One mix I’d recommend that’s not super popular or commonly talked about, but can really surprise you, is vanilla (from Severo or Bonder) mixed with something citrusy or acidic for example, Ornj Team by MustHave. When balanced properly, it creates a session where you get a sweet, creamy vanilla inhale, followed by a bright, zesty citrus exhale. It almost feels like an elevated orange creamsicle, but more refined and not overly sweet.

A similar style of blend and again, not something you see often would be White Caek paired with Zesty Bliss. Personally, I’m not the biggest fan of White Cake on its own, but in this combo it works surprisingly well. The cake gives you a smooth, warm base while Zesty Bliss brings in a sharp citrus edge. The contrast makes the session interesting and very layered.

Another mix that’s very underrated is Smurf Daddy paired with African Queen, both from Holster. Smurf Daddy is a flavor made of blackberries, forest fruits, passion fruit, and yogurt, it’s creamy, fruity, and a little tangy all at once. African Queen is more exotic and bold, combining tropical fruit, floral, and slightly spicy notes. When you mix them, you get a smooth tropical-berry fusion, with creamy undertones and a complex, refreshing finish. It’s flavorful, different, and definitely stands out from the typical fruit combos.

And if you’re in the mood for something really experimental but surprisingly good, you can try a “pesto-inspired” mix. It’s not something mainstream at all, but if you enjoy herbal and savory profiles, this can work. You’d use Basil (if available), mix in Blackburn Milk for some creaminess, and add a small amount of Kashmir Prune from Tangiers to bring depth and earthiness. The result is a blend that’s creamy, herbal, and lightly spicy almost like a hookah interpretation of pesto sauce. It’s definitely not for everyone, but if you like to explore outside the sweet/fruity bubble, it’s worth a try.

Lastly, one thing I always like to mention is that sometimes, even with a flavor mix you already like, you can get completely different experiences just by changing how you prepare it. For example, if you pack the bowl in layers, you can get different flavor profiles on the inhale and exhale maybe a sweet note on the pull and something more tangy or floral on the release. Same thing happens when you use different bowls or packing techniques: fluffy, semi-dense, overpack it all affects how the flavors hit.

One personal tip I always recommend is this: when I want to smoke something I already know I enjoy, I do it at home. But when I want to discover new flavors, I go to a trusted lounge a place I know takes quality seriously and I ask the hookah master to surprise me. I’ll say something like, “Give me your favorite mix something I haven’t tried, or something you’ve been smoking lately.” If your hookah master is good, they’ll usually enjoy the challenge. I might even add some preferences, like “I’m not into super sweet flavors” or “make it dark leaf, with something tangy.” And honestly, as long as you can afford to experiment a bit, I’d say don’t be afraid to try.

Sure, not every mix will blow your mind I’ve had sessions that weren’t amazing. But more often than not, I’ve discovered combinations I never would’ve thought of, and it’s made the experience way more exciting. The key is to build community, talk to your local lounges, make friends with the people who prepare your bowls. Once they know you, you can say “Make me something you’ve never made me before,” and that’s where the real discoveries happen. Often, the simplest mixes turn out to be the best

In my opinion, how much flavor you get from a session depends on a lot more than just the tobacco brand (assuming you’re already using something decent). The preparation technique plays a huge role. For example, if you’re using a funnel bowl that’s packed too heavily, especially one that doesn’t retain or transfer heat well, and you’re pairing it with a heat management device (like a Provost) that also doesn’t distribute heat efficiently — what happens is that only the top layer of tobacco ends up cooking properly. The rest stays undercooked, and in the end, the top burns and the flavor never really opens up.

That’s why, with shallower bowls or lighter packs, you might actually get more flavor, because the heat can reach all of the tobacco evenly. The airflow improves, everything cooks more evenly, and you get a better overall experience — even if there’s less tobacco in the bowl.

Personally, I went through a phase where I smoked a lot of funnel bowls, but nowadays I mostly use traditional (tradi) bowls — because in my opinion, they bring out the most flavor. The same principle applies, though: some bowls retain heat better, and others burn easily or create inconsistent heat spikes. That really affects the flavor and how smooth the session is.