Washed Vs Unwashed

[tj154906]

I read something about unwashed shisha. I was just wondering what this mean, what the differences between washed and unwashed are, and which brands fall into each category. Thanks.

[hookah hippie]

washed means less nicotine

[anathema]

http://www.hookahforum.com/index.php?showt...20&start=20

last two posts, especially sonthert's.

[tj154906]

http://www.hookahforum.com/index.php?showt...20&start=20

last two posts, especially sonthert's.

I'm not sure who to thank, you or Sonthert. I guess both; that was exactly what I was looking for.

[Sonthert]

Washed:
Tangiers
Romman
Nahkla
Al Waha
Abu Hitham

Partially Washed (Usually washed mixed with a little unwashed...to retain a little nicotine)
Al Basha

Washed Completely
Al Amir
Al Fahker
Layalina
Starbuzz
Havana
Fumari
HookahHookah
...

Some washed brands erroneously claim to have full nicotine, either because computing the number is difficult, they wish to misrepresent their product, or they used to use unwashed foundation and then switched to a washed foundation. (layalina and Starbuzz)
Washing is accomplished commonly by rinsing the tobacco with cold-room temperature water. Less commonly, the maker will use vinegar, as an acid, it neutralizes and dissolves the nicotine very well...but is more expensive (in the US). Nicotine is water soluble, so not that much water rinses it around 99% clean.

People who have smoked Al Basha (Nahkla Company) will tell you it packs alot more nic. punch than other unwashed brands. The number on the package, .05% is what other companies use to indicate their tobacco is washed...its like if I made a "Diet Soda"...iot would have 1 calorie, more or less...right? In fact, the process may be entirely different. Al Basha was released originally to carry rose and jasmine flavors...which do not carry well on a nicotinated foundation (unwashed). Most Americans seem to gravitate to tobacco that has less flavor, no nicotine, isn't harsh, but probably has all the same health risks.

Edit: So many companies that start with good quality imported tobacco (which more of has nicotine) to bring in business and substitute poorer and less expensive imports/or domestically processed product in at the same price...to make more money, to buy that fifth Mercedes. The original imports tend towards being unwashed, the newer model cheaper, lower quality tobacco made specifically for Americans, without nicotine. Edited June 17, 2007 by Sonthert

[tj154906]

Washed:
Tangiers
Romman
Nahkla
Al Waha
Abu Hitham

Partially Washed (Usually washed mixed with a little unwashed...to retain a little nicotine)
Al Basha

Washed Completely
Al Amir
Al Fahker
Layalina
Starbuzz
Havana
Fumari
HookahHookah
...

Some washed brands erroneously claim to have full nicotine, either because computing the number is difficult, they wish to misrepresent their product, or they used to use unwashed foundation and then switched to a washed foundation. (layalina and Starbuzz)
Washing is accomplished commonly by rinsing the tobacco with cold-room temperature water. Less commonly, the maker will use vinegar, as an acid, it neutralizes and dissolves the nicotine very well...but is more expensive (in the US). Nicotine is water soluble, so not that much water rinses it around 99% clean.

People who have smoked Al Basha (Nahkla Company) will tell you it packs alot more nic. punch than other unwashed brands. The number on the package, .05% is what other companies use to indicate their tobacco is washed...its like if I made a "Diet Soda"...iot would have 1 calorie, more or less...right? In fact, the process may be entirely different. Al Basha was released originally to carry rose and jasmine flavors...which do not carry well on a nicotinated foundation (unwashed). Most Americans seem to gravitate to tobacco that has less flavor, no nicotine, isn't harsh, but probably has all the same health risks.

Edit: So many companies that start with good quality imported tobacco (which more of has nicotine) to bring in business and substitute poorer and less expensive imports/or domestically processed product in at the same price...to make more money, to buy that fifth Mercedes. The original imports tend towards being unwashed, the newer model cheaper, lower quality tobacco made specifically for Americans, without nicotine.

I see, so it's really a matter of preference?

[Calcartman]

Its a matter of preference and experience.
If you tried tangiers the first time you smoked, and you're not an experienced cigar/ette/illegal/etc smoker, you're going to be dizzy quick.
It also tickles the back of your throat a lot more.

[Sonthert]

I suppose so.

Nicotine imparts a flavor (its slightly bitter...which clashes with floral flavors frequently). Some people smoke for nicotine highs, some smoke for asphyxiation highs, some people smoke for no highs. A few sick freaks ( ) want both...vomiting and diarrhea follow those people like a coyote following a wounded rabbit.

[Calcartman]

I suppose so.

Nicotine imparts a flavor (its slightly bitter...which clashes with floral flavors frequently). Some people smoke for nicotine highs, some smoke for asphyxiation highs, some people smoke for no highs. A few sick freaks ( ) want both...vomiting and diarrhea follow those people like a coyote following a wounded rabbit.

Yeah, but once you take your hookah dump, you feel ready for more nicotine and asphyxiation!

Nicotine and Caffiene are both bitter tasting stimulants. intersting.

[Sonthert]

They are alkaloids, which are defined as containing a nitrogen atom (and made by a plant). The nitrogen atom acts in an alkaline fashion (coincidentally, alkaline and alkaloid are arabic words, I believe). Things that are basic (aka alkaline) have a bitter flavor. You taste bitter on the back of your tongue so your natural tendency is to gag it back out since most natural poisons are alkaloids. Coincidentally, most drugs are too (THC and Salvinorin are not) and most medicines are alkaloids, too (although more and more things are being developed without a single nitrogen).