Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/550331
42 tobaccoasia Designing and building the pro- prietary production line – which would handle sterilization, process- ing, interim storage, and packaging all in one – took several months. During that time, marketing special- ists began working on promotional materials and campaigns to intro- duce DeCloud in the world market. The product debuted at the 2013 InterTabac Asia in Manila, meeting with overwhelming interest from buyers. DeCloud's success was fur- ther cemented at the recent Inter- Tabac in Dortmund, Germany, Xill iStone retail store display Xill iStone Blueberry-Ice images courtesy of Planta Tabak-Manufaktur GmbH & Co. KG images courtesy of Planta Tabak-Manufaktur GmbH & Co. KG Xill iStone Tropical Dream Dr. Ellen Stiller, c.e.o., Planta Tabak-Manufaktur images courtesy of Planta Tabak-Manufaktur GmbH & Co. KG The future of shisha smoking? Although Tobacco Asia was regrettably unable to secure a one-on-one interview with Germa- ny's XEO Distribution despite all efforts, we find it imperative to at least briefly mention the com- pany's extraordinary XEO Shisha Bowl. We stumbled across it at InterTabac 2014 in Dort- mund and were mightily impressed. Neither another product in the already satu- rated e-shisha market nor, strictly speaking, a traditional shisha head, XEO Shisha Bowl is something of a hybrid; and one that without doubt is bound for tremendous success given the exhi- bition hype it evidently enjoyed. The rather futuristic looking device is manu- factured from heat-resistant specialty plastic and remains cool to the touch even after prolonged use. It is fully electronic (yes, there even are some fancy blinking lights when it's in operation!) and is rechargeable. A USB charger is included in the commercial starter kit. The gadget fits on any regular shisha body and is loaded with a "cartomizer" cartridge. Since the bowl is heated electronically, heat is distrib- uted equally, which ensures consistently good vapor development. The drawing effort is much less strenuous than with a traditional shisha, be- cause an inbuilt pump sucks air into the device. Currently, XEO Shisha Bowl cartomizers are available in eight different flavors: Sunny Peach, Honeydew Melon, Strawberry Mint, Tutti Frutti, Wild Blueberry, Arctic Blue Ice, Lovely Grape, and Sweet Red Apple. where Dekang presented additional flavors. "What customers really like is the fact that we are using real fruits and berries in our unique product. When they smoke our DeCloud strawberry flavor, it's a sensation like biting into a fresh strawberry and having the aroma linger on in your mouth," asserted Wei. Since DeCloud contains no tobacco and is nicotine and tar free, Wei is convinced they have a global winner at hand. Dekang intends to eventually be present in all major shisha markets worldwide. "We are now focusing on establishing more distribution channels and invite any interested parties who would like to represent our truly outstanding product in their respective coun- tries or regions," Wei said. Working best with a vortex or funnel shisha (Wei: "Just use it as you would regular shisha tobacco."), the product, which indeed does resemble chunky fruit jam, currently is available in 20 different flavors, but the com- pany plans to further expand the range in the first quarter of 2015. Get all steamed up, please! So-called "steam stones" for shisha use have been around for a number of years, being offered by numerous companies and under various brand names. But every so often one really needs to leave it up to the Germans to make an innovative product even better and perfect it. Founded in 1956, Berlin-based Planta Tabak-Manufaktur GmbH & Co. KG was a pioneer in introducing post-war Germany to foreign pipe tobaccos. Eventually the company also produced foreign tobacco brands under license, developed its own blends, and started exporting. Few German companies would ever dream of resting on their well-earned laurels, and Planta certainly is no exception. When shisha smoking became popular and gathered more and more fans around Germany and the Euro-