The Flavor Apprentice Flavoring Thread

[Bill's Magic Vapor]

I don't recall seeing the "Sprite" recipe Bill. Would you mind reposting, I've been working on a "Mountain Dew" with citrus punch as the base flavor as time permits. Coming from you I'm sure it would surely be a great model for it and other drink recipes. I tried your key lime pie yesterday for something outside my normal wheel house and must agree it's very tasty.

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Sprite is just lemon lime and sweetener. Spot on too, but an incomplete mix. I mixed at 5% lemon lime, added 1% sweetener, and tasted Sprite. I think it needs more work, but sprite is sprite and quite good, even with this simple flavoring. We should develop it further.

 

[Nic-holio]

Will be mixing up some of the grape bubbleburst myself tonight! Just gotta get a little after-hours work stuff done before I can put the mad scientist hat on.

WOW.

Just... WOW.

Bill, you rock.

First mix of any of your recipes. I did it straight, exactly what that recipe called for.

It's really, really good.

And my first vape at 70% VG too! (50% was my highest so far)

 

[Nic-holio]

PS: used TFA Raspberry @2% to counter the grape candy.

 

[Bill's Magic Vapor]

WOW.

Just... WOW.

Bill, you rock.

First mix of any of your recipes. I did it straight, exactly what that recipe called for.

It's really, really good.

And my first vape at 70% VG too! (50% was my highest so far)

Yeppers! Who would of known that grape bubblegum and grape starburst mixed together would be a great vape, huh? But, it is sssooooooooooo good, imho! Glad you liked it. I have some others you might like. Great, right of the can, little to no steeping required.....just the way I like it!

Welcome to DIY! Vape Heaven on Earth! Ciao!

Yeah, the grape will tear you up with chemical/floral without it! Works great though with the Raspberry or Strawberry too!

 

[MonicaRae]

Good eye, my friend. Sometimes I use it, sometimes not. I'm moody!

Vanilla Custard is such an uncooperative and difficult flavoring, it does benefit from smooth, more so than many mixes. Smooth is an excellent additive to blend flavorings together, I occasionally use it for uncooperative mixes, those that go floral and chemical, etc. It rounds out the edges, so to speak, and I do like it. Eggnog can be a beast in the mix if you don't get the other flavorings just right, so smooth can help round it out. I probably started with smooth and ended up without it, yet I still retain it in my notes, though I might not have posted it before. A great additive!

Ahhh maybe this is what I need! I haven't made your particular recipe for vanilla custard - no eggnog - but I have made like 3 different mixes of my own. They've been good and sure I vaped em but not WOW this is great!
I tried caramel - no caramel - hazelnut - no hazelnut - dulce de leche - no dulce de leche lol... but it wasn't those flavors it was the actual custard.

I'm not using tfa custard though I'm using cap v.1 (I do not need a lecture tyvm - that's not to u Bill I know your views) It is a fact that it transforms with time but still I wasn't getting A WOW that everyone was talking about.

Maybe Smooth is the answer?

So Smooth actually smooths out the mix? It's kinda hard to figure out what a rough mix is or when smooth is needed...no (well for me anyways)? How would you all describe it?

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[Bill's Magic Vapor]

Ahhh maybe this is what I need! I haven't made your particular recipe for vanilla custard - no eggnog - but I have made like 3 different mixes of my own. They've been good and sure I vaped em but not WOW this is great!
I tried caramel - no caramel - hazelnut - no hazelnut - dulce de leche - no dulce de leche lol... but it wasn't those flavors it was the actual custard.

I'm not using tfa custard though I'm using cap v.1 (I do not need a lecture tyvm - that's not to u Bill I know your views) It is a fact that it transforms with time but still I wasn't getting A WOW that everyone was talking about.

Maybe Smooth is the answer?

So Smooth actually smooths out the mix? It's kinda hard to figure out what a rough mix is or when smooth is needed...no (well for me anyways)? How would you all describe it?

