Al Fakher is produced in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a country renowned for its rich shisha culture and commitment to quality manufacturing. Established in 1999, the brand has become one of the world's most recognized hookah tobacco names, celebrated for its consistent quality, iconic flavor range, and authentic smoking experience.
Al Fakher is the world's number one hookah tobacco brand and the most popular shisha tobacco in Europe. Known for its consistent quality, wide range of flavours, and smooth smoke, Al Fakher is the go-to choice for hookah lounges and home smokers alike across Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and the rest of the EU. Other highly popular brands among European shisha smokers include Adalya and Darkside.
For smokers looking for something more unique, we also stock Frozen Shisha — a premium brand crafted in the UAE, known for its exotic and distinctive flavour profiles that go far beyond the usual fruit and mint blends. If you want a shisha experience that stands out from the crowd, Frozen Shisha is worth exploring.
Shisha tobacco and hookah tobacco are the same thing — the terms are used interchangeably across Europe. Both refer to the flavoured tobacco mixture placed in the hookah bowl and heated with charcoal. The word ‘shisha’ is more commonly used in Germany, the UK, and Arab communities, while ‘hookah’ is widely used in English-speaking and American contexts. In France it is called ‘chicha’, in Spain ‘cachimba’, and in Italy ‘narghilè’.
Coconut charcoal is natural charcoal made from compressed coconut shells. It is the preferred charcoal for shisha among serious smokers because it burns longer (typically 45–90 minutes per coal), produces less ash, generates no chemical taste, and does not interfere with the flavour of your shisha tobacco. Unlike quick-light charcoal, coconut charcoal contains no added chemicals. Brands like Blackcoco’s are among the most popular coconut charcoals in Europe.
Shisha tobacco does not expire in the traditional sense, but it does lose quality over time. Most shisha tobacco carries a ‘best before’ date of around two years from production — this is when the tobacco will smoke at its freshest and most flavourful. After this date, the tobacco may still be smokeable but can taste drier and less intense. Opened shisha tobacco should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature and will stay fresh for up to 6 months after opening
A standard hookah bowl holds between 15 and 25 grams of shisha tobacco, depending on the bowl size. For most bowls, fill loosely to just below the rim of the bowl — the tobacco should not touch the foil or HMD. Avoid packing it too tightly, as this restricts airflow and results in a harsher, shorter session. Packing too loosely can cause the tobacco to dry out quickly and lose flavour early in the session.
Yes — mixing shisha flavours (known as ‘hookah mixes’ or ‘shisha blends’) is very common and one of the most enjoyable aspects of the hobby. Popular combinations include mint with fruit flavours (such as Al Fakher mint with watermelon), double apple with grape, or citrus with berry. Start with a 50/50 split between two compatible flavours and adjust to taste. Most shisha tobacco brands — especially Al Fakher, Frozen and Adalya — are designed to mix well together.
