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Al Fakher vs. Starbuzz: Which Shisha Brand is Right for You?
Introduction
Dubai may have its buzzing shisha cafés, and Abu Dhabi its relaxing beach lounges, not to mention the traditional majlis of Sharjah, but one debate dorms in them all: Al Fakher vs. Starbuzz – who will be the sultan of the shisha brands?
These two hookah titans have both garnered a faithful following around the globe, however, they both provide quite a different experience. Al Fakher is founded on UAE tradition and is identified by smokers around the hours, both past and present, refreshing memories of good friendships as well as family get togethers. Starbuzz, meanwhile, offers bold, candy-flavour inspired tastes that have transformed the hookah and shisha market, particularly for young smokers who are after bigger clouds and candy-flavoured notes.
In this extensive guide, you’ll find out how both brands compare in terms of flavour profile, smoke quality, cut, price, availability and community reputation, and you’ll get real help deciding which one aligns with your life. Keep reading until the conclusion to determine which brand is the better fit for your next hookah session.
Brand Overviews
Al Fakher: The UAE Classic
Established in 1999, Al Fakher was the first company to commercially introduce Shisha molasses until it became what it is today; a broad variety of products of the best quality all over the world. In those days, quality was hit-or-miss for imported tobacco. Today, Al Fakher’s fine-cut Virginia tobacco is ubiquitous — it’s used in neighbourhood cafés in Sharjah, rooftop lounges in Dubai and family majlis all over the Emirates.
Key traits:
- Preserves authentic Emirati smoking heritage
- Comes in a wide array of traditional and contemporary flavours
- Renowned for smooth, mild-to-medium sessions
- Good local availability — available in supermarkets, convenience stores, and cafés
Starbuzz: The Bold American Innovator
Starbuzz Founded in the early 2000s, Starbuzz was conceived in California and made its name by reinventing the hookah flavours game. Its candy-colored mixes and trademark billows of smoke redefined modern shisha culture, particularly among younger smokers.
Key traits:
- Famous for its experimental, bold flavors (Blue Mist and Pirates Cave, anyone)
- Premium branding with stylish packaging
- Trending in Dubai and Abu Dhabi at high-end bars
Whether you like smokin’ ’em or sweet ’em; sweet blueberry is the right blend for all blueberry lovers.
Flavour Profiles
Al Fakher: Smooth, Familiar, Timeless
Al Fakher flavour is a mild and timeless flavour. Local favourites include:
- Double Apple (Two Apples): The classic. Subtle hint of aniseed — a feature of UAE majlis all over.
- Mint: Invigorating, cool and refreshing, delicious alone or mixed with others.
- Grape: Sweet that isn’t overwhelming, mixes great with Mint.
Taste notes:
It’s all about the natural fruit flavours for Al Fakher. They’re less candy-like, more traditional. The sweetness is light so you can smoke it for a while.
Starbuzz: Sweet, Bold, Playful
And then, there’s where the real adventure lies: the Starbuzz flavors:
- Blue Mist: Their best-seller internationally — a sweet and icy blueberry with a mint twist.
- Pirates Cave: A mix of citrus-lime, fresh n tingling!
- Code 69: A fruit punch-esque blend with a little sweetness on top.
Taste notes:
Starbuzz mixes taste like a strange mocktail. The flavour is strong or bold, Indonesian strains are very popular among many new set of evening partiers and sumatra has the most reported case in the country of 400 israeli tourists 2019.
Tobacco Quality & Cut
Al Fakher
- Type: Premium Virginia tobacco.
- Cut: Fine cut, moderately juicy. Easier to fluff-pack, no restriction of airflow.
- Result: Small and predictable burn; good for beginners who don’t want cruel hits.
Starbuzz
- Type: High-grade, heavily molassed tobacco.
- Cut: Medium cut, extra juicy. Needs a phunnel bowl to catch the juice.
- Result: Longer sessions and thicker clouds, but heat management is key.
Smoke Experience
Cloud Size
- Al Fakher: Smooth, moderate clouds. Ideal for relaxing over hours.
- Starbuzz: Large, thick clouds — created for the “wow factor.”
Smoothness & Harshness
- Al Fakher: Low/medium in nicotine. Less throat hit — great for marathons.
- Starbuzz: Medium to strong buzz. Beginners should pace themselves.
Session Duration
- Al Fakher: Burns well and manageable. Sessions last 45–60 mins.
- Starbuzz: Juicier mixes give a longer lasting smoke, up to 90 minutes if handled correctly.
