We have seen several changes in the past few years. While some  industries have seen gains, others have been completely wiped out in those months. Even the hookah industry has encountered major changes. Smoking shisha in 2010 and in 2020 feels like two different dimensions. In today’s Amy Deluxe blog, we will explore how the shisha world has transformed over the last decade and where it is heading. 

Global Expansion of Shisha

The year 2010 marked a turning point in the history of the shisha industry. Many factors together had a major impact that made hookah a major industry and a crucial part of our modern society. It was particularcly influenced by the homecoming of American forces designated in Irag after several years of war. Upon return, they were accompanied with their shisha smoking habits picked up in the Middle East, creating a surge in demand and expansion of shisha smoking across the USA. This resulted in the increase of online retailers, growth in imports from the Middle East countries, and more innovative Hookah products. The demand for shisha has risen to a level never reached before. The boom in shisha smoking not only influenced the USA but also the entire world. Today, 10 years later, the hookah is reshaped with revolutionary hookah accessories and shisha palates. Every day, there is something new getting introduced. Now, there are products manufactured by Hookah companies from Germany, Russia, as well as Canada that got loved and recognized globally.

Hookah Revolution: From Traditional to Modern Hookahs

Initially, there were only kinds of hookahs available on the market. First, the traditional hookahs that were mainly manufactured in countries in the Middle East like Turkey, Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, and others were the cheaply manufactured Chinese versions of the original ones. Back to present, the shisha industry has expanded globally. Now, we have Brazilian cachimbas, German wasserpfeifes, Russian water pipes, and more (these are the different names of hookahs in different countries world wide). As Hookah Shisha gained popularity, the global market jumped in to seize the amazing opportunity to innovate. As a result of years of development and innovation, we have modern hookahs. While traditional hookahs continue to be popular, these modern hookahs featuring sleek and minimalist designs, manufactured in aluminum and stainless steel, have succeeded in becoming the new trend these days.

Expanding Spectrum of Shisha Flavors

A decade ago, hookah smokers usually juggled between a few shisha flavors like the Grape, Double Apple, Mint, and more. These flavors were the original and most prevalent ones in those days. Presently, the hookah industry is booming with countless shisha tobacco brands and flavor blends. Earlier, there were only a handful of shisha brands from the Middle East to a thriving market with more than two hundred brands from Russia, Brazil, Germany, the USA, and more. On today's date, no matter which kind of flavor you crave, there are shisha tobaccos to satiate your unique preferences. If you like citrus, there are flavors and mixes like orange mint, lemon and lime, grapefruit, and more. If you are fond of coffee, chocolate, or desert, there are plenty of options available in that category too.

Natural Hookah Charcoals Replaced Quick Light Hookah Charcoals

Back in 2010, there used to be donut-like quick-light hookah charcoals that came wrapped in foils. Though these charcoal are effortless to light using a lighter, they release an odor so strong that they often trigger the fire alarms. These coals are convenient for smoking on-the-go; however, they contain chemicals that make them unhealthy to smoke. Over time, natural hookah charcoals manufactured with coconut shells and bamboo hit the European and American markets and soon became a popular choice. These hookah charcoal can produce heat up to 1.5 hours, whereas the quick lights last no more than 20 minutes. Furthermore, natural coals don’t contain any additives and burn at a constant temperature, enhancing the flavor output of the shisha tobacco. In short, quick-light hookah coals are convenient and still used in emergencies or for traveling, but the natural hookah coals dominate the entire hookah market with their healthy composition and excellent heat management performance.

Heat Management Devices Replaced Aluminum Foil Covers

Those days are long gone when we used to poke holes in aluminum foil-covered hookah bowls to get that perfect smoking session. With the introduction of the first HMD in 2010, the game of hookah smoking got revolutionized. This device is placed on top of a hookah bowl, packed with shisha tobacco. This removes the role of aluminum foil. Not only does it efficiently transfer the heat from the hot charcoal to the hookah tobacco, it also keeps the ash away, improving the flavors. However, some hookah smokers still continue to use aluminum foil for delicate dark leaf shisha tobacco. In present days, numerous renowned brands are reigning the market with various amazing heat management devices.

Silicone Hoses Displaced Traditional Hookah Hoses

During the last decade, hookah hoses were introduced as a better substitute for the traditional hoses. Traditional hoses retain flavors from previous sessions, are non-washable, often rusty, and deteriorate over time. However, these modern silicone hoses are non-rusty, washable, safe to smoke, compatible to smoke different flavors, and thus more durable. Hence, shisha lovers switched to using silicone hoses for enhanced flavor, convenience, safety, and a better experience in the past 10 years.

Phunnel Bowls Is A Common Practice Now

Earlier, we had limited options, such as the handmade Egyptian clay hookah bowl or the cheap ceramic bowls that broke very easily. Whereas today we have a plethora of shisha bowls crafted with different materials like silicone, stoneware clay, glass, even aluminum. While traditional clay bowls have holes at the bottom, phunnel bowls have one raised spire in the center. Phunnel bowls retain the shisha flavor and juice and prevent them from seeping into the hookah stem, improving the smoke and prolonging the session duration. For this, it has become the new standard in the hookah world.

Future of Hookah

If asked 10 years ago, no one could have imagined that hookah shisha would be so popular like it is today. Hence, it is hard to predict what is in stock in the future of the hookah industry. It is still young and constantly evolving. Hence, we can only expect to see more improvements, advanced designs, and a more enjoyable experience. With that, we will conclude today’s blog. Hope you enjoyed it, and if you need an upgrade, don’t forget to check out our Hookah store. Amy Deluxe is your one-stop hookah destination—keep blowing some thick clouds.