The origins of the hookah come from the north western provinces of India along the border of Pakistan in Rajasthan and Gujarat nearly a millennia back. These hookahs were simple, primitive, and rugged in design, usually made from a coconut shell base and tube with a head attached. They were designed to smoke opium, and hashish. The hookah made its way through the Persian Kingdom, which also included Pakistan, Afghanistan, much of Middle Asia and Arab parts of Northern Africa. The hookah acquired tombeik on its way through Persia. Tombeik is a dark tobacco grown in modern day Iran. Tombeik is rinsed and pack in the large older style heads where hot coal is applied directly to the wet tombeik, which gives it a strong flavor. 

When the hookah made its way into Turkey about 500 years ago, it endured a surge of popularity among the upper class and intellectuals and thus changing in design. The hookah grew in size and complexity and became similar to designs that we are more familiar with today. Brass and glass were added to the design and less wood was used. Intricate paintings and mosaics were added for beauty and elegance. The popularity grew into hookah coffee shops in Turk society two to three centuries ago. A hookah bar waiter was treated similar to a chef because of the preparation for hookah smoking. The packing and moisture was a skill, and it was considered rude to touch the coals. Hookah smoking migrated south into the Arab world from Turkey to Lebanon and Syria where it got the name Nargile. It then spread into Egypt and Morocco, where it is known as shisha. It is also know as the "hubble bubble" in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates where we have derrived our name here at SoCalHub. Today, hookah bars are social places where many people get together to discuss politics and local events. In Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, the hookah bars are for men only and in some Muslim countries, many believe that the hookah is haram, or forbidden.

Most hookah smoking countries serve Nahkla shisha. Nahkla shisha is a combination of foreign tobaccos, honey molasses and dried fruit. The smoke is filtered through ice cold water to make the smoke cool and soothing. Older generations smoked hashish and opium, which has created a negative stigma for the hookah that is smoked today. However, we at SoCalHub do not condone the use of illegal drugs - only tabacco. Slowly society is accepting the hookah as more of a pipe for tobacco instead of illegal drugs. The hookah has been growing in popularity in the United States and Europe since the experimentation of the 60's. Now they are in every college head shop and Mid East market on both coasts. And so we at SoCalHub now offer it to you for your enjoyment at the lowest prices possible to keep you enjoying the tradition of the hookah in your own home. Now that you know what a hookah is if you didn't before - why not try it? Enjoy your experience!

*NOTE: We have put time into understanding and knowing what makes a high quality hookah. We know there are competitors out there that have similar and at very seldom lower prices, but their hookahs will rust/break on you within 6 months. Our hookahs will last you at least 4-5 years of heavy use. We can get you hookahs of the same quality as our competitors for a lower price. However we try and only sell the highest quality hookahs. Give us a call and we will be more than happy the explain what constitutes a high quality hookah.