There are many misconceptions about what interesting things can be poured into a hookah base to achieve the most exquisite taste sensations when smoking. First of all, it is necessary to avoid extremes, such as using expensive wine or cognac in their pure form. Most likely, you will not enjoy such a smoky device at all. Extremes have no place here. To create a great composition for the hookah base, it is worth experimenting a little or simply relying on our advice.
Interestingly, Arabian pirates were the first to try pouring a different liquid into the hookah instead of water. At that time, they, of course, used alcohol as an alternative. With time, it turned out that if some juice is used, it can better emphasize the taste of tobacco even better than any alcoholic drink. Be that as it may, let’s consider the matter in order.
Water for the hookah base, as the main component.
One of the main rules of an experienced hookah smoker sounds like this: never use tap water. The subtle smell of chlorine will leave its unpleasant trace even with the most saturated, aromatic smoke. If you have no other choice and only have tap water available, then it is advisable to first pour it into a wide container and let it settle for some time. The best water for the hookah is store-bought water that has gone through all stages of filtration. It can even be bottled sparkling water, but before using it, it is best to release the gas as much as possible.
The logic here is simple: the water should not have any taste, and above all, it should emphasize the existing taste of the tobacco. Based on this, another fact follows – the liquid, whatever it may be, should be diluted with plain water to avoid a high concentration of any components.
Even when buying very good tobacco, be prepared for the fact that over time, the natural flavorings used will lose their taste. And at that moment, the liquid used comes to the rescue. For example, if you take your favorite juice, it will immediately transform your taste sensations, giving you a rich and aromatic vapor.
Ice, Spices, and Fresh Fruits.
Once you’ve settled on your liquid, even if it’s plain water, you can enhance it with pieces of fresh fruit, berries, or spices. Remember that if you use small particles, they can easily get into the hose and create unpleasant sensations for the smoker.
To bring in light fresh aromas, a few mint or lemon balm leaves can be added. Mint-flavored tobacco will give a richer taste, but it cannot compare to the fresh aroma of the leaves.
Pieces of fruits or berries are unlikely to add much in terms of taste, but they will look great in the base. A particularly beautiful picture will form during draws when the water ripples slightly and the fruits move around the base in a chaotic manner. It is recommended to add ice every time you smoke hookah because it effectively cools the smoke.
However, too much ice can actually be detrimental, as it can take away a significant portion of the flavor. While it’s not advisable to over-chill fruit-flavored liquid, spices, flowers, or abstract aromas can be paired well with ice.
How does milk manifest itself in the hookah base?
How plausible is the opinion that milk in the hookah cleanses the smoke and does not harm the body? This is a very doubtful statement, but nonetheless, the taste of hookah with milk is obviously wonderful. The combination of milk and water in a 1:2 ratio is called “Irish Cream”. If the milk is not diluted and poured in its pure form, it will start foaming heavily and easily get into the hose.
Interesting preparation of hookah on tea.
In fact, you are very rarely offered a hookah on tea in a pub or relaxation area for recreation. The peculiarity of smoking on tea is that the hot drink absorbs any tobacco aromas. It is necessary to carefully select the components of the tea, as you will essentially be smoking it. It can be exclusively green or black tea, or even a fruit mix. “Delicious” blends include mint, citrus, cherry, plum, and green apple. A spicier taste can be achieved with cinnamon, cloves, or star anise. To prepare such a hookah, the tea is brewed directly in the base. It’s important that the base can withstand a rapid temperature change and not crack. It’s best to cover the base with a towel after brewing the tea to maintain the temperature longer. The taste of hookah on tea is very interesting. Hookah enthusiasts agree that smoking it is easy while enjoying the aftertaste of the tea components.
Alcohol.
As for alcohol, we categorically do not recommend using it, even heavily diluted with water. The aroma it adds to your tobacco may be interesting, but it’s definitely not worth it. Using alcohol greatly enhances the harmful effects of hookah! As a result, instead of pleasant experiences, you risk getting poisoning, headaches, nausea, and other unwanted reactions.
What’s the ultimate result?
Ultimately, nothing beats water. However, with intelligence and carefully adding interesting ingredients to the water, you can diversify your smoking experience and discover new taste dimensions.