for their owners. It is society’s acceptance of the cigar bar that makes hookah bars and hookah cafes a possibility!

There is no doubt that the tobacco industry has seen better days and, from the aftermath of the Big Tobacco lawsuits, it’s a wonder that these companies are still around. Did you know that there are over 600 legally-allowed additives that tobacco companies can add to their cigarettes? That’s an amazing cocktail of chemicals that cigarette smokers are putting into their bodies every time they choose to light up! In comparison, today’s hookah tobacco, commonly referred to as shisha (pronounced: shee-sha), is comprised only of a handful of natural ingredients. These ingredients are typically tobacco, all-natural glycerin or honey, sugar and natural flavorings. That’s 596 additives short of what could be in a normal, run-of-the-pack cigarette! It’s facts like these that bring most people to believe that hookah smoking is a less-harmful alternative to smoking cigarettes. Unfortunately, no major study has been performed to evaluate the health effects of smoking hookah. So, we’ll have to wait for a definitive answer to that question.

When the Turkish invented the hookah centuries ago, they did so with one goal in mind. Up to that time, tobacco had been smoked in pipes that are reminiscent of American Indian peace pipes. When smoking from these pipes, the smoke was at a temperature very close to the burning tobacco itself. Someone came up with the idea of filtering the smoke through water to cool the smoke to an enjoyable temperature. The simplicity of the hookah made it an instant hit and has been a major reason why hookahs are still prevalent in so many Eastern cultures. Though not originally planned when the hookah was invented, the water that the smoke passes through actually acts as a natural filter that helps filter tar and other impurities created when tobacco is smoked. Many years after the hookah was invented, someone would accidentally drop their tobacco into some molasses, thus paving the way for modern hookah shisha. It was the addition of molasses, now substituted by all-natural glycerin, which slowed the rate at which the tobacco burned and actually made it possible to heat the tobacco rather than burning it. Heating tobacco results in greater flavor potential and lowers the amount of nicotine that is released while smoking.

The hookahs of today, while being modernized and updated, have remained true to their creator’s initial goal. Traditionally made of glass and brass, hookahs are now being produced of materials such as acrylic, crystal and steel. Also, the once hand-crafted art has transformed into a full-blown industry that is selling record numbers of hookahs. Hookah shisha has come of age, as well. Production of hookah shisha is at an all-time high and major manufacturers are creating more and more flavors to be consumed by customers worldwide. Flavors include everything from fruity apples and oranges to regional favorites like bubble gum and vanilla. In all, there are more than 50 different flavors to choose from and more are being added all the time. The precise mixture of ingredients has also yielded a tobacco with flavor that lasts longer. In fact, one person can smoke can smoke a bowl of tobacco for nearly an hour without having to change the tobacco.

A small number of entrepreneurs have recognized the potential of the hookah and have begun to open bars and cafes that are specifically-tailored toward the rental and sales of hookahs. In just a short period of time, they’ve proven that there is some serious money to be made in the hookah service industry for those willing to venture into seemingly unchartered territories. Most surprising is the low initial investment required to open a hookah establishment. For most locations, as little as 10 to 15 hookahs per 1,000 square feet of customer seating area is sufficient and will virtually guarantee that there are enough hookahs to go around. When purchased in larger lots, the cost of each hookah can run anywhere from $20 to $80 dollars and some wholesalers will even provide the hookahs for free if the bar or cafe agrees to purchase their hookah tobacco from the company. Rental fees for hookahs run anywhere from $10 in a hookah cafe to $25 in hookah bars! Of course, the rental plan is entirely up to the business owner and usually includes a single bowl of hookah shisha to smoke. Lower-priced refills of hookah tobacco encourage customers to stick around and socialize in the intimate environment. Most customers do not smoke by themselves, opting instead for groups of 3 to 4 people. This will reduce the longevity of each bowl of tobacco and increase the number of refills purchased by each group.

Before you can begin renting hookahs, you must first check with local, state and federal governments to ensure that you will not be breaking any laws or regulations. For most areas, a tobacco sales tax permit or license is all that is required to begin renting hookahs. Of course, this is supplemental to the typical state sales tax permit or license. You will also need to check local zoning requirements and determine the best location for your bar or cafe. There are a number of wholesalers available to get your cafe or bar up and running in the shortest amount of time possible. It is recommended that you opt for customer service and support over pennies saved, as it is often difficult to find companies that are in-tune with the North American way of doing business.