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I wasted six months on a vanilla custard using Capella's. Using TFA I got it down in less than an hour. I worked on perfecting Stevo's Vanilla Custard for a long time, and you can still read my ECF notes on that thread. We were after Grant's Vanilla Custard. THIS was the defining moment for me. Always slightly off using capellas, waiting on average six weeks for it steep and become good. Using TFA, less than an hour. THIS was when I adopted my thinking about high flavor mixes with TFA flavorings. Using Capellas was not the WAYand long steep....ALWAYS just a little off. HFM with TFA.....IMMEDIATE GREAT JUICE. Also, because Capellas nutmeg is so awful, it took weeks to dissipate....THIS was the defining moment....IF the mix is not good ATM (at time of mix), then it will never be great. OK Good?.....maybe.....NEVER great! Obviously, there can be exceptions, but THIS was the defining moment that led to a new way of mixing for me.....the one I share here every day. I nearly quit DIY. I couldn't quite get it right. I could buy juices I liked, I couldn't make them. THIS was the defining moment for me.....No Capellas, no offending flavorings, no steeping, high flavor mixes....INSTANT vapable juice. Want some good vanilla custard? Try TFA high flavor mixes with vanilla custard. Easy peasy. And YES, it improves slightly with time, but it's really good ATM, the missus ADV that first year. Nuff said.

 

[MonicaRae]

Oh I agree with you in the aspect of if your juice doesn't taste good right after mixing then it's pretty much a bust. I may -- MAY-- save something and try it again later but seriously I've never had anything turn from garbage to good juice nevermind great juice. I honestly don't see how is possibly but like you've said in the past some ppl live by this. I've even read posts where ppl are like "it tastes like cat piss immediately but after 6 weeks is great" ARE U KIDDING ME??

Who in their right mind wants to wait 6 weeks for a juice? Then what if u wanna tweak it? Another 6 weeks? Holy Cow.

I have adopted from you most of your process. I do use HFM - not always as I did find out it's not always necessary for some weird reason. I made a mix that had 14.5% total flavoring and it was awesome off the bat - I was SO surprised. And honestly it hasn't changed much with steeping. Mind u steeping for me is just time. Nothing fancy.

But my whole point is I basically agree with you.

As far as custard goes I guess TFA custard will be in my list for when I need to reorder. I was also told by a vendor friend (a pretty big well know one) to definitely go out and get FW Vanilla Custard. So I plan on getting both. That'll be fun I'll have all 3 to make comparisons lols..
Has anyone else ever talked to a juice maker? They are so vague and so careful with the info they give! I'll ask a direct question of course nothing crazy and he'll change the subject - too funny. He doesn't wanna give away any secrets I guess.....

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[AndriaD]

I wasted six months on a vanilla custard using Capella's. Using TFA I got it down in less than an hour. I worked on perfecting Stevo's Vanilla Custard for a long time, and you can still read my ECF notes on that thread. We were after Grant's Vanilla Custard. THIS was the defining moment for me. Always slightly off using capellas, waiting on average six weeks for it steep and become good. Using TFA, less than an hour. THIS was when I adopted my thinking about high flavor mixes with TFA flavorings. Using Capellas was not the WAYand long steep....ALWAYS just a little off. HFM with TFA.....IMMEDIATE GREAT JUICE. Also, because Capellas nutmeg is so awful, it took weeks to dissipate....THIS was the defining moment....IF the mix is not good ATM (at time of mix), then it will never be great. OK Good?.....maybe.....NEVER great! Obviously, there can be exceptions, but THIS was the defining moment that led to a new way of mixing for me.....the one I share here every day. I nearly quit DIY. I couldn't quite get it right. I could buy juices I liked, I couldn't make them. THIS was the defining moment for me.....No Capellas, no offending flavorings, no steeping, high flavor mixes....INSTANT vapable juice. Want some good vanilla custard? Try TFA high flavor mixes with vanilla custard. Easy peasy. And YES, it improves slightly with time, but it's really good ATM, the missus ADV that first year. Nuff said.

I needed to read this! I've been using CAP Vanilla Custard v2, and in vaping, it's not too bad (to my tastebuds)... but I tried out 2 drops of it in my cocoa... and it wasn't good at all, just too artificial tasting.

TFA's "Vanilla Swirl" is the diketone-free version of their Vanilla Custard, right? If so, then I think that needs to be on my NEXT order.

Thx!!
Andria

 

[sc12]

Lemonade is a tough one. Can't really make it using only TFA flavorings, as you can't get that citrus/sour bite into the juice. So, you can try FW or LorAnn. LorAnn probably tastes the best, but like battery acid, this stuff eats right through plastic. It is good. I have a recipe:

Lemonade

FW/LA Lemonade - 14%
Cotton Candy - 10%
Honey - 1%
Tart and Sour - 5%

This is good stuff. Use glass or metal tanks, though, no plastic syringes, etc. Store in Glass. You can probably skip brushing your teeth with this vape too.

For a raspberry lemonade, I think I would start here:

Raspberry Lemonade

Raspberry - 7%
FW/LA Lemonade - 10%
Tart and Sour - 4% (LA?)
Cotton Candy - 8%
Honey - 1%

Haven't made this but I would start close to here, use the 100DT taste test method to adjust ingredients up or down, you'll have you mix in 30 minutes or less. Sounds good too! Good luck!

LOL Will this etch your teeth? Yipes!

 

[baseballmom]

I needed to read this! I've been using CAP Vanilla Custard v2, and in vaping, it's not too bad (to my tastebuds)... but I tried out 2 drops of it in my cocoa... and it wasn't good at all, just too artificial tasting.

TFA's "Vanilla Swirl" is the diketone-free version of their Vanilla Custard, right? If so, then I think that needs to be on my NEXT order.

Thx!!
Andria

Yes it is Another good one to look into, that you might be interested in if you don't already have(?) would be vanilla bean gelato, a few of us here like it a lot too and has good reviews on BCV also, contains but. acid, but not the others you don't want.

Perfumers Apprentice - Vanilla Bean Gelato
Perfumers Apprentice - Vanilla Swirl Flavor

 

[AndriaD]

Yes it is Another good one to look into, that you might be interested in if you don't already have(?) would be vanilla bean gelato, a few of us here like it a lot too and has good reviews on BCV also, contains but. acid, but not the others you don't want.

Perfumers Apprentice - Vanilla Bean Gelato
Perfumers Apprentice - Vanilla Swirl Flavor

Yeah I just got that one in my order that arrived yesterday.

I think the thing is... when I've used the CAP Vanilla Custard v2 in ejuice, it's been accompanied by so many other flavors, it kinda overwhelmed the artificial taste; but in cocoa, which is very familiar to me both with and without added vanilla, the artificial taste was glaringly apparent with just 2 drops into a 9oz mug. I can probably keep using the VC v2 in recipes that have a lot of different, stronger flavors (like my strawberry recipe), but in a recipe that doesn't have many flavors, that artificial taste is going to stick out like a sore thumb. So I need to replace it.

Andria

 

[CampbellMC]

So I constantly see people saying that using the Bulk order section from TFA gives the best prices. However I am up in Canada and I am wondering if that will give me any issues. Do they ship to Canada (without costing an arm and a leg)? Will customs give me any issues getting it across the border (nicotine free so I don't see why they would). I wouldn't mind waiting the extra bit for shipping time if I can save money.

Also you mentioned the raspberry lemonade is very hard to get with TFA flavors, I found this recipe post a couple times and a couple others said it was good aswell:

Raspberry(Sweet) - 8%
Lemon - 6%
EM - 2%

Wondering if anyone here has mixed this up, and couldn't you order their "Sour" additive to get the sour you said TFA struggles with?

 

[b.m.]

Yes it is Another good one to look into, that you might be interested in if you don't already have(?) would be vanilla bean gelato, a few of us here like it a lot too and has good reviews on BCV also, contains but. acid, but not the others you don't want.

I absolutely could not agree more.Anyone who likes vanilla should have this flavor,it should be mandatory haha.This is about the only flavor i have used from any brand that is great as a stand alone.I used it as my adv for a few months.Mixed at 5% by itself,it is fantastic.It's been a while,next time i do some mixing,i think i'll make another batch of it up.

 

[vincom]

So I constantly see people saying that using the Bulk order section from TFA gives the best prices. However I am up in Canada and I am wondering if that will give me any issues. Do they ship to Canada (without costing an arm and a leg)? Will customs give me any issues getting it across the border (nicotine free so I don't see why they would). I wouldn't mind waiting the extra bit for shipping time if I can save money.

Also you mentioned the raspberry lemonade is very hard to get with TFA flavors, I found this recipe post a couple times and a couple others said it was good aswell:

Raspberry(Sweet) - 8%
Lemon - 6%
EM - 2%

Wondering if anyone here has mixed this up, and couldn't you order their "Sour" additive to get the sour you said TFA struggles with?

it has no nic so it will pass customs, after all its just flavorings and used by many other than vapers.
duties and taxes are another matter

 

[CampbellMC]

Wonder what the duties and taxes would be then. The prices from TFA for a 4oz bottle are about the same as what I pay for a 2oz bottle in Canada, and some flavors go even cheaper. I haven't had much experience with paying duties for passing the border, last time I had to was years ago when I had a friend from the states build a computer for me, they tore it apart at customs (I had to reconnect the drives and PSU), and then charged me roughly 15% of the total value of the computer. So if it comes down to paying 15% at the border, it would still be worth it.

 

[Nic-holio]

Yeppers! Who would of known that grape bubblegum and grape starburst mixed together would be a great vape, huh? But, it is sssooooooooooo good, imho! Glad you liked it. I have some others you might like. Great, right of the can, little to no steeping required.....just the way I like it!

Welcome to DIY! Vape Heaven on Earth! Ciao!

Yeah, the grape will tear you up with chemical/floral without it! Works great though with the Raspberry or Strawberry too!

Thanks so much Bill. This really is a tasty vape. I also want to try the variations where it's either/or with the TFA bubblegum or starburst flavorings - but this is really very good. I've got a small sampler of TFA black cherry from my first flavoring run I also want to try this with.

I just set it in a pot of hot water (from the tap, not on stove or anything), shaking it up and putting it back in the pot every few minutes, while I re-wicked the Infinite Lava (Magma clone). Probably total of about 20 minutes in the pot (I'm fairly new to coil building and re-wicking so I'm still kinda slow haha). The first couple vapes were a little odd, just from the change from straight menthol/PG/VG mix I was vaping before, but then my taste buds kicked in and I could taste it - the bubblegum, the grape, the Vanilla and cream and the sweet & tart. It was all there! LOL I refilled the juice well a couple times before I went to bed and then when I got up this morning I filled the tank up on the RTA with it. Have been vaping it all day.

Will definitely be adding the grape candy/jolly rancher to the first bigger bottle order I put in at TFA. It's great.

This is pretty @#$!! exciting - hopefully after some more recipe following I'll have a sense of the flavorings worked up and can start doing some experimenting as well.

Thanks again Bill!

 

[ozen]

Wonder what the duties and taxes would be then. The prices from TFA for a 4oz bottle are about the same as what I pay for a 2oz bottle in Canada, and some flavors go even cheaper. I haven't had much experience with paying duties for passing the border, last time I had to was years ago when I had a friend from the states build a computer for me, they tore it apart at customs (I had to reconnect the drives and PSU), and then charged me roughly 15% of the total value of the computer. So if it comes down to paying 15% at the border, it would still be worth it.

Check with your local customs duties and taxes. You could also use this website Import duty & taxes made easy | DutyCalculator to get a rough idea on how much you need to pay customs

 

[MonicaRae]

I was actually reading thru some of Stevos Vanilla Custard thread yesterday and I came across your - Bills - posts. I remember reading where you said it was really good around week 5 or something like that. I can totally see it being the cap vanilla custard. It takes forever to be really good. I'm actually gonna mix up some of it although I don't have eggnog (and I don't plan on ordering it either)
Next order I'll grab some tfa vanilla custard but I'm also gonna try some FW just for kicks. It's funny cuz I don't care for too many vendor custards but I like my own - so far even though they haven't came out perfectly but I still prefer them.

Actually I prefer ALL my juices to any bought juices lol!!

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[Bill's Magic Vapor]

I was actually reading thru some of Stevos Vanilla Custard thread yesterday and I came across your - Bills - posts. I remember reading where you said it was really good around week 5 or something like that. I can totally see it being the cap vanilla custard. It takes forever to be really good. I'm actually gonna mix up some of it although I don't have eggnog (and I don't plan on ordering it either)
Next order I'll grab some tfa vanilla custard but I'm also gonna try some FW just for kicks. It's funny cuz I don't care for too many vendor custards but I like my own - so far even though they haven't came out perfectly but I still prefer them.

Actually I prefer ALL my juices to any bought juices lol!!

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The problems was the Cap's nutmeg. It took about 5 weeks for the nutmeg to dissipate enough to be any good. I found that Cap's Vanilla Custard is only so-so. The TFA vanilla custard and nutmeg combination is far better, and immediately so, but that's just my impression. During that time frame, I had numerous discussions via email with participants of the Stevo's mixing group, and most of us decided that low percentage mixes taking weeks to develop flavoring that was vapable was not the way to go, and I ended up over here. About the same time, I met some of the makers of well-known juice makers, got interested in making juice commercially, and learned quite a few commercial "secrets" about juice making, including the use of high flavor mixes. The steep crowd doesn't like to admit that many juices are actually made to order, though not all certainly, and these same makers use HFM as well. It's been an interesting journey. There are certainly more than one way to do this, DIY, that is. Good luck!

 

[CampbellMC]

First order of flavorings + equipment arrived today Can't do anything while my son is up, but the minute he goes to sleep I will be breaking out the droppers and getting some 100 Drop Tests goings. Worked out well as I am down about 50ml of store-bought juice left so running low. Thanks everyone for your help and I will let you know my results afterwards I have a number of guys at work very interested in some more "customized" e-juice so hopefully I can knock out a few ADVs relatively quickly.