Menthol crystals or menthol juice?

[champions]

I'm frustrated with menthol crystals. No accurate way to measure and every batch tastes different (as far as the menthol is concerned).

Thinking about getting some menthol flavoring from PA. Is all menthol juice made from menthol crystals? Will the menthol flavoring from PA taste like the crystals I have? Does a little of the menthol flavoring (PA) go a long way?

Thanks.

Personally I don't even like menthol so it's beginning to overpower every flavor in my mouth trying to mix just the right juice (that I can duplicate) for my GF.

 

[Hoosier]

Confused.

I got the crystals. Crushed them and put them in a small dripper bottle. Added a bit of PGA and then a little more until it was just enough to dissolve them.

Then I use the liquid. It has been pretty consistent for me.

It is quite strong and I use it like a spice... drop per 5ml or whatever I do for a particular recipe.

 

[champions]

thats my point. How much did you mix into the PGA? I want something where the recipe can be replicated "exactly"?

Thats why I would like to use the menthol juice, but wonder if it has the same menthol characteristics?

 

[Hoosier]

Oh, that.

1/4 of a teaspoon. But since I use just enough PGA to dissolve the solids, it would be the same strength no mater how much I used to make my bottle.

I would think that menthol is menthol.

Might want to try a mint instead of menthol if you want to get away from menthol, but want some coolness.

 

[champions]

Thanks

 

[RedneckHippy]

Haven't done it yet, but I would think that if you crush the crystals down into a powder, you would be able to measure them more accurately

 

[Scubabatdan]

For what it is worth....

I have stopped crushing the crystals into powder, and fill a 500ml bottle full of crystals and tap the bottle to settle/compact the cystals until I cannot get anymore in to it. Once it is full I begin adding PGA (Everclear) until all of the crystals are saturated and fill to the top with the PGA. Cap it, shake, and immerse it in hot water for 30 min. When I pull it out all of the crystals are dissolved and I have 500ml of concentrate (the same everytime), then use at 3-5%. This will work with smaller batches like a 10ml bottle. Just make sure you pack the bottle full and then add the PGA.
Hope this helps,
Dan

Yes.... I make a lot of juice

 

[Hoosier]

Wow, I'm still on my original 5ml bottle.

Some folks think I make a lot of juice... I'm a piker...

 

[VaporSmith]

I had the same issues with crystals - quickly switched to menthol drops. A large bottle from TPA is cheap, convenient and easy to measure for consistency. Taste was the same as crystals. Good luck !

 

[redgirl]

I also just use menthol drops that I got from DIYFlavorshack. Just easier for me!