DOES SHISHA EXPIRE? HOOKAH TOBACCO 101

Does Shisha Expire?

We’ve all been in the situation where, we run out of shisha and want to keep smoking hookah with our friends, but the only shisha we have left to use is an old jar in the back of our drawer. We then ask ourselves: Is this shisha still good? Does shisha expire? It happens to the best of us and we get asked constantly how do we know if our shisha is still good. In this blog we’ll be diving deeper on how to distinguish if your shisha is still good to enjoy. Let’s jump right in 

Types of Shisha and What Parts of Shisha Go Bad

There are two types of Shisha: Shisha Tobacco and Herbal Molasses. Both shishas are created with multiple ingredients such as glycerin, molasses, honey and flavorings. All these ingredients in your shisha play a dominant role in how long your shisha will last. What’s the main difference between the two? Shisha tobacco uses tobacco leaves and herbal molasses uses tea leaves. However, both do have the same shelf life and expiration. 

How Long Can Shisha Last?

A crucial ingredient that expires is the tobacco used to make your shisha. Your tobacco doesn’t just expire, it also goes stale. If your shisha is unopened, it can last for up to two years before going stale. Once opened, your shisha can stay fresh for up to six months and sometimes longer.

Signs of Shisha Gone Bad

Now that we know your shisha can indeed go stale but can also last over six months to 2 years, there are other signs of shisha gone bad. One of the biggest signs you will notice is that your shisha is no longer wet. This is because it has been exposed to air or has been in direct sunlight. If your shisha has lost its wetness and has gone dry, this is a clear sign that your shisha is no longer fresh. Another sign we want you to keep an eye out for is a fuzzy texture, strange smells or irregular colors forming on your shisha. If you see these signs, please DO NOT SMOKE IT. This is a common sign of mold growing in your shisha. Why does mold grow in shisha? The reason is because shisha contains tobacco leaves, and tobacco leaves are plants, so they will grow mold if left in conditions suitable for bacterial growth.

What happens if you use expired shisha?

Can you smoke expired shisha? If you smoke bad or expired shisha, we can guarantee that right off the bat you’re going to feel it. Your hookah session will be harsher, hotter, and less flavorful. Life’s too short and good to smoke bad shisha. We’re not doctors, but if you smoke moldy shisha, you are putting your health and well-being at risk. You can and will experience a bad cough, nausea, chest pain and could even end up with a serious infection after inhaling mold particles from the mold in your shisha. Don’t smoke bad shisha, it is not worth the potential risk or the unpleasant hookah experience that lies ahead. Hookah was created to taste and feel good, and expired shisha does none neither. If you’re in a pinch, SouthSmoke offers quick delivery turnaround times and we provide the freshest shisha in the industry. There is no reason to put your health at risk, so stock up on your favorite shisha at SouthSmoke.com

What Do The Expiration Marking Mean?

If you take a closer look at your shisha jars, you’ll notice some printed letters and numbers on either the back side, bottom or lid. You might see a “P” or “PRD” and “E” or “EXD” and both of these are important markings to know when your shisha was made and how long it is good until. The “P” or “PRD” stands for Production, or production date, and “E” or “EXD” stands for Expiration or Expiration Date. The “EXD” will always be 2 years from for “PRD” date. If your shisha jar only has “PRD” simply give yourself two years from that date.

How To Increase Your Shisha Shelf-Life

There are two main ways to increasing the shelf-life of your shisha. One major key to keeping your shisha in good condition for as long as possible is to seal it tightly in an airtight container, jar or bag. But don’t stop there, the next major key is keeping it in a cool, dry place and out of direct sunlight. One item we recommend that helps increase your shisha longevity is The Plastic Container by Mya Saray. The Plastic container is made specifically for storing hookah tobacco, as it contains an air tight seal. As mentioned, when your shisha is exposed to air and heat it will accelerate the aging process. This causes your shisha to dry faster and/or potentially grow mold.  If you follow these two major steps, your shisha will most definitely last for six months even more before drying out. Take it a step further and invest in purchasing Mya’s Plastic Containers. They are stackable and perfect for any serious hookah smoker. We hope you enjoyed this blog and learned a thing or thing or two. Be sure to check out all our shisha available on SouthSmoke.com. We are constantly receiving new shipments to guarantee a fresh shisha experience for you at home every time. If you have any questions, please give us a call at 888-577-6653. We have experienced hookah smokers available to answer any questions you may have!