Packaging & Freshness
Al Fakher
- Basic foil pouches and boxes
- Airtight seals to stand up to UAE heat.
- Simple to portion for home smokers.
Starbuzz
- Premium tins and resealable jars.
- Tight seal, hip look, easy to open and use all the time.
- (Some smokers in the UAE save the tins as storage.)
Price Comparison
| Brand | 250g Pack | 1kg Pack |
| Al Fakher | AED 55–70 | AED 180–220 |
| Starbuzz | AED 70–100 | AED 250–320 |
- Al Fakher: Economical and great for everyday game players.
- Starbuzz: Costly, more of a treat for special evenings and flavour chasers.
Availability & Distribution
Al Fakher
- Sold in nearly every supermarket and convenience Online store in the Emirates.
- Most lounges carry Al Fakher as their standard brand.
Starbuzz
- Discovered in high-end hookah lounges and exclusive retailers.
- Local online stores sometimes deliver genuine Starbuzz tins — just always make sure you have the original packaging.
Community & Brand Reputation
Al Fakher
- It’s depended on by UAE smokers for its consistency.
- For regular customers, the lounges are the “no-complaints brand,” the owners say.
- Commonly suggested on Arabic hookah forums and nearby WhatsApp groups.
Starbuzz
- Huge online fanbase.
- Expats and younger Emiratis flock here.
- It is often seen on social media videos with its billowing smoke and mixes.
Al Fakher vs. Starbuzz: A Feature Review
| Feature | Al Fakher | Starbuzz |
| Flavour Style | Classic, natural, subtle | Bold, candy-like, exotic |
| Nicotine Strength | Mild to Medium | Medium to Strong |
| Price | Budget-friendly | Premium |
| Tobacco Cut | Fine cut, moderately juicy | Medium cut, juicy |
| Best For | Traditional smokers | Flavour chasers |
| Packaging | Basic pouches | Resealable tins and jars |
| Availability | Widely available in UAE | For sale at premium shops and lounges |
Who Should Choose Which?
The choice between Al Fakher and Starbuzz really depends on your smoking style, the place, and the company you keep when you are enjoying your hookah.
Why Choose Al Fakher?
- Best for Traditional Settings: If you regularly entertain at home with awannya there and Emirati style classic shisha nights, Al Fakher’s mild to medium strength and flavour options are your best bet.
- Sensations of home: Those slightly fruity and minty notes are there, and you can take comfort from that — it’s a familiar taste that many smokers in the UAE have grown up with.
- Perfect for Everyday: Its inexpensive price lets you stock up on a lot without spending a lot.
- Novice-Friendly: The fine cut and light juiciness take well to packing a bowl for even novices. You don’t need blingy accoutrements to do it.
Why Choose Starbuzz?
- For Parties And Social Nights: Starbuzz was created for those whom spark up at a party. The clouds, big, bold, sweet, candy-like, are a conversation point.
- Appeals to Younger Smokers: Starbuzz has a pretty sweet flavor to it, and many expatriates and young UAE residents are more attracted to the coolness of the brand. It has become a cultural emblem of contemporary café shisha culture.
- Great for Cafes and Lounges: If you are an owner or distributor to a lounge putting Starbuzz in your menu can draw travel and local flavour chasers, just looking for an Instagram worthy outing.
- For Experimenter: If you’re a smoker who likes mixing new flavors and you enjoy creating and experimenting with custom blends, the strong flavor of Starbuzz is often a favorite.
Takeaway:
If you value tradition, predictability, and milder sessions, then stick to Al Fakher. If you crave strong flavors, monstrous clouds, and the all important social status that comes with it then Starbuzz is your man. Many die-hard smokers retain both brands for different moods.
Mixing & Packing Tips pro!
Packing and mixing shisha well is the difference between flavor and smoke production and smooth cloud. Here’s how to make the most of each brand:
Best Bowls
- Al Fakher: Smoke it in a traditional Egyptian clay head. Its air-flow design dovetails with Al Fakher’s fine cut, maintaining consistent heat throughout the bowl. The end product is a smooth, easy smoke that’s perfect for lengthy sessions.
- Starbuzz: Use a phunnel bowl. This style prevents the additional juicy Starbuzz tobacco from running into your vase, this will keep flavor and increase the amount of your session. If you make molasses-heavy blends, it’s a must.
Coal Tips
- Utilise Natural Coconut Coals: These are much cleaner to burn than quick lights and will provider you with only the pure flavour of your shisha and not the taste of chemicals.