In case you cannot obtain a tobacco sales license you can opt to nicotine-free shisha. Many companies now are manufacturing this kind of shisha to counter the effect of smoking ban. While the taste is a compromise when you smoke nicotine-free shisha, some brands stimulate the real taste better than others. In Ottawa, for example, you can find many hookah bars offering nicotine-free hookahs. Most people dont mind the taste, they get busy socializing with each others rather than focus on smoke flavours.

As you can see, hookahs have edged their way into the European and American lifestyle. The cigar bars of yesterday have paved the way for a unique opportunity for the entrepreneurs of today. Hookah cafes and hookah bars stand to make millions by providing the public with something that they’ve been looking for and haven’t been able to find in the countless other cafes and bars. Hookahs bring back the social, intimate gatherings of friends that have long been lost to the hustle and bustle of modern life. Oh, and who knows? Your hookah bar or cafe could be the next big thing!

How to buy an authentic Khalil Mamoon hookah

Before making your purchase on one of these beautiful hand crafted Egyptian hookahs from the one of the most renowned hookah makers in the world, we would like to point out a few things in order to set your expectations and educate you on what an authentic Khalil Mamoon hookah consists of.

Exterior Finish of Stem

Khalil Mamoon stems are some of the most beautiful, most durable, most authentic hookah stems being made in Egypt to date. The master artisans who make them pay close attention all the details in order to provide the consumer with a good product that smokes great, is easy to maintain and lasts a lifetime. These hookahs are not machine made. They are hand-made by professionals who bend, shape, hand tap, design the metal work out of flat sheets of steel using hand tools just like the way a traditional shoemaker makes shoes.

As a result, a perfectly finished stem is non-existent. In other words, it is normal to see weld marks, minor scuffs and scratched on the stem or other marks which may occur from bending the metal such as on the top of the hose port.

If you are looking for a hookah with a perfect machine crafted finish, the Khalil Mamoon hookahs are not for you. We recommend a Chinese made one from our Modern collection or a MYA hookah, which is of high quality but also made in China.

Interior Finish of Stem

Since these hookahs are made in Egypt where dust and sand surrounds the factories, it is normal for the interior of the stem to accumulate some dirt in the manufacturing process. We advise rinsing the interior of your hookah before use and giving it a few scrubs with the provided brush in order to get rid of any grime, dust or sand which may have settled on the interior of the stem.

Glass Vases

Glass vases found on the Khalil Mamoon hookahs are hand-painted therefore designs will always vary from one vase to another. It is also normal to find small inconsistencies in the applied design since they are not applied through silkscreen or heat transfer methods. All glass is painted by hand with a brush. Like a true piece of art, no two vases will be identical in design. It is also a misconception that Khalil Mamoon makes the glass vases themselves. That is not true! Khalil Mamoon specializes in the metal work only. The glass is made by one of the handful of glass manufacturers in Egypt for Khalil Mamoon. Sometimes you will find a Khalil Mamoon stamp on the glass but that does not necessarily mean that the glass without the stamp is of inferior quality. There is no such thing as real or fake Khalil Mamoon glass. There are simply different qualities of glass.

Clay Bowls

The clay bowls provided with the Khalil Mamoon hookahs are of a large size, serve their function extremely well and have stood the test of time since they have been made the same way for at least over 50 years. Due to the density of the clay they allow for good heat transfer, which is perfect for heating your shisha. They are hand molded and shaped just like a traditional clay pot would be. Though these bowls are some of the best looking bowls coming out of Egypt, you will sometimes find small imperfections in them due to their hand-made nature. Note that these bowls will not look like the modern bowls, which are being manufactured in China nowadays.

Hoses

Khalil Mamoon hose are some of the best hoses around. They provide great pull and are aesthetically beautiful. Traditional Khalil Mamoon hoses are made of cowhide and are hand woven and glued. Due to the nature of the leather, slight changes in color may be apparent. You may also notice some excess glue where different parts of the hose are glued together. This is absolutely normal and does not affect the smoke in any way.

Fitting

Our Khalil Mamoon hookahs do not come fitted. We fit them ourselves since the fitting is never consistent straight from the factory. Our staff works hard to ensure a proper fit for your Khalil Mamoon hookah. Since the glass is made by hand, it is almost impossible to have a consistent fit from one glass to another. It is our job to fit your hookah with the correct grommet for that glass however we cannot guarantee that if you switch the glass or purchase a separate glass that it will have the same fit. A new grommet may be required if the glass is changed.

