The Flavor Apprentice Flavoring Thread

[cliffy15]

*sniff* I SOOO want that honeydew now!

It might turn out that waiting and any feedback will give you a better recipe. =) This was my first attempt at this flavor and the hardest part to choose was what starting percentage of the honeydew I should begin with and what kind of cream, or combinations of creams, should be used.

I picked dulce de leche and vanilla bean ice cream because I wanted a heavier cream but it could be that sweet cream, vanilla bean gelato, vanilla swirl, or bavarian cream (that's what I have) work better.

...

For the record (I will refrain from quoting since the post is huge), I steep with a UC cleaner and warm water. I do this mainly because the most excruciating thing I've found with DIYing is the 1-2 day wait to get a clue of what your final mix will turn out to be.

I agree with Bill that no amount of steeping will make a bad juice good but until I get more than several ADV flavors, as well as I improve my setup to do multiple small batches (OMG all these syringes suck for that) - I need to take a quicker route to the DIYing. The heat steeping (only mild heat as I use warm water) gets me in 20-60 minutes of steeping very close to what the final taste will be like and, therefore, my sequence of adjustments can be done and tested quite quickly.

Also, I steep with closed containers unless my flavors contain ethyl alcohol.

I think my take to testing is slightly different, I have tiny bottles and even a couple of bridgeless atomizers for testing but rarely use them. I make 6-10ml test bottles. And I test in my favorite tank RBAs (GP Heron). My larger test sizes are bad if the juice is not good from the start (like my epic green tea latte fail) but for passable recipes, and better, I like using at least two tankfuls so I get a good idea of what I'm getting, how it might change, and sometimes just to get used to a flavor. Sometimes a juice I don't like on the first few mls will grow on my without any adjustment. Besides, I have a better idea of what starting percentages to use after all the reading, and learning, I've done here. =)

Additionally, the bridgeless atties give me a clue as to what I will be vaping later but it isn't always an adequate representation so I prefer to test it on my standard minicoil, cotton wick build that I vape daily. I won't always fill the tank - sometimes I just drip directly onto the wick.

 

[Bill's Magic Vapor]

It might turn out that waiting and any feedback will give you a better recipe. =) This was my first attempt at this flavor and the hardest part to choose was what starting percentage of the honeydew I should begin with and what kind of cream, or combinations of creams, should be used.

I picked dulce de leche and vanilla bean ice cream because I wanted a heavier cream but it could be that sweet cream, vanilla bean gelato, vanilla swirl, or bavarian cream (that's what I have) work better.

...

For the record (I will refrain from quoting since the post is huge), I steep with a UC cleaner and warm water. I do this mainly because the most excruciating thing I've found with DIYing is the 1-2 day wait to get a clue of what your final mix will turn out to be.

I agree with Bill that no amount of steeping will make a bad juice good but until I get more than several ADV flavors, as well as I improve my setup to do multiple small batches (OMG all these syringes suck for that) - I need to take a quicker route to the DIYing. The heat steeping (only mild heat as I use warm water) gets me in 20-60 minutes of steeping very close to what the final taste will be like and, therefore, my sequence of adjustments can be done and tested quite quickly.

Also, I steep with closed containers unless my flavors contain ethyl alcohol.

I think my take to testing is slightly different, I have tiny bottles and even a couple of bridgeless atomizers for testing but rarely use them. I make 6-10ml test bottles. And I test in my favorite tank RBAs (GP Heron). My larger test sizes are bad if the juice is not good from the start (like my epic green tea latte fail) but for passable recipes, and better, I like using at least two tankfuls so I get a good idea of what I'm getting, how it might change, and sometimes just to get used to a flavor. Sometimes a juice I don't like on the first few mls will grow on my without any adjustment. Besides, I have a better idea of what starting percentages to use after all the reading, and learning, I've done here. =)

Additionally, the bridgeless atties give me a clue as to what I will be vaping later but it isn't always an adequate representation so I prefer to test it on my standard minicoil, cotton wick build that I vape daily. I won't always fill the tank - sometimes I just drip directly onto the wick.

Cliffy, do you taste test your juices at the time of mixing? I get 90 - 95% of final taste in my juices at time of mix. They will either improve with flavor blending, which I can usually detect at time of mix, or they won't (only the vape gods know why). Most will improve with flavor blending, and reach maturity in 24 to 48 hours, but you can tell how good the mix is initially, at least I can, and I don't need to wait for days to tell if something is going to be good. I test mix using the 100DT, which gives me about 2.5ml's, enough to vape in a small tank, and I'll usually make a mix and then vape the tank, unless it's not good, or not right, in which case I just pour the tank out, remix and go again. In this way, I'm vaping 90% or so juice at time of mix. By experience, I have a pretty good idea what this 90% juice is going to taste like a day or two later. In fact, once the bubbles leave the mix (usually within 2 hours), most flavor bonding is done, and then you have a 95% mix. This only works with high flavoring percentage mixes, which do not require long steep times. So, I write this just to clarify the method I use, because it doesn't take days to know whether I have a good juice mix or not.

