Steeping / recipe building techniques / strategies

[Kenna]

Quick question that's not entirely clear to me. Will a juice "steep" better in an open bottle, exposed to air, or will it make no difference beyond the first day and simply require time (generic question, I'm sure there are exceptions for every juice)?

An open bottle is allowing alchohol or chemical molecules to escape from the bottle. Occasional shaking mixes air into the liquid & then you uncap the bottle, & as the bubbles pop it helps that process along. That is not steeping. Steeping is letting a closed bottle sit & allowing all the flavors to mingle, mix & combine & bond into one flavor. Shaking occasionally helps this happen.

 

[Eskie]

An open bottle is allowing alchohol or chemical molecules to escape from the bottle. Occasional shaking mixes air into the liquid & then you uncap the bottle, & as the bubbles pop it helps that process along. That is not steeping. Steeping is letting a closed bottle sit & allowing all the flavors to mingle, mix & combine & bond into one flavor. Shaking occasionally helps this happen.

So vent by airing out, then let it sit a while with an occasional shake for the sake of mixing. That's pretty consistent with my stumbling along experience to date. I already keep a record of every batch of anything I mix, including the date or preparation. I guess I should add comments on my mixes that reflect how long they sat for as well. Thanks!

 

[Kenna]

So vent by airing out, then let it sit a while with an occasional shake for the sake of mixing. That's pretty consistent with my stumbling along experience to date. I already keep a record of every batch of anything I mix, including the date or preparation. I guess I should add comments on my mixes that reflect how long they sat for as well. Thanks!

I put the dates on my labels.

 

[Eskie]

I put the dates on my labels.

Me too. I lean towards good documentation with this stuff. Better than the opposite.

 

[IDJoel]

Quick question that's not entirely clear to me. Will a juice "steep" better in an open bottle, exposed to air, or will it make no difference beyond the first day and simply require time (generic question, I'm sure there are exceptions for every juice)?

Yep. It is going to be dependent on specific flavors used. Allowing the mix to rest with an open top is used to vent, or off-gas, undesired elements like alcohol and volatile (easily evaporated) compounds that have unwanted taste.

The down side of resting with the top off is you will also be loosing the desired volatile notes (many of the lighter, more floral, notes that often find in the more "fragrant" types of flavors.This can cause loss if targeted/intended flavors.

I always vape a few drops of a freshly made recipe; and if there are harsh, or unpleasant notes/tastes, then I will usually give it a few hours with the top open. If nothing offends, or if I am working on a particularly light or aromatic recipe, I will avoid leaving the cap off.

 

[Kenna]

Yep. It is going to be dependent on specific flavors used. Allowing the mix to rest with an open top is used to vent, or off-gas, undesired elements like alcohol and volatile (easily evaporated) compounds that have unwanted taste.

The down side of resting with the top off is you will also be loosing the desired volatile notes (many of the lighter, more floral, notes that often find in the more "fragrant" types of flavors.This can cause loss if targeted/intended flavors.

I always vape a few drops of a freshly made recipe; and if there are harsh, or unpleasant notes/tastes, then I will usually give it a few hours with the top open. If nothing offends, or if I am working on a particularly light or aromatic recipe, I will avoid leaving the cap off.

Yepn venting is not always needed.

 

[IDJoel]

Yepn venting is not always needed.

I wasn't venting! Oh, you mean the bottles. (LOL )

You're absolutely right Kenna. Sometimes it can actually be counterproductive and rob your recipe of desirable flavors.