So here's my question of the day!
What do you guys do to add that edge as far as enhancers go. We know commonly that we use TA and AP frequently but what else do you guys use,
To start off with I'll post my blog on sweetening and additives
Sweetening and additives
Many have asked if there is a rule of thumb when it comes to this subject. Well the simple answer is there are none.
Oh yes there is one rule of thumb. "Add nothing to the mix until you've steeped and tasted it".
The following is an explanation of additives and sweetening. It is my personal opinion and should be taken as such.
Vinegar and Lemon
Vinegar is used to perk up tobacco flavors. I usually find people adding this when in fact the problem was they just didn't add enough tobacco flavor the first time and the flavor faded after it steeped. It can some times blend tobacco flavors when using more then one type of tobacco but there are better additives to blend such as FS's Vape wizard. Vinegar is typically used at 1 drop per 5ml. It's been my experience that it will make flavors pop at first but then the flavor fades again over a few days.
Lemon juice is used to perk up fruit and candy mixes and the same can be said for that as well. Make sure you add the correct amount of flavor and let it steep first before making any adjustments. Also the lack of flavor could also be caused by over flavoring which will lead to a absents of flavor. Lemon Juice is typically used at 1 drop per 5ml. It's been my experience that it will make flavors pop at first but then the flavor fades again over a few days
Think of vinegar and lemon juice as a tool of last resort. Because the problem is most likely a mistake you made along the way in your mix.
A better use for the too is to use it to try to salvage an old juice that has already faded to a point of no taste at all.
What exactly is sweetener?
Humm good question.
EM is not really a sweetener it changes the chemical composition of the mix and changes the perception of the way your taste buds sense flavor. EM is used more to thicken, give body and wetness to a mix as well as smooth out ruff edges. It may give already sweet flavoring a slight perception of more sweetness but will also tend to mute the actual flavor. Typical usage is .5 - 1%. I personally use no more then .5%
Sucarlose is a splenda type sweetener and small amounts will add lots and lots of sweetness so you need to be careful with percentages. This is a good choice for your candies, desert, fruit and creamy mixes. This can be found in 5 or 10% premixed solutions and should be used starting at .5% - 2%. Remember using very little gives a lot of sweetness.
I'm nuts about nuttyness
Acetyl Pyrazine (AP)
taste description: Roasted, nutty, bready and yeasty, with popcorn and corn chip nuances
good for graham gracker flavors
This is a good choice for your tobacco nuttyness such as found in your 555, Highway, T5 mixes or any mix in need of a nuttyness.
Caution should be used as this is a very potent flavor molecule.
1 - 2% will give you a nice nutty flavor
2.5 - 3% will give you a corn chip taste
3 - 5% will give you a burnt corn chip flavor.
Adding thickness and body to a mix
To add thickness and body to a mix I use marshmallo flavoring or EM. I use just a tiny amount to give it a thickness and body and not to add an actual marshmallo or a sweet taste. I recommend no more then .5% (that's point five percent)
Wetting or adding moisture
To help minimize the drying effect and throat irritation that vaping causes add 4 - 6% of .09 saline solution or distilled water to your mix.. The higher the VG content the more you will want to add. Saline tends to give a softer wetter taste then distilled water but some have said that they can taste the salt. I myself have not noticed a salty taste in my mixes. Normally adding saline or DW to high VG mixes will thin the mix allowing the juice to better wick eliminating dry hits and add the benefit of a less harsh and a wetter vape.
Conclusion
The recommend percentages are a baseline to start with. "TASTE IS VERY SUBJECTIVE" So let your taste buds be your guide. Always start with the lowest recommended amount, Steep, taste then adjust.
My other vaping blogs can be seen at:
dannyv45's blog | E-Cigarette Forum