Using the 100DT, I can change my starting percentages in less than 5 minutes with a new batch. In this way, I can usually find the sweet spot for primaries within ten or fifteen minutes, regardless of mix complexity. This method works....for me, anyway. I do know what my juice is likely to taste like two days from now. Just sayin'.

 

[renilyn]

It might turn out that waiting and any feedback will give you a better recipe. =) This was my first attempt at this flavor and the hardest part to choose was what starting percentage of the honeydew I should begin with and what kind of cream, or combinations of creams, should be used.

I picked dulce de leche and vanilla bean ice cream because I wanted a heavier cream but it could be that sweet cream, vanilla bean gelato, vanilla swirl, or bavarian cream (that's what I have) work better.

...

For the record (I will refrain from quoting since the post is huge), I steep with a UC cleaner and warm water. I do this mainly because the most excruciating thing I've found with DIYing is the 1-2 day wait to get a clue of what your final mix will turn out to be.

I agree with Bill that no amount of steeping will make a bad juice good but until I get more than several ADV flavors, as well as I improve my setup to do multiple small batches (OMG all these syringes suck for that) - I need to take a quicker route to the DIYing. The heat steeping (only mild heat as I use warm water) gets me in 20-60 minutes of steeping very close to what the final taste will be like and, therefore, my sequence of adjustments can be done and tested quite quickly.

Also, I steep with closed containers unless my flavors contain ethyl alcohol.

I think my take to testing is slightly different, I have tiny bottles and even a couple of bridgeless atomizers for testing but rarely use them. I make 6-10ml test bottles. And I test in my favorite tank RBAs (GP Heron). My larger test sizes are bad if the juice is not good from the start (like my epic green tea latte fail) but for passable recipes, and better, I like using at least two tankfuls so I get a good idea of what I'm getting, how it might change, and sometimes just to get used to a flavor. Sometimes a juice I don't like on the first few mls will grow on my without any adjustment. Besides, I have a better idea of what starting percentages to use after all the reading, and learning, I've done here. =)

Additionally, the bridgeless atties give me a clue as to what I will be vaping later but it isn't always an adequate representation so I prefer to test it on my standard minicoil, cotton wick build that I vape daily. I won't always fill the tank - sometimes I just drip directly onto the wick.

Cliffy, do you taste test your juices at the time of mixing? I get 90 - 95% of final taste in my juices at time of mix. They will either improve with flavor blending, which I can usually detect at time of mix, or they won't (only the vape gods know why). Most will improve with flavor blending, and reach maturity in 24 to 48 hours, but you can tell how good the mix is initially, at least I can, and I don't need to wait for days to tell if something is going to be good. I test mix using the 100DT, which gives me about 2.5ml's, enough to vape in a small tank, and I'll usually make a mix and then vape the tank, unless it's not good, or not right, in which case I just pour the tank out, remix and go again. In this way, I'm vaping 90% or so juice at time of mix. By experience, I have a pretty good idea what this 90% juice is going to taste like a day or two later. In fact, once the bubbles leave the mix (usually within 2 hours), most flavor bonding is done, and then you have a 95% mix. This only works with high flavoring percentage mixes, which do not require long steep times. So, I write this just to clarify the method I use, because it doesn't take days to know whether I have a good juice mix or not.

Using the 100DT, I can change my starting percentages in less than 5 minutes with a new batch. In this way, I can usually find the sweet spot for primaries within ten or fifteen minutes, regardless of mix complexity. This method works....for me, anyway. I do know what my juice is likely to taste like two days from now. Just sayin'.

See, I go with Bill on the side of testing and such immediately. Personally however, depending on what I have available to me at the time, I'll usually originally test on the bridgeless attys. If I'm on the border about something, I'll toss a ml or so into a clearo and use it while sitting here or watching TV or something. Then I an decide if it was the lil atty that maybe was the issue, or if it was the actual juice. Since I've only recently come into a mod where I can use an RDA (and it's currently in the middle of being redecorated lol-so shes out of the rotation!) I've been using clearos or glasso's darn near full time. For further reference however, I will NOT, I repeat NOT be using another aluminum drip tip. E-V-E-R! I think I tossed some good juice thinking it was the juice when it was the blasted TIP! So, I think it's very important for folks to consider what equipment they are using when they test a recipe!

