Jump to content

Star (estari) Self-lighting Coal


Recommended Posts

Hi, I am new to this forum and I am happy to have found a place to discuss something that has been a hobby of mine for many years. About eight years ago, I had gone to Israel to work as a volunteer on a kibutz. It was there that I first encountered narghile, or hookah as it is known in the states. The first time I smoked it I was forever hooked and since then I have never finished my quest for the perfect smoke. The only available tobacco in Israel at that time was Al Nakhla with "Double Apple" being the golden standard, so of course that is all I smoked. However, the coal we used was called "Estari," it came in a gold foil wrapper and the name and all writing on it was in Greek. There was a picture of the three wisemen following the star to Bethleham on it as well. These coals were of the self-lighting variety and no matter how hard I look, I can't find any evidence that they existed at all since I left Israel. I'm sure that there are better SL coals on the market now, but these hold some sentimental value to me. If anyone can help me find them, please let me know.

Gracias,

d_l
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Welcome to the Forum biggrin.gif biggrin.gif

Do you mean like quicklights? Most of those are self starting i guess.. only takes a little bit of flame then there good after a little blowing..
Link to comment
Share on other sites

welcome dark lord!

i have never heard of those coals, they must be a regional thing with no online availability.

the best self lighting or "Quick light" (QL) coals are three kings, and some people say golden too, but they are wrong. tongue.gif

you can get them in a lot of middle eastern shops and most online retailer sell them.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

First of all the coal are called ASTERI and not estari (although your translation is right) as you posted and i can get them locally really easy and basically from everywhere. I guess you live in the US tho, so i doubt you'll be able to find them. They really are nice coal. 33mm, super quick lighting, no porobs at all but i'd give them a 8/10 on the taste(along with the 3k's). the only QL i gave a 9 is "belgian charcoal".

PIc below (of theit newest packing/roll) This is the foil its rolled in.

Cheers Edited by everydayshisha
Link to comment
Share on other sites

QUOTE (everydayshisha @ Jan 12 2008, 06:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
...the only QL i gave a 9 is "belgian charcoal"...


although belgian coals burn hotter than other QL's and ash better, they give everyone headaches that has smoked with me.

http://www.hookahforum.com/index.php?showtopic=16701
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Cool... Thank you for all the info. Asteri, huh, at least I was close. It was Greek to me. Anyway, I purchased something similar from a seller in Israel. When I get them, I'll post a rating. It is also good to hear that the Exotica coals are as good as they are, I just purchased some from Hookah-Shisha. Muchas Gracias, Tomas
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...