STEP 1: CHOP THE SHISHA LEAVES TO A UNIFORM SIZE

Firstly, spread about a handful of shisha leaves on top of your chopping board. Using a sharp kitchen knife, chop the leaves down to about 1 – 2 cm strips, making sure that the length of the strips is as uniform as possible. A finer cut presents a greater surface area of tobacco to the hot air and is easier to manage when loading the shisha mix into a bowl.

STEP 2: DRY THE SHISHA MIX

After placing the shisha mix on one half of a sheet of absorbent paper towel, fold the other half over the top and gently press down a few times to soak up the excess molasses and glycerine out of the leaves. This will help get the heat into the mix quickly as well as prevent “hot spots” from building up. Be careful not to dry out the mix too much though, as this will result in a hotter, and harsher session.

STEP 3: PREPARE THE SHISHA MIX

Separate the leaves and mix them with the fork so that there are no big chunks stuck together. Make sure to mop up any excess molasses and glycerine from the chopping board and continue to flatten and roll the mix until it is fluffy and aerated. You’re now ready to load your shisha bowl.

STEP 4: PACK THE HOOKAH BOWL

To allow proper air circulation and an even burn, you don’t want to pack your bowl too tightly. Using your fingers or a fork, gradually fill the hookah bowl up to the fill line. Then sprinkle a little bit more shisha mix on top so that it will be gently touching the underside of the foil or screen, but not squashed down. This technique also works if you have a chimney set or heat management systems like the Lotus and Razor; just make sure you get the fill height correct so that the mix isn’t compacted (which restricts airflow). Ensure that there are no stray shisha strands on the rim or inner ledge of the bowl, as these will prevent an airtight seal.

Have a nice and wonderful shisha experience with your friends!