Why We Created NOCCA - A Charcoal-Free Solution for Shisha Designed for Every Space

Shisha has always been about tradition—flavor, ritual, and connection. But one part of the experience hasn’t aged well: charcoal. At NOCCA, we set out to solve this problem—and what started as an idea became a multi-year journey. Here’s why we created NOCCA.

NOCCA eHMS - Clean, Smart, Charcoal-Free Shisha Innovation

“Coal distorts the taste—and pollutes your space.”

Anyone who has ever prepared a shisha session knows the story. Lighting charcoal is messy, managing it is labor-intensive, and if something goes wrong—like a coal falling on the carpet—it’s usually a disaster. But the problem runs deeper than just convenience or safety. Coal changes the flavor of the tobacco. It burns hotter and less predictably over time, releasing toxic by-products and volatile gases. Within 30 to 45 minutes, the tobacco begins to char, and the harsh taste of burned coal starts to overpower the original flavor.

This is the reality we faced for years. A centuries-old tradition—rich in flavor, connection, and ritual—being compromised by one outdated component: charcoal.

We started to ask ourselves the obvious question:Was there a way to eliminate coal altogether?

The Spark of an Idea

This idea didn’t come out of nowhere—it grew from real, day-to-day challenges. Outside of NOCCA, we operate several shisha lounges in Bratislava. In 2021, as we explored expanding into upscale venues like hotel bars and luxury lounges, we kept running into the same obstacle. These places were genuinely interested in offering shisha to their guests—but nearly every conversation ended the same way:

“What if someone drops a hot coal on our leather couch?” “We just renovated—can’t risk burn marks on the flooring.” “Coal indoors? Insurance won’t even allow it.”

That feedback made the challenge painfully clear: shisha as we knew it wasn’t welcome in many modern environments—not because of the experience itself, but because of coal. And when we looked at the alternatives, we found… nothing. There were some experimental electric concepts floating around, but nothing that delivered the full shisha experience people expect.

That’s when the vision for NOCCA was born.

Over 30 Prototypes. One Big Breakthrough.

Early-stage sketches and visual explorations shaping the vision of our upcoming product

We believed electricity could be the key—but transforming that belief into a reliable product was its own challenge. Over the span of two years, we developed more than 30 prototypes, each testing a different approach. To go deeper, we partnered with a university professor specializing in thermal energy systems. Alongside his team, we spent months exploring a fundamental question: Can we replicate the heat behavior of burning coal—without actually burning the tobacco?

In the early stages, we experimented with every material and heating method we could source. Most of these trials failed miserably. The heat distribution was inconsistent, the taste was compromised, and the smoke just wasn’t there.

First working prototypes — bringing our ideas to life and testing core functionality.

But after 18 months of relentless testing and refinement, we finally had a breakthrough. We discovered a specific method that mimics the heat profile of coal—without the toxic by-products. The tobacco remained intact, the smoke was dense, and most importantly, the flavor came through clean and pure.

A Coal-Free Solution That Enhances Flavor

With the breakthrough came clarity: NOCCA eHMS isn’t just a coal replacement—it’s an enhancement of the entire shisha experience.

We didn’t want to strip away the traditions or the rituals people love about shisha. We wanted to upgrade them. So we made it simple:

• Compatible with most shisha bowls / setups 

• Just pack the shisha. Press a button. Enjoy your session.

• No lighter. No coal tray. No metal tongs.

• No need to supervise the session like a fire hazard waiting to happen.

Early users tell us the flavor is not only preserved—it’s cleaner, richer, and more noticeable. You’re finally tasting the true flavor of your tobacco, untainted by the smokiness of coal. That alone makes a world of difference, especially for premium tobaccos.

Smart Technology Meets Tradition

Shisha is ancient. But that doesn’t mean it can’t evolve.

With NOCCA, we’re bringing smart technology into the world of hookah. Our vision includes a fully integrated IoT experience:

• Heating presets for different tobacco types or flavor profiles

• Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connection to control the device

• Session time tracking, battery life indicators, and more

This is shisha, reimagined for the modern world—without losing the essence of what makes it great.

A Win for Hospitality and Business

From a business standpoint, NOCCA makes sense. For venues, it removes the biggest barriers to offering shisha indoors:

• No fire risk

• No coal handling

• No ash disposal

• No burns, no mess

It also significantly reduces recurring costs. One NOCCA unit can replace thousands of euros worth of coal over its lifetime. Lounge staff no longer need to constantly monitor, replace, and manage coal trays. That means lower operational stress and higher efficiency.

For hospitality, it’s a tool to offer shisha in places where it was previously impossible. From rooftop bars to hotel terraces and luxury lounges, NOCCA unlocks new revenue streams with minimal overhead.

Nocca is a charcoal-free solution for shisha designed for every space

Changing Minds, One Session at a Time

Of course, not everyone embraces change overnight. Some older users who’ve been smoking shisha with coal for 20+ years might resist the idea. That’s normal. Just like with the early days of heated tobacco devices, some smokers didn’t even see the problem with what they were doing—until a better solution came along.

We’ve found that education is key. Once people understand how coal affects their health, their air, and even their flavor—they’re open to trying something new.

And when they try NOCCA? They rarely want to go back.

A Movement Bigger Than Us

Our mission goes beyond product development. We believe NOCCA can do for shisha what IQOS and other heated products have done for smoking: Introduce a safer, cleaner, and more modern alternative—without compromising on satisfaction.

The market is evolving. Consumers are more conscious about health, safety, and convenience. NOCCA is our answer to that shift—a product that serves the growing demand for clean experiences without sacrificing tradition.

The Tradition You Love—Upgraded

At its core, shisha is about more than smoke. It’s about connection, relaxation, and culture. We created NOCCA to protect those elements while removing the outdated parts that no longer serve us—coal being the biggest one.

It took years of development, dozens of failures, and one key insight: You don’t need coal to enjoy shisha.

With NOCCA, we offer you the tradition you love—Upgraded for the modern world.

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