Advice about testing flavors....

[DorianC]

Hello experts,
I've heard of water testing flavors (new combinaions, etc) with water. How is this done?
I know it sounds simple, but is it effective?

Thank you,

 

[ddirtyvapes]

This is more for DIY flavors, so I'm going to assume that's what you're asking.

It is, indeed, stupid simple.

I literally just fill a shot glass with water and add one single drop of a new flavoring and swish it around in my mouth to gauge the flavor itself as well as the strength. They are food-grade flavors so can be swallowed or spit. (I actually make flavored seltzer using the same flavors I use in e-liquid).

Because it is so imprecise, it is one of those things that requires a certain amount of experience to be effective. One has no way to really know just how strong a flavor is if there's no frame of reference, though you'll always know if it tastes good to you.

That's about all there is to it, though some may have a different process or think something different when they hear "water testing."

 

[SeniorBoy]

Yep! As previously posted testing a single flavor in water is one way among others. I've heard of others and have my preferred way but whatever works for you is fine.

I use a cheap dripper (rda) with a Ekowool wick so it's easy to clean and burn the wick to eliminate the previous flavor. Only takes a couple of drops to test each flavor. The final mix is tested the same way. I normally mix at least 2 or 3 small batches of the final mix and work my way through each batch and take notes. Changing the % of the components in each batch. Sometimes I let them just sit for a few days and return to each batch throughout the day trying to figure out what works best for me. For me, testing each single flavor is only a ballpark guide but should always be done.

Real deal "flavorist" with trained noses and lots of experience use a single drop on the tip of cardboard and wave it in front of their nose. Single flavor and the final mix.

As previously noted, all of these techniques are imperfect but far better than not testing each flavor and thus getting you in the ballpark on a given single flavor. Here is a real world example of how "pairing" can change the final mix.

FA Banana - tested and seems week
FA Pear - tested and kind of subtle but nothing special

Use the above two in a mix and the FA Banana springs to life and becomes much more prominent and the Pear fades to almost nothing. I've also heard of testing a single flavor in cool wip but never tried it. A single drop of a single flavor on the tip of your finger and then a taste. Tried this a few times just for kicks.

Good luck with DIY and have fun!