I question I came across on Yahoo answers the other day was “When buying shisha pipe tobacco or herbal shisha in the UK which brand and flavours should one select?”

Years ago there was Nakhla and if you were lucky Al Waha, today there are many brands of both the original shisha tobacco and herbal shisha available online and in the shisha shops across the nation. In fact there are so many brands and shisha flavours that deciding on which to buy has become quite difficult.

I have written this post to help anyone with the same question of that I came across.

The brands most commonly found in the UK are:

Soex Herbal Shisha

Manufactured in India soex herbal shisha was the first herbal shisha to enter the market. 100% tobacco and nicotine free this herbal shisha is available in over forty flavours. Providing a great tasting quality smoke that lasts for as long as the original tobacco molasses.

High-Life Herbal Shisha

This herbal shisha is manufactured in Egypt, introduced shortly after Soex it’s one of the other herbal shisha brands that’s 100% tobacco free. I have searched around a lot but have only been able to find just nine different flavours.

El Rosha Herbal Shisha

El Rosha is the latest herbal shisha to enter the market. Manufactured in Egypt and 100% tobacco free.

Al Fakher Shisha Tobacco

Manufactured in the United Arab Emirates this brand has quickly become the most popular shisha tobacco in the UK and across the world. Using flavourings with higher flash points and sweeter sugars al fakher costs slightly more than other tobacco’s.

Nakhla Shisha Tobacco

The original brand manufactured in Egypt. Known for its consistency and long lasting taste Nakhla tobacco has been manufactured since 1913 (almost one hundred years)

You may want to note that although many shisha shops across the UK sell al fakher and nakhla the price is considerably more than the herbal shisha due to import tax and tobacco excise. And be warned if you buy it from a shop that ships it from abroad you will be liable to pay the excise duties.

Forgetting the brand for a minute, in my opinion apple, cherry, grape and mint are the best tasting flavours.