The most commonly used tobacco in a hookah is the Virginia blonde leaf, also known as Bright Leaf tobacco. Sometimes this leaf is blended with other Oriental (Turkish) tobacco varieties as well. Typically, the Virginia blonde leaf is flue-cured meaning that it is dried in a heated indoor structure. This process of curing is what gives the Virginia blonde leaf its vibrant yellow/orange color and its sweetness in flavor.
Air-cured tobacco leaves are also used but typically this method is for dark leaf hookah tobacco options that feature higher nicotine contents. Air-curing commonly takes place in an open barn where the leaves are hung up to dry for several weeks. This method also nets a stronger tobacco taste than you’d find in flue-cured tobacco.
Molasses is used as a sweetener and is made from sugarcane. There are other substitutes such as honey and corn syrup, however, molasses is the most common choice amongst modern brands.
Glycerin is another component that is used. It is a great carrier for flavoring and it helps keep the leaves moist. Glycerin is also what produces the majority of cloud output that you see when hookah is exhaled.
The final ingredient is the flavoring that goes into hookah tobacco. Unlike some other tobacco variants such as cigars and cigarettes, one of the main characteristics of hookah is the flavor. Traditionally, the hookah tobacco was flavored using dry fruits. Some of the most common flavorings were lemon, apple, grape, and even mint. Today, food-grade flavoring extracts are used in hookah tobacco and there are hundreds of flavors available.