Authenticity

You know a Khalil Mamoon hookah is authentic as soon as you pick it up. However it is not as easy when making a purchase online. There are however a few things to look for when making your purchase. Khalil Mamoon almost always stamps their name on the top of the stem (where the tray sits) and on the tray. There are certain styles, which also have the Khalil Mamoon stamp on the hose port (usually found on the full cast hookahs such as the Kafae models). The hose also has a Khalil Mamoon label attached to it and in some cases the Khalil Mamoon name is also printed on the hose itself either on the handle or the main part of the hose.

A common misconception is that the spelling of the English translation of Khalil Mamoon is a way to tell its authenticity. That is not true, since there have been various translations of the name some of which are Khalil Mamoon, Khalil Mamoun and Khalil Mamon. There is a simple explanation for that, lost in translation.

Health Effects of Hookah Smoke

Smoking a hookah pipe (also known as shisha or nargila or arguily) has become a popular social activity in the United States in recent decades. Many people see hookah smoking as a good alternative to smoking cigarettes, because of the flavored tobacco available for hookahs and the apparent health advantages of smoking through a pipe rather than smoking cigarettes. But is the hookah’s reputation as a healthy option really justified? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of hookah smoking from a health perspective.

The supposed health benefits of smoking through a hookah are largely based on the fact that the smoke is passed through water before it reaches the smoker’s lips. The hookah was first developed in India after tobacco became popular as a way to reduce the harshness of the smoke on the body and make smoking a more pleasurable experience. Flavored tobacco soon followed the innovation of smoking through water.

However, there is no real evidence that smoking through a hookah reduces the health risks associated with inhaling smoke itself. The water does cool the smoke and make it easier on the throat, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that it isn’t doing any damage to the smoker’s body. In fact, the World Health Organization has conducted research that indicates hookah smoke is equally as harmful and dangerous as cigarette smoke. So the filtration process of the hookah does not guarantee safer smoke.

That said, there are some advantages that come from what you actually smoke through the hookah. You don’t necessarily have to smoke tobacco through a hookah – there are alternative herbal shisha options which can be much better on the body. Hookah tobacco also tends to be much lower on nicotine content and devoid of many of the more harmful substances found in cigarettes, such as tar.

But still, you have to be careful of the amount of smoke you inhale. It is easy to inhale much more smoke from a round of hookah smoking than you would from a normal cigarette, meaning that even though the tobacco may be lower in nicotine, you end up consuming more through the sheer volume of smoke you take in. As with anything, moderation is the key to enjoying hookah smoke. A study in Pakistan showed that people who smoke only through a hookah have a lower risk of developing cancer than people who smoke only cigarettes, but for heavy hookah users, that risk goes way up. If you’re concerned about the possibility of nicotine addiction, stick to smoking herbal varieties.

Looking to buy wholesale hookahs? Consider these tips.

With the growing popularity and attractiveness of hookah smoking and hookah lounges, wholesale hookahs now represent a tremendous value. The name wholesale attached to hookah does not mean buying unattractive or cheaply made hookah product. It indeed means buying the best quality hookahs in bulk at the most affordable rates. Modern day hookahs come in a variety of lovely designs. They are exquisite works of craftsmanship that combine the beauty of the hookah to become the part of the joy and aesthetic pleasure of hookah smoking.

Hookahs can add variety to an existing bar, a restaurant, tobacco shop, a smoking lounges and the common room of your home. The things that go into the making of a hookah including the use of hand blown glasses in different colours, use of highly glazed ceramics, wooden pieces carved into beautiful designs, steel and brass worked into graceful curves of the hookah structure etc can make the place of its presence an attractive corner. The style range of hookahs began from traditional Egyptian, Indian, Lebanese, Chinese or Syrian and now found place in the forms of modern interpretations of classic hookah, rotating hookah, and more.

If you are looking to buy a lot of wholesale hookahs, the important things to consider are the quality of the crafted design and the sturdiness of materials used to make hookahs. The best materials that stand up excellently well to the test of time and durability are stainless steel, ceramic, Pyrex glass and stone. Such materials are sturdy enough to be reliably molded in making hookahs as they can be repeatedly used for that everlasting pleasurable smoking experience.

