Tobacco does not expire, which is why cigarettes don’t have best before dates mentioned on the packages. Also, the World Health Organization prohibits cigarette manufacturers from mentioning expiry dates as that could lead consumers to believe that the products are healthy.

Like cigarettes, shisha tobacco does not expire in the literal sense. However, shisha tobacco will not remain fresh or flavorful forever. In fact, shisha tobacco will turn stale long before cigarettes. The loss of flavor is essentially due to drying, and slightly because the aroma isn’t retained.

How To Keep Shisha Tobacco Fresh

The simplest & most effective way to keep shisha tobacco fresh is by using an airtight container. An ideal solution is a vacuum sealed container with little to no air inside. You may know that chips & other foods are packed with nitrogen gas inside to keep them fresh and crunchy.

Similarly, you may try to attain an ideal storage system for your shisha tobacco. Most shisha tobacco manufacturers offer a re-sealable pouch, can, or tub. You can use these, but they are not meant to be a perfect solution. You can’t keep air out as you open a pack of shisha tobacco. Thus, some air will be trapped inside after you reseal the pack, causing the tobacco to dry.  

Get a container that will keep your shisha tobacco fresh, juicy, and aromatic for as long as possible. Furthermore, you may put in a little effort to ensure the container doesn’t have too much air inside. There are a few practical ways to achieve this. Choose a suitable solution.

4 Ways To Keep Shisha Tobacco Fresh

This guide discusses four ways to keep shisha tobacco fresh. You may consider other options, too. The following solutions are for different budgets and you can decide based on your preference, and how much time you can spare to manage your shisha tobacco storage.

1. Use a Mason Jar

A traditional mason jar is much better than the re-sealable bags or pouches that your shisha tobacco arrives in from the stores. Mason jars have kept food fresh for centuries. The seal is impeccable for a simple container. Yet, you may have some dryness if air seeps into the jar. 

Mason jars will let some air in as you open and close them to access your shisha tobaccos. One way to mitigate this problem is vacuuming a jar before you store any tobacco. Another practical solution is to store as much shisha tobacco in a jar as you can. 

You can keep the shisha tobacco inside their re-sealable pouches, and place those packs inside a mason jar. This tactic will allow you to use one sizable Mason jar for several tobaccos. Just vacuum one jar before you put all the packs inside it and keep it away from cold & heat sources.

2. Get a Hydro Stone

A hydro stone is made of clay, often marketed as terracotta, which means baked earth. The clay is fired to make an earthenware, which is usually unglazed for a hydro stone. You can use this type of ceramic known as hydro stone to add moisture to the shisha tobacco storage space.

Wet the hydro stone and it will absorb the water. Keep a hydro stone in a container or at the storage space. Don’t let the hydro stone be in direct contact with shisha tobaccos as that will wet the material and ruin the flavors. Excess moisture will damage shisha tobaccos.

Use waterproof packs or cans to keep your shisha tobaccos. Place these containers on a shelf, in a cupboard, or anywhere that isn’t close to a cold or heat source. Set the hydro stone somewhere around these containers. You could also place a hydro stone inside a glass jar or other vessel. The stone will release moisture and prevent the storage space from being too dry.

3. Buy a Humidor

A humidor is a box designed to retain moisture in the air, or relative humidity. Humidors are immensely popular among cigar connoisseurs. You may have seen one storing cigars in movies and at tobacco shops. Humidors aren’t particularly expensive, albeit some can be pricey.

4. Use a Tobacco Pouch

You may use a drawstring, roll-up, case, or bag-type tobacco pouch. The latter can also house a few accessories. These pouches are not as effective as a humidor or Mason jar, but they are affordable and can keep shisha tobacco fresh for at least a few months, if not a year.