 

[xcrazydx]

The 100 drop test doesn't really work for me. Some flavors are too strong to mix that small of a batch. The minimum to get a good test is about 4ml.

Also..
I tried that pecan Danish. All I taste is pecan. I messed around with it and it was still no good. I've been spoiled with a really good juice that I buy which is made from scratch. No pre-made base is gonna match it. They just taste blah compared to his.

So...
No pre-made base is cutting it. I'm back to trying to make it from scratch which is also proving to be difficult.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

 

[renilyn]

The 100 drop test doesn't really work for me. Some flavors are too strong to mix that small of a batch. The minimum to get a good test is about 4ml.

Also..
I tried that pecan Danish. All I taste is pecan. I messed around with it and it was still no good. I've been spoiled with a really good juice that I buy which is made from scratch. No pre-made base is gonna match it. They just taste blah compared to his.

So...
No pre-made base is cutting it. I'm back to trying to make it from scratch which is also proving to be difficult.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

What exactly are you trying to match craz?

 

[xcrazydx]

What exactly are you trying to match craz?

Cedar Creek Steam Works
German pretzel

It's not exactly a Danish, though.
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

 

[Mrscorbin24]

So nothing but junk mail today....so mixed up some other stuff to try soon instead.
1) Bill's key lime pie for my mom the lime fiend, smells divine...I really really like tfa' s key lime, it's fantastic, this is coming from someone who doesn't even like limes, or lime vapes until came across this flavor, it's just really amazing, crisp, clean, bright, fresh, not too sour. I have nothing but high praise for this..amazing smell, I love working with this one. I have lime cold pressed by fa, but honestly haven't bothered even trying it out, tfa' s is perfect for me in mixes for her
2) 7% banana nut bread/3% fr. Vanilla, trial mix
3) Bill's mango custard(used cap sweet mango, what I had) and a papaya version too, first versions for me no sweetener
4) raspberry cupcake-6% raspberry, 3% van. cupcake, 3% whipped cream, 2% bav. cream-trial mix(had to try out the regular raspberry)

MOM I second (base) with Bill amazing post and very useful info, love how your Danish is coming along

 

[renilyn]

Cedar Creek Steam Works
German pretzel

It's not exactly a Danish, though.
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

Sent you a pm

 

[renilyn]

MOM I second (base) with Bill amazing post and very useful info, love how your Danish is coming along

HA! That was a good one MrsC (typed twice as "Mrc"-UGH! lol)

 

[xcrazydx]

Sent you a pm

Sent one back

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

 

[Felipe Ascencio]

Hello , can someone post the key lime pie recipe im missing that one and seems like i got 4 oz keylime in my e liquid lab, lets hope it dont need any sweetener because im really screwed i ran out of it

 

[Bill's Magic Vapor]

The 100 drop test doesn't really work for me. Some flavors are too strong to mix that small of a batch. The minimum to get a good test is about 4ml.

Also..
I tried that pecan Danish. All I taste is pecan. I messed around with it and it was still no good. I've been spoiled with a really good juice that I buy which is made from scratch. No pre-made base is gonna match it. They just taste blah compared to his.

So...
No pre-made base is cutting it. I'm back to trying to make it from scratch which is also proving to be difficult.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

Use bigger drops!

With one drop equaling 1%, a 100 drop test, or 100% of the exact mix that you make at 4 mls, OR 40 mls, I guess I don't understand what you are saying. The only time the volume would ever come into play is when you are using 1/2 percentages (1.5%). Also, the 100 drop test means that the size of the drops does not matter, 100% mix is a complete mix. With my droppers, this works out to be about 2.5 mils. But the size of the dropper is irrelevant.

If a juice has say 25% flavoring, the amount that you make is irrelevant if you use 25 drops of the various ingredients to equal that 25%. It's only a suggestion anyway, and being able to test your juices immediately is a huge advantage in making juice for the many reasons I have already outlined.

 

[xcrazydx]

With one drop equaling 1%, a 100 drop test, or 100% of the exact mix that you make at 4 mls, OR 40 mls, I guess I don't understand what you are saying. The only time the volume would ever come into play is when you are using 1/2 percentages (1.5%). Also, the 100 drop test means that the size of the drops does not matter, 100% mix is a complete mix. With my droppers, this works out to be about 2.5 mils. But the size of the dropper is irrelevant.