The experience of smoking a hookah slowly, among friends and out of time is all that one needs to create a relaxed space for himself. Thus before buying wholesale hookahs for your business or your home, research the subject a bit over the internet to become familiar with the best materials and products. After all, the hookah that pleases you the most will ultimately enhance your smoking experience.

Where to buy in Canada? Check http://www.arguily.com/ and http://www.myhookah.ca/ they both share a 6,000 sq. ft warehouse in Ottawa, Ontario.

How to Hookah – General Tips.

You can make your hookah smoking experience more exciting and fun by following some of these tips and tricks.

1. If you long to try some cool light effect, try placing one glow stick in the vase making sure that it doesn’t get damaged in any way.
2. Store your flavored tobaccos in air tight containers at the room temperature to taste fresh and last longer.
3. It’s good to blow into the hose after every smoke to clear the Hookah chamber of stale smoke.
4. You can create you own flavors by mixing different flavors in a bowl. The most common blends are mint with any flavor, apple and strawberry blend etc.
5. For that cooler smoking experience, you can place some ice in the vase. Or you can put your glass base into the freezer for few minutes till the upper layer of water forms a thin layer of ice.
6. You can also try some lemon juice, wine or cranberry juice to enhance your smoking experience.
7. To experience a thicker smoke, fill your vase first with water and then fill milk in the remaining space.
8. For that fruity smoke, try mixing some berries with water in the hookah base.
   

Enjoyed your hookah? Now some Cleaning tips

Cleaning the hookah and its accessories at the end of every hookah session is very important. Use cleaning brushes for both shaft and vase to clean the hookah after every smoke.

You can use some lukewarm water to remove the residues of smoke that usually build up on the inside of the Hookah Hose and Shaft.

You should not wash your hookah hose unless it is a washable Hookah Hose. At http://www.myhookah.ca/ you will some good quality washable hoses.

If your hookah has a thick glass base that has no paint on it, then it may be washed in a dishwasher. But your hookah base is of thinner glass or with some metallic decoration; we recommend not to wash it in dishwasher. Rather use your hands to wash it and leave the base to air dry.

Different Types of Hookah – Choose your type to enhance the smoking experience.
“A little attention to detail can save a frustrating experience later on”, well said by someone that gives you a reason to think why you should decide to choose a hookah that well fits your requirement. By just browsing through the pictures, one cannot really make out what he is in need of and what he will get. Here is a little help that may guide you to decide what kind of hookah you are really looking for.

Egyptian hookahs: Also known to be the traditional sort that can be seen in many authentic hookah lounges and bars. Taller in height, usually around three feet, offering exceptional smoke are one of the excellent pieces to have around the house. Since these types of hookahs are heavy to move around, they do not make a good portable option. Major factory is Khalil Maamoon factory in the suburbs of Cairo. www.myhookah.ca carries some authentic Khalil Maamoon hookahs.

Syrian hookahs: The smoke offered by this type of hookah in unparallel to any of the other varieties. Stylish, sturdy, uncommon pieces seemly crafted to provide you with that ultimate pleasure of smoking.

Turkish hookahs: These varieties come in all shapes and sizes ranging from very small to unbelievable large pieces. Usually used as a group hookah, these come with two or more hookah hoses to make the sharing convenient. Turkish hookahs are magnificent pieces to become part of every living or common rooms.

Bohemian Hookahs: Huge but well constructed varieties that have a certain charm to them. These are far more stable as they feature a threading system that guarantees no leakage and makes them far more stable. So, you can get all the smoke you want. Most come in nice stainless steel box for ease of portability and all pieces fit in their reserved spot in the box.

Lebanese hookahs: Ornate pieces often having bases wrapped in beautifully crafted metal work and decorated with jewels adoring the bass. These varieties are stylish, elegant and shiny often catching onlooker’s attention and thus are definite conversation starters among people.
Modern hookahs: Modern day hookahs are a crowing touch to old-traditional hookah styles and new-world luxury and convenience style. A lot of varieties can be found in rotating styles with flamboyant stems and bases perfectly fitting your on-the-go-lifestyle. Portability is one of the key factors in most of the modern day hookahs and this is the reason that makes them a definite contender for use at home. Many websites sell Lebanese hookahs including www.myhookah.ca


I hope that this article was quite a help to you. So, the next time you go for a hookah shopping, find out from where the varieties offered to you have come from. A little knowledge can save you from buying a hookah that does not fit your requirement completely. If you know what is important to you and what will pacify you the most, you can make your smoking experience a real joy for life.