- Heat Management for Starbuzz: Starbuzz hookah can be burned on high heat due to its thicker syrup. Rotate your coals to your bowl edges every 10-15 minutes. If you have a heat management device (HMD), use that for added control.
Tasty Mixes to Try
Top Al Fakher Mixes:
- Double Apple+Mint: Gives a nice “cold” spin on the traditional.
- Grape + Berry: A sweet blend, great to smoke at the lounges in the UAE!
Top Starbuzz Mixes:
- Blue Mist + Pirates Cave: A requiem of blueberry and lime flavor that hits heavy and rides smooth.
- Code 69 + Citrus Mist: For those who crave fruit and tart clouds.
Pro Tip: Try small tinkers first before packing a full bowl — that way, you find the kind of balance that is perfect for you.
Environmental Impact and Sustainability
Packaging and Waste Reduction
- Al Fakher: Anchored on recycling the foil pouch and cardboard box, they have their eyes on lightweight packaging considering waste reduction.
- Starbuzz: Has their high end metal tins that can be reused and will minimize packaging waste over time.
Coal Choices
- Both companies recommend the use of natural coconut coals as they burn clean and don’t create as much ash as quick-light coals.
- Real coals are more environmentally friendly and also give a more superior taste.
Sustainable Practices Tips
- Only buy what you will use, to minimize tobacco waste.
- Reuse cans or tins for storage or other use.
- Always properly dispose of coals by allowing them to become completely cool and putting them inside of metal containers or ashtrays.
Healthy and Safety Advice in Relation to Shisha Smoking
Equipment Hygiene
- Ensure the parts of your hookah are always clean to prevent the growth of bacteria.
- Swap water every session for fewer germs and clearer wines.
- Disposable or personal use – Use your own mouthpiece or share with friends! Protect from cross-contamination!
Tobacco and Coal Selection
- Use real Al Fakher or Starbuzz tobacco to keep from smoking counterfeit products with dangerous drugs.
- To prevent any chemical aftertaste or toxic fumes that can be present in quick light coals.
Heat Management
- Regularly rotating coals to avoid tobacco being burned and smoke becoming bitter.
- Try an HMD for a more uniform heat.
General Safety Tips
- Do not smoke when there is too little airflow for air intakes to prevent you from breathing smoke and carbon monoxide.
- Stay hydrated during your session.
- Smoking on demand to minimise risk among adult smokers.
Al Fakher Disposable vs. Traditional Shisha: What’s Better for You?
Where to Buy
Al Fakher is abundantly available in whole UAE but if you want guaranteed original product and deal with exclusive flavors than you should be buying directly from our Al Fakher Dubai online store. We deliver double sealed packs with official holograms, fast UAE-wide delivery, secure payment & local support. Shopping online through our store allows customers to save and avoid all the hassle of going to the store and waiting in line.
Starbuzz, however, is normally available through reputable hookah stores, lounges, and authorized online retailers located in the UAE. For best quality and fresh experience, always buy Starbuzz shisha Tobacco online or where you can check review and his storage policy.
Conclusion
So, Al Fakher or Starbuzz — which one are you smoking tonight? Shisha enthusiasts in the UAE typically have both brands available. Al Fakher offers you the safety of enjoying traditional, real flavours that are perfect for your daily smoking wherever you are on family majlis nights. Meanwhile, Starbuzz brings that sterile sweet punch for big social clouds, parties and trendy lounge sessions.
Pro Tip: Try both. Experiment to develop your own personal favorites — and uphold the tradition with a twist of your own.
We’d love to hear from you! Which brand do you prefer? Got a go-to flavour mix? Comments Please Share your go-to combinations for the strongest buzz!
FAQs
Q. Which brand will last longer in one sitting?
A: Starbuzz typically will last longer due to its extra juiciness, which will allow the tobacco to stay moist, allowing you to get up to 90 minutes of huge clouds when using good heat management.
Q: Can you easily combine flavours with those brands?
A: Absolutely. Both brands are highly mixable. Al Fakher’s fruit flavours tend to blend nicely, Starbuzz is better for strong and separate inimitable mixes.
Q: Which is more beginner-friendly?
A: Al Fakher. Finer cut and a milder buzz that is not overwhelming to young smokers but still able to pack and light without a lot of harsh hits or excessive nicotine.
Q: What is the best way to store my shisha tobacco in the UAE?
A: It is best to store the tobacco in the original airtight pouch / tin in which it arrived, closed tightly. Store in a dark cool cupboard away from the harsh heat of the UAE climate — this will keep your flavours vibrant and prevent them from drying out.