Sisha tobacco - shelf life and proper storage

Shisha lovers who regularly turn on their shisha probably rarely ask themselves whether their shisha tobacco still has a shelf life or whether it should be better disposed of. However, things are different if you only smoke occasionally or like to try out different varieties to add some variety to your shisha session. Then you should consider a few things before reaching for tobacco. But can shisha tobacco actually expire?

Can shisha tobacco go bad?

Spoiler alert: Yes he can. If you use shisha tobacco regularly and it is used up in a few weeks, you usually don't have to worry. However, if you only use a small amount of tobacco from a pack, it is important to keep an eye on the shelf life. There is no best-before date for shisha tobacco, so you should always use the production date as a guide. If unopened, shisha tobacco has a shelf life of around two years. However, once you open the tobacco, you have to rely on your eyes and your sense of smell. A musty smell is an important indicator that you should say goodbye to your tobacco. Therefore, you should definitely memorize the original smell of the tobacco after opening it and always carry out a small smell test before use. Due to the moisture in shisha tobacco, mold can even form if stored incorrectly, which is why a careful look into the tobacco tin doesn't hurt.

The shisha tobacco is too dry

But even if the shisha tobacco is still shelf-stable, i.e. has neither a musty smell nor the formation of mold, it can lose its taste and moisture and therefore no longer really be edible. But that's no reason for the bin! If your tobacco is still too dry even after stirring well, you can simply moisten it a little yourself. Molasses is best suited for this as it is not only a great moisturizer and flavor carrier, but also contributes to a longer smoking time. They also come in many different flavors, which means you can intensify the taste of your tobacco without changing it much.

Proper storage of shisha tobacco

With proper storage, you can greatly extend the shelf life of your tobacco. It can be kept for several months even when opened. It is best to store your shisha tobacco airtight, protected from light and at room temperature. It should never be stored too warm. It is therefore important to avoid heat sources such as heating or direct sunlight, as heat causes moisture to be lost and UV rays decompose the substances in the tobacco, making it unsmokable. Shisha tobacco is best stored in airtight containers such as Tupperware containers, preserving jars or sealable food storage bags with little volume. We recommend storing the shisha tobacco in a flat Tupperware container, because if the tobacco is not standing, the liquid is better distributed. You often have the problem that the shisha tobacco is too moist at the bottom and too dry at the top and you have to stir for ages to redistribute the liquid throughout the tobacco. However, you should definitely avoid aluminum cans as the flavors can react with the can. This can cause a black by-product to form that has an unpleasant odor. Hopefully this clears up any question marks about the shelf life of your tobacco. Happy vaping!