Rating

[Rating:4.5/5]

Cut & Composition

Al Fakher Guava is a medium cut, very moist but not dripping, shisha tobacco. It is not uncommon to find fairly large stems mixed in with the tobacco leaves.

Price & Quantities Available

• 50g – $3.25
• 200g (box) – $9.75
• $250g – $12.95
• 1kg – $45.95

Al Fakher tobacco is widely available in local stores that sell hookah supplies. You may find Al Fakher tobacco cheaper in your local store, check to see what is available nearby.

The Set-Up

This review of Al Fakher Guava was performed after countless smoke sessions using standard, Vortex, and Phunnel bowls and a variety of hookahs.

The Experience

Al Fakher can produce a wide array of smoking experiences. And, with careful packing and heat management, you can produce huge clouds that rival those of Starbuzz or other premium brands. Al Fakher Guava has a slightly higher tolerance for heat than many other brands, which can be temperamental. Using a standard packing method, Al Fakher Guava can produce full flavor with minimal attention given to the bowl. It should be noted, however, that unlike many other flavors, Guava will most likely leave a lingering smell indoors for some time. Some find the left over smell pleasant, I think the left over smell resembles cat urine. So, be prepared to light some incense after you smoke.

The Flavor

Al Fakher Guava is a candy caricature of the real guava fruit. Most people familiar with the real taste of guava will probably notice the resemblance right off the bat. The taste is fruity and a bit tangy, but in terms of fruity flavors, much less sweet. The taste is simple, with almost no undertones. It makes an excellent ingredient for mixing with other Al Fakher flavors, such as Mint or Strawberry. Additionally, the Guava scent and the Guava flavor mirror each other very predictably.

The Insight

Al Fakher’s Guava flavor is one of my must-haves. I will sometimes spend a week or more smoking only Guava. It’s just an easy, unobtrusive flavor that goes with just about any beverage you might be drinking while smoking. Also, the ease of preparation and the tobacco’s slightly higher resilience to heat makes it a great tobacco to pack when you’re not going to be able to give lots of attention to the bowl. I love to smoke while I’m doing other things like working, or cooking. Guava simply smokes and asks little else from you. Also, being that it is fruity but not too sweet, makes it a great alternative to spice flavors, without having to swing all the way to the other end of the spectrum.

Who Should Try This Flavor

I recommend Guava to folks who love fruity flavors, but can’t handle too much sweet. Especially those people who find they want to smoke more often than just the weekends, but find the heavier fruit flavors from Starbuzz (and the hefty price tag) a bit too much to stomach.