Mainly Flavour Art Cream base?

[Soylent_Seal]

With the kerfuffle that has been happening recently over TFA's continuous discovery of more of their flavors containing custard notes, I've come to the decision to try and avoid all TFA creams all together, along with other flavors that could be suspect.

To this effect I have been experimenting with using solely FA creams but I haven't had much in the way of luck. To give an example, here's a recipe I've been playing with lately:

• Catalan Cream (FA) - 3%
• Fresh Cream (FA) - 1.8%
• Coconut (CA) - 1%
• Orange WG (Inawera) - 0.05% (not a typo, it really is that strong)
• Vanilla Swirl (TFA) 4.15% (I'm letting this one slide since it is a TFA flavor that was specifically made to avoid custard notes)

Even after weeks of steeping, I get absolutely no creaminess to the mixture. I've tried versions with a little marshmallow (cap), a bit more coconut, single note creams (Catalan or Venetian Cream @ 3%), different base flavors (Cap Sweet Strawberry 5%, TFA Juicy Peach).

At this point, I'm going to look like Lex Luthor if I don't stop tearing my hair out. I just can't manage to get the cream to shine through any mix. Has anyone successfully made a FA cream base, any input on what I might be doing wrong, or suggestions on new avenues I might be able to try?

 

[kabalm18]

Awesome thread. Have you tried any of the FA vanillas or FA custard? I need to work on this sometime but am new to FA flavors. Maybe HeadInClouds will chime in...he is the resident FA expert! The sad thing is that we will never recreate the buttery creaminess that the custard notes provide.

 

[Soylent_Seal]

I have Vanilla Bourbon, which is excellent, and FA custard, along with the other vanillas, in my shopping list to buy this week.

 

[Huckleberried]

Do you have the Vienna Cream? HIC recommends that one a lot and I must say, it's quite tasty on it's own. I've used FA Custard and Fresh Cream to sweeten/cream up another flavor. We2rcool also mentioned that the TFA French vanilla was good & creamy. It's NOT on the list of all the bad stuffs, too! I ordered some.

 

[HeadInClouds]

At this point, I'm going to look like Lex Luthor if I don't stop tearing my hair out. I just can't manage to get the cream to shine through any mix. Has anyone successfully made a FA cream base, any input on what I might be doing wrong, or suggestions on new avenues I might be able to try?

I'm not sure I understand your goal, to create a recipe with FA creams only, or mix with cream. I'm not one to steep flavors, so I don't know how helpful any comments I have might be. Maybe I should note I use all-VG base (plus water) as well.

FA's creamiest flavor in my opinion is Vienna Cream. Right around 2.5% as a standalone flavor it tastes like (take your pick) unspiced eggnog, the filling of Boston cream pie, or the vanilla pudding Europeans put in the center of pastries. I get a lot of vanilla, a lot of cream, and a good dose of sweet from it. It tastes more like custard than FA's Custard flavor. I love Vienna by itself, but I also mix lots with it. Your vaping equipment might make a difference, too. I think it's creamiest if you drop down the power - too low voltage tastes bad with lots of creams.

Do you have a favorite flavor that you'd like to add cream to? If so, make the tiniest sample bottles you can manage. Use 2% or 2.5% flavoring, one sample with Vienna, another with Fresh Cream, another with Catalan Cream, one with 2% Custard if you have it. To each sample, add a tiny bit of your favorite flavor, just enough for a hint of that flavor. Mix them well and don't bother steeping. Vape each cream+flavor combination to get a feel for the different effect of each cream. Be sure to try at various voltage, including lower than usual, to see what works for you.

One other note: FA creams change flavor around 3% - they're better with less. With nearly 5% in the mix you mentioned, I don't think I would like it. If I read your post right, you tried them singly at 3%. If so, try a little bit less, because it can make a big difference. And be really sure to lower your voltage as you try them. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[Soylent_Seal]

I'm not sure I understand your goal, to create a recipe with FA creams only, or mix with cream. I'm not one to steep flavors, so I don't know how helpful any comments I have might be. Maybe I should note I use all-VG base (plus water) as well.

FA's creamiest flavor in my opinion is Vienna Cream. Right around 2.5% as a standalone flavor it tastes like (take your pick) unspiced eggnog, the filling of Boston cream pie, or the vanilla pudding Europeans put in the center of pastries. I get a lot of vanilla, a lot of cream, and a good dose of sweet from it. It tastes more like custard than FA's Custard flavor. I love Vienna by itself, but I also mix lots with it. Your vaping equipment might make a difference, too. I think it's creamiest if you drop down the power - too low voltage tastes bad with lots of creams.

Do you have a favorite flavor that you'd like to add cream to? If so, make the tiniest sample bottles you can manage. Use 2% or 2.5% flavoring, one sample with Vienna, another with Fresh Cream, another with Catalan Cream, one with 2% Custard if you have it. To each sample, add a tiny bit of your favorite flavor, just enough for a hint of that flavor. Mix them well and don't bother steeping. Vape each cream+flavor combination to get a feel for the different effect of each cream. Be sure to try at various voltage, including lower than usual, to see what works for you.

One other note: FA creams change flavor around 3% - they're better with less. With nearly 5% in the mix you mentioned, I don't think I would like it. If I read your post right, you tried them singly at 3%. If so, try a little bit less, because it can make a big difference. And be really sure to lower your voltage as you try them. Let us know how it turns out.

Hmm... That could be it. I was trying to be conservative with the creams but I might have still been over-flavoring. I had read that the creams were best around 5% which is why I was aiming for the 3-5% range mixed. I'll give them a try in the 1.5-2.5% range (in 0.5% increments).

As for my goal, I'm looking for a good cream base to use in recipes similar to juices like Seduce's "oil" line or the "milkstone" base I've seen floating around recipe sites. Strawberries & cream, peaches & cream, orange cream, etc... I realize that each recipe would be different but a good base is a way to start before modifying to fit the individual recipe. I just wasn't getting any cream taste as soon as I mixed in any secondary fruit flavors.

Guess I have a lot of mixing to do this afternoon.