Hello again everyone!

I wanted to take some time to dedicate on trying to get this Hookah Blog buzzing again.

I want to see if anyone has attempted to make some homemade flavors, for I have thought about trying out my own creations. I know that molasses, natural flavors/extracts, and tobacco (either flavored/unflavored are key ingredients. I decided to try a basic vanilla flavored tobacco, seeming that it would be rather simple to create. I used a basic tobacco pipe, some vanilla extract, and molasses. I didn’t really take good measurements, but it turned out not being too bad. I believe that I used a bit too much of the vanilla, for it tasted a bit burnt once the coal was reaching its peak temperature.

So, I think it would be great if there could be some feedback on some other homemade recipes, as well as what ingredients/ tobaccos are best when creating these homemade tobaccos.

Check out the hookahloungestore.net for the most current tobaccos, coals, hookahs, accessories, and anything Hookah!

Enjoy your Friday smoke,

Jeff

Categories: Tobacco
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When thinking of a good all around tobacco product, many Hookah smoker’s will cite Nakhla is a good mid range product. If you’re looking to take it to the next level, however, and you’re willing to pay a premium, then you’ll likely want Al Fakher Hookah Tobacco. Al Fakher hails from the United Arab Emirates, is made with high quality French Tobacco Leaves, and is now considered one of the most popular tobacco products in the world. If you head to the Middle East and you’re looking for premium tobacco, this is likely what you’ll receive.

Al Fakher is known for its rich flavor, and offers a wide variety of flavored tobaccos for you to try. From green grape to strawberry to orange, cherry, and apple. Unlike some of the more artificial tastes of Nakhlah’s flavored line, Al Fakher offers a more rich natural flavor. As such you’ll likely be able to recognize the distinct flavor without even asking or seeing the packaging beforehand.

Many users report enjoying this particular aspect of the product, and like the unique flavor and taste offered. Al Fakher products also produce thick, fluffy white clouds when smoked, a testament to the quality of the tobacco. Another advantage of choosing Al Fakher as your tobacco of choice is that they offer primarily single flavor hookah tobacco products. This means that its easy to mix and match different flavors to experiment or to find the perfect tobacco for a number of different tastes.

The cut of the Al Fakher tobacco is typically a little less than medium cut, not usually too fine, and with just enough moisture so that its not too drippy. Its also known for its longetitivity, providing you with a sufficient bang for your buck. Also keep in mind that Al Fakher tobacco is quite sensitive to climate changes. A high altitude or a drastic humidity change can make too wet or too dry to smoke in short order. As such its best to acclimate the tobacco to the current climate by opening the container for a few hours before you begin smoking.

Of course, quality does not come without its price. On average, Al Fakher products sell for roughly twice the price of Nakhla. However its a quality product is and nice to have around, especially when entertaining guests. Al Fakher also consistently scores well when reviewed, particularly so with some of their more interesting flavors like watermelon and cinnamon.

Categories: Al Fakher
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A new hookah cafe has opened in West Lafayette , Indiana (Where I‌ live). We already had one hookah cafe, but I guess the owners of the new place saw enough demand to open a second one in the town (2 minute walking distance from the other one).

The owners of the Egyptian Cafe claim they don’t want to be come a “Hookah Bar” rather a “homey” lounge. No matter hat they do, I love the fact that we have a new place merely because competition makes both places better for us - the customers.

I came to Egyptian Cafe the first night they opened and wasn’t impressed. I wanted to give them a second try before I write a review. So I went there today again and here is the review:

Pros: I like their decorations and the atmosphere. It feels very Middle Eastern. They have Middle Eastern - Spanish arcs, pillows, and generally a good atmosphere. (Their bathroom was clean too - unlike the other Middle Eastern lounges and restaurants in town). Their location is also very good.

Cons: Ok! Here come the bad parts:

Food: I had food twice there and don’t think I will again. I had the Lamb‌ Kabob today. It was $12. It had very small amount of rice, just 4 pieces of meat and the rice was cooked bad. My friends who had their sandwiches were not happy with the food either. The price might not be bad, but there are other places close to campus that offer better quality for cheaper or same price.

Hookahs: They use Nakhla tobacco and Layalina which are both the cheapest tobaccos available on the market. The prices are $8.99 and $9.99. But the old Hookah Cafe offers hookahs at the same price with Al Fakher and better tobaccos (Hookah Cafe (the old one) has better tobaccos too but more expensive).

The colas that Egyptian Cafe uses are bad. They are very large and make the tobacco burn faster, they give extra taste and smell to the tobacco too.

The hookahs themselves are nice, but without good tobacco, coal, and service that means nothing.

Service: First time I‌ went to Egyptian Cafe, I ordered Grape Leaves. Our server brought it out. I told my friends “This is rather dry food, it shouldn’t be, and it usually comes with a sauce.” Anyways, we finished the grape leaves and 10 minutes after the server comes back and says “Oh, I forgot to gave you the sauce for the grape leaves”.

Generally they don’t have good service right now, I think mostly due to the fact that they are new. Also, the servers hookah knowledge is rather limited.

Other: I was eating there today and saw an old lady that worked in the kitchen (Someone told me she is the owner’s wife), smoking cigarettes in the kitchen. I’m sure there are health laws against that.

Sorry that I don’t have any pictures of the place, I will try to take some pictures and update this post later.

Conclusion: I don’t like the place. I think in a month or two they will realize that they can not survive in this business (given their already established competition) with continuing the same quality of food/service/hookah. And then they will change. But until then, I’m going to stick to the old hookah cafe and other coffee shops around the Purdue campus.

Categories: Hookah Bars
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I have started a journey to smoke every Starbuzz tobacco flavor and write a review about it on the blog.

The Starbuzz Blue-Mist is a mix of Blueberry and Mint. The flavor was balanced very evenly. The blueberry can be smelled along side with the fresh mint breeze. The mint flavor doesn’t overkill the blueberry. The tobacco didn’t have harsh burns either. Overall I liked the flavor very much and think I would order it again.

You can buy the Starbuzz bluemist flavor in our hookah store.

Categories: Starbuzz
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