The Flavor Apprentice Flavoring Thread

[englishmick]

Got a new TFA flavor figured out.

I had Gingerbread (Extra Ginger version). The Ginger was really strong and rather harsh. When I diluted it down to where the Ginger was bearable it ended up just being a faint ginger taste and nothing else. I also had Ginger Ale which I made with some Sweet Cream and maybe some Graham Cracker. That was pleasant but weak even when I upped the percentage. Today I grabbed some of the bottles I had made and never finished, and added around three parts Ginger ale to one part Gingerbread. I'll have to play around and make some from scratch but the Gingerbread added just the amount of ginger spiciness the Ginger Ale needed.

I love ginger but I had almost given up on both those flavors. Finally got what I was hoping for.

 

[Slots]

which flavors are folks using to help sharpen a too dull flavor ?

I use Saline, like a lot of vapers
It brings out the flavor (just like salt does in cooking), ... it smooth's out the harshness (maybe the bitterness you pick up on), .. and blends the flavors together.
It works especially good with fruits and chocolates.
You will not taste any salt, as it's super mild.
It will "brighten" the flavor of fruit, but I find it doesn't help banana

In the First Aid section of the pharmacy, pick up some .9% Saline (Wound Wash/Flush).
It's used to clean out open wounds .. safe for a baby.
It's pure sterile water with .9% saline solution, and comes in a spray can.
It comes out of the can in a stream that is easy to direct into a dripper bottle.
There is also a saline solution you spray/inhale up your nose ..but that's the wrong one.
It has added ingredients.
You want the one without anything in it except the .09 saline and sterile water, that is used to clean wounds.
Have fun experimenting.

PS ... don't try making your own ...table and sea salt don't work

 

[Kenna]

Got a new TFA flavor figured out.

I had Gingerbread (Extra Ginger version). The Ginger was really strong and rather harsh. When I diluted it down to where the Ginger was bearable it ended up just being a faint ginger taste and nothing else. I also had Ginger Ale which I made with some Sweet Cream and maybe some Graham Cracker. That was pleasant but weak even when I upped the percentage. Today I grabbed some of the bottles I had made and never finished, and added around three parts Ginger ale to one part Gingerbread. I'll have to play around and make some from scratch but the Gingerbread added just the amount of ginger spiciness the Ginger Ale needed.

I love ginger but I had almost given up on both those flavors. Finally got what I was hoping for.

Success!

 

[ghola1was]

I use Saline, like a lot of vapers
It brings out the flavor (just like salt does in cooking), ... it smooth's out the harshness (maybe the bitterness you pick up on), .. and blends the flavors together.
It works especially good with fruits and chocolates.
You will not taste any salt, as it's super mild.
It will "brighten" the flavor of fruit, but I find it doesn't help banana

In the First Aid section of the pharmacy, pick up some .9% Saline (Wound Wash/Flush).
It's used to clean out open wounds .. safe for a baby.
It's pure sterile water with .9% saline solution, and comes in a spray can.
It comes out of the can in a stream that is easy to direct into a dripper bottle.
There is also a saline solution you spray/inhale up your nose ..but that's the wrong one.
It has added ingredients.
You want the one without anything in it except the .09 saline and sterile water, that is used to clean wounds.
Have fun experimenting.

PS ... don't try making your own ...table and sea salt don't work

How much saline are you adding to a recipe?

 

[Slots]

How much saline are you adding to a recipe?

That's brings us back to how good are your taste buds
First, make up about a 4ml sample of ... say a so-so strawberry.
Taste it all by itself, and then I would start by adding 1 drop per 2 ml, and see if you can tell the difference in the flavor.
You don't have to steep or wait for it, ... the change will be obvious right away
Some use 1 drop per ml, some more, some less.
Just play with it, and see if you get the results your looking for.
I don't use it with everything, but if I'm not happy with a flavor, I try adding it until I taste the difference.
Also, with the fruits, ... a drop of (real) lemon juice will bring out the flavor too.
Yup ... that little yellow plastic lemon at the grocery store
There is no set rule, but if you want to "brighten" a fruit, experiment with either.
The Saline will also help the "darks", like chocolate.

The whole point is to change the PH of the juice, which in turn, brings out, smooths, and enhances the flavor.
Apple Cider Vinegar is used in some Tobaccos for the same reason ... instead of "Vape Wizard"
Saline, or Lemon raises the acid level, ACV lowers the acid ... they each change the PH, depending on what your looking for.
Another trick when mixing fruits is to add a drop or two of a mild tobacco, like TFA Smooth ... you don't taste it, but it adds "body", and blends or melds the flavors together.
You just have to experiment until you find your "happy" place

 

[ghola1was]

That's brings us back to how good are your taste buds
First, make up about a 4ml sample of ... say a so-so strawberry.
Taste it all by itself, and then I would start by adding 1 drop per 2 ml, and see if you can tell the difference in the flavor.
You don't have to steep or wait for it, ... the change will be obvious right away
Some use 1 drop per ml, some more, some