If a juice has say 25% flavoring, the amount that you make is irrelevant if you use 25 drops of the various ingredients to equal that 25%. It's only a suggestion anyway, and being able to test your juices immediately is a huge advantage in making juice for the many reasons I have already outlined.

There are some strong flavors and I have to use .5% or less of some. I also use partial percentages to dial in good mixes. It's just better for me to make 5ml batches

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

 

[Bill's Magic Vapor]

There are some strong flavors and I have to use .5% or less of some. I also use partial percentages to dial in good mixes. It's just better for me to make 5ml batches

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

For 1/2 percentages, use 200 drops, or leave them out. It's only a test to allow you to know the final mix is going to likely taste like, and a very useful tool. Beats waiting for days to find out you made a bad batch, imho,.

 

[xcrazydx]

For 1/2 percentages, use 200 drops, or leave them out. It's only a test to allow you to know the final mix is going to likely taste like, and a very useful tool. Beats waiting for days to find out you made a bad batch, imho,.

Actually, 200 drops puts me almost exactly at my 5ml mark. That's just what works best for me.

Haha, I always taste immediately but my custard blends are gonna take at least a month to reach maturity just like nicoticket strawnilla, frenilla, etc.

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[baseballmom]

I like pie. Yes, I'm a pie man. Here's some pies that I like:

Key Lime Pie

Key Lime - 13%
Pie Crust - 3%
Sweetener - 3%
Whipped Cream - 2%



You can learn as much about pie making studying both the similarities and the differences. I can see the evolution in my juice because I remember making each one, and know a few tricks here and there. For example, if you are going to use pie crust, also use graham cracker. Not always true, but true to me today. There are many others. The patterns are there if you are interested. Another thing, some of these recipes are going on two years old. I could probably improve on them today, and so could you! Ciao!

From Bill's post, #3030 in thread, many recipes, re-posting for Felipe...I also added 2% Graham cracker based on his notes under recipes

 

[jimstratus]

For 1/2 percentages, use 200 drops, or leave them out. It's only a test to allow you to know the final mix is going to likely taste like, and a very useful tool. Beats waiting for days to find out you made a bad batch, imho,.

Could I separately mix 1drop flavor and 1 PG then put 1 drop of the mixture in the 100DT for 0.5% or 1 drop flavor and 3 drops PG to get 0.25%? I know mathematically it works out, asking if by doing that in a 100DT if it would accurately reflect the taste of a larger mix. And if not, what are your thoughts on why it would not?

 

[Bill's Magic Vapor]

Could I separately mix 1drop flavor and 1 PG then put 1 drop of the mixture in the 100DT for 0.5% or 1 drop flavor and 3 drops PG to get 0.25%? I know mathematically it works out, asking if by doing that in a 100DT if it would accurately reflect the taste of a larger mix. And if not, what are your thoughts on why it would not?

Sure, that would work fine. I use this to keep my 100 drop tests in line. Because some believe you have to make a larger batch, I have also suggested 200 drop tests. Same thing. Different brain.

 

[Bill's Magic Vapor]

Actually, 200 drops puts me almost exactly at my 5ml mark. That's just what works best for me.

Haha, I always taste immediately but my custard blends are gonna take at least a month to reach maturity just like nicoticket strawnilla, frenilla, etc.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

Or just reformulate to be good later today. Both options work and are valid, just different techniques.

 

[Bill's Magic Vapor]

I tried that pecan Danish. All I taste is pecan. I messed around with it and it was still no good. I've been spoiled with a really good juice that I buy which is made from scratch. No pre-made base is gonna match it. They just taste blah compared to his.

As I mentioned in my OP, some folks will detect too much pecan, some, like me, barely enough. Simply reduce the pecan by a percentage or two and reformulate for your taste sensibilities. I suggest this over and over and over, yet some still think that recipes are absolutes. They are not. They are simply a reflection of what one person finds enjoyable, notwithstanding that we all vape with different gear, at different temperatures, and with different senses of taste. I make juice for me, for the most part, and I started doing that because I cannot buy a single juice that I like. I've tried a couple of hundred, and I don't like them as much as I like my own juice. So, why would I believe that anyone else would like any juice I might make? I don't. We have to tweak every juice to suit ourselves, and if we don't, then we can hardly say we are juice makers. As my gear and wattage has changed over the last year or two, my juices have also changed, just as your juices will change. We have to adapt everything in DIY to match how we vape, and to our own taste sensibilities. What is so valuable for everyone here, is to demonstrate specific changes in recipes that work for you. Add this, subtract that, etc. That's helpful.