The Flavor Apprentice Flavoring Thread

[spaceballsrules]

Can anyone tell me if TFA Cola or Cola Syrup are tank crackers? I have a mix that is 5% Cola and 5% Cola Syrup that I just put in a Kanger EVOD clearo, and I can't remember if that is a bad thing or not. It's been a while since I have vaped this juice and I have vague recollections of putting this one in a glass clearo. Can nayone chime in on this? Thanks.

 

[MasteroftheVape]

Cola Syrup is a tank cracker

 

[spaceballsrules]

Cola Syrup is a tank cracker

Thanks for the feedback. Looks like I need to get the pyrex clearo back out.

 

[Portertown]

New at this juice DIY stuff and trying to learn.
What exactly does Citric Acid do in a mix?
I have heard that it helps the flavors of fruits pop and I have heard it is a preservative to be added to juice. Do I need a preservative in home made juice and if so, why.
If Citric Acid is to be added, what is the correct amount to add?
Thanks for any help that can be provided.

 

[Wolfenstark]

Made some of Bills Strawberries and Cream last night

Strawberries and Cream
Strawberry - 12%
Sweet cream - 5%
Vanilla Swirl - 5%
Hazelnut - 3%
Honey - 3%
Sweetener - 2%

 

[MasteroftheVape]

Citric acid is mixed as a 10% solution in pg/water and added anywhere between .5-2% depending who you ask. It doesn't have to be used but can help fruits taste better and keep flavors from fading.

I put it in all my mixes regardless if they need it or not, just easier that way. I have never noticed it having a negative effect on any juice.

 

[sedition]

I never thought I'd have a reason against throwing out my EVOD tanks.. but I would have happily sacrificed one to answer spaceballsrules' question.

 

[CoilinTrouble]

I use citric acid in most of my fruit blends, with the exception of some fruits that are meant to be sweet not tart. Ive noticed a taste change for the worse in some.of my sweet fruits like honeydew in particular. Speaking of, heres a delicious sweet honeydew recipe I have thats short n simple yet absolutely delicious, even shake n vaped. I made a batch of this at 80-20 vg/pg and 3mg. Delicious even freshly shaken.

3% TFA Honeydew
4% TFA Strawberry
3% Capella Sweet Watermelon

Delicious with the honeydew being the prevailing taste that is well complemented by the refreshing hints of watermelon n strawberry. Citric acid kinda gives this one an odd aftertaste and nulls some of the sweet elements.

 

[b.m.]

I use citric acid in most of my fruit blends, with the exception of some fruits that are meant to be sweet not tart. Ive noticed a taste change for the worse in some.of my sweet fruits like honeydew in particular. Speaking of, heres a delicious sweet honeydew recipe I have thats short n simple yet absolutely delicious, even shake n vaped. I made a batch of this at 80-20 vg/pg and 3mg. Delicious even freshly shaken.

3% TFA Honeydew
4% TFA Strawberry
3% Capella Sweet Watermelon

Delicious with the honeydew being the prevailing taste that is well complemented by the refreshing hints of watermelon n strawberry. Citric acid kinda gives this one an odd aftertaste and nulls some of the sweet elements.

I'll have to give this a try.I got a sample of honeydew a long time ago,and seen suggestions of starting it at 10%,that was the foulest thing i ever tasted haha,so i put it in the back of the cabinet and haven't used it since,but here lately have been thinking of trying it again,as i really like real honeydew,and i just got capella sweet watermelon last week that i haven't used yet,so this will be a good one to try them both out with.

 

[Nic-holio]

I use citric acid in most of my fruit blends, with the exception of some fruits that are meant to be sweet not tart. Ive noticed a taste change for the worse in some.of my sweet fruits like honeydew in particular. Speaking of, heres a delicious sweet honeydew recipe I have thats short n simple yet absolutely delicious, even shake n vaped. I made a batch of this at 80-20 vg/pg and 3mg. Delicious even freshly shaken.

3% TFA Honeydew
4% TFA Strawberry
3% Capella Sweet Watermelon

Delicious with the honeydew being the prevailing taste that is well complemented by the refreshing hints of watermelon n strawberry. Citric acid kinda gives this one an odd aftertaste and nulls some of the sweet elements.

That sounds really good CoilinTrouble - thanks!

Curious - how much citric acid have you generally been adding to your mixes?

I am pretty sure I saw Bill say he uses a drop or two of 10% citric acid per 30ml of mixed liquid. I've been doing that myself lately -- but haven't been mixing fruit flavored juices the last few weeks.

Speaking of mixing.... time to mix up some stuff!

Cheers,
Nic-holio

 

[DingerCPA]

Bill, I'd mixed up a 30mL batch of your Cinnamon Danish (your ADV). WOO-WEE - that cinnamon is intense! Went through a couple tanks and was trying to decide how to tone it down a bit for my pallet.

Finally threw in about 2mL of (some other vendor's) Forest Fruit and topped off with some VG. Ahhhhhh, that's a better balance for me

Kaezziel - mixed up your peaches & cream. That's delightful! BBMom, did your Butterscotch Swirl. I used a different butterscotch (no TFA on hand). Other than for that brand, I need to up the butterscotch of that type, yours is WONDERFUL. I love the tone that the graham cracker lends to it.

Thank you all

I may not be very creative with my own unique mixes, but from what I learn here, I get an idea of how to properly tweak something to make it work for me. You guys and gals ROCK!!!

 

[Bill's Magic Vapor]

Bill, I'd mixed up a 30mL batch of your Cinnamon Danish (your ADV). WOO-WEE - that cinnamon is intense! Went through a couple tanks and was trying to decide how to tone it down a bit for my pallet.

Finally threw in about 2mL of (some other vendor's) Forest Fruit and topped off with some VG. Ahhhhhh, that's a better balance for me

Kaezziel - mixed up your peaches & cream. That's delightful! BBMom, did your Butterscotch Swirl. I used a different butterscotch (no TFA on hand). Other than for that brand, I need to up the butterscotch of that type, yours is WONDERFUL. I love the tone that the graham cracker lends to it.

Thank you all

I may not be very creative with my own unique mixes, but from what I learn here, I get an idea of how to properly tweak something to make it work for me. You guys and gals ROCK!!!

LOL! +1!

It's always amusing to me how different our tastes are, i.e., to each their own. I can barely taste the cinnamon anymore, and it is certainly much, much lighter than any of the other TFA cinnamon's, more nuanced than overwhelming, for me. I would tone it down with additional cream, personally, if that's the way it affected me, maybe reduce the percentage of CD a little, until it was in the Goldilocks Zone. When I first started vaping, perhaps the first year or so, I had a hard time tasting anything. I last was able to taste in the mid-70's, I think. So, the stronger CD flavorings, say compared to lemon, or something, was a welcome treat to me. I can see how it may be too strong for others, and you, in this case. Wish you well in your VapeQuest and DIY Journey! Good luck!

 

[CoilinTrouble]

That sounds really good CoilinTrouble - thanks!

Curious - how much citric acid have you generally been adding to your mixes?

I am pretty sure I saw Bill say he uses a drop or two of 10% citric acid per 30ml of mixed liquid. I've been doing that myself lately -- but haven't been mixing fruit flavored juices the last few weeks.

Speaking of mixing.... time to mix up some stuff!

Cheers,
Nic-holio

Well just as you'd expect from any mix master on ECF Bill's spot on with that advice. Most ppl find their sweet spot with citric acid at 1 drop p/ml, although some recipes can handle twobdrops p/ml

 

[VNeil]

I've seen some comments here about the strength of the TFA cinnamon and how difficult it is to control, and how some use the Cinnamon Danish instead. I'm wondering if anyone has tried diluting the cinnamon in PG, maybe 1:1 or 1:4 or somewhere in between, such that a single drop on a 100DT doesn't equal a full percent, which seems a bit intense? I've been thinking about mixing up a small bottle like that, maybe 1:3 such that 4 drops equals 1% in the 100DT, and 1 drop would be more like 0.25%.

 

[Bill's Magic Vapor]

I've seen some comments here about the strength of the TFA cinnamon and how difficult it is to control, and how some use the Cinnamon Danish instead. I'm wondering if anyone has tried diluting the cinnamon in PG, maybe 1:1 or 1:4 or somewhere in between, such that a single drop on a 100DT doesn't equal a full percent, which seems a bit intense? I've been thinking about mixing up a small bottle like that, maybe 1:3 such that 4 drops equals 1% in the 100DT, and 1 drop would be more like 0.25%.

Good point, mentioned from time to time when we need flavorings of less than 1%, or fractions of percentages, and useful to boot. A nice reminder and tip for those seeing it for the first time. Thank you! Good luck!

 

[capthook]

So got my BCV order in!
They only had 1/3 the flavors I wanted, got the rest at WL. (WL shipped today, 2 days from order)
The nic is perfectly clear.
Got 120ml 100mg. (eta 100% PG)
Dilluted (eta: PG) to (1) 60ml 50mg (2) 30ml 50mg and put that with (1) 60ml 100mg in the freezer.
Kept (1) of the 30ml 50mg to work with.
Don't have many flavors to work with to start.

First thougths:
-vanilla swirl smells fantastic!
- Western strong and acidic
- Turkish medium and a tad floral
- DK fruity
- DX bavarian cream smells like what must be Butyric Acid
- DX Hazelnut smells great
- Toasted Almond seems weak

So first mix (ever!) I'm gonna try:

DK VSH (VanillaSwirl/Hazelnut) 60/40 PG/VG 12mg nic
starting %

DK 5%
DX Hazelnut 5%
Vanilla Swirl 3%
Sweetner 1%

 

[Dave_in_OK]

I would Like to thank Bill and Kaezziel for their advice, recipes and, posts!
As a result of what they have posted here I was able to come up a new ADV. First I made a cream base consisting of: Sweet Cream - 47%, Vanilla Bean Ice Cream - 29.4%, Sweetener - 23.5% all TFA I mix that up as a separate recipe which needs to age (steep) for a week. I then use it as a flavor at 17% and mix it with Strawberry (I used FA) at15% for the best Strawberries & Cream I've had.
I'll be using that base whenever I want a Fruit and Cream Vape.
Thanks again

 

[Dave_in_OK]

CaptHook, You might like this one I make for a friend he calls it the Nutty One.

DK Tobacco 6%
Hazelnut 3%
Ethyl Maltol (EM) 2%
Needs to age / steep for about a month.

I think that one is by hdzrtvap.

 

[capthook]

I bet I will! Mix #2 it is!
I've liked my store juice tobacco/nut/carmel/vanilla/sweet

 

[thefleck]

Got in to DIY just over a month ago and I'm loving it. Finally finished reading this entire thread and all I can say is...I feel like a true flavor apprentice!

Bill, thanks so much. Can't stress it enough. I wish you were selling something because I feel the need to re-pay you in some way for the knowledge. Ever thought of writing a book? Since I got into DIY I have noticed a conspicuous absence of actual knowledge-sharing on the web regarding juice making. Most shared recipes have no methodology, and there is little emphasis on evaluating flavor. It is unlike any other hobby in terms of lack of cooperation. As you've said before, I assume this must be because virtually anyone who has cracked the code turns it into a business and keeps what they've learned a secret. That 1000%+ profit margin is just too irresistible I suppose. So, I'm truly grateful that you (and others) have shared your knowledge here!

Just put in a couple orders for just over 50 TFA flavors. Ha! Can't wait!!

My first big flavor order was lacking any vanillas, creams and caramels Since then I've been frustratingly vaping away at perfumey fruits, chocolates, tobaccos, and coffees. The coffees are all going in the trash, I think. Even the most hyped ones seem to taste like the bottom of a dirty rubber boot sole to me. I know taste is subjective but ewwwww....I don't like cream in my coffee, I want that black espresso taste, so hard to imagine they'll ever be salvageable.

My first batches will be dutch apple pie, cinnamon danish, monkey business, a bubbleburst of some sort, Jo's peach cobbler, pralines & cream, and some RY4's like Brandon's choice and vanilla nut crunch.

Also, belatedly, I'm deeply sorry for your loss. Cheers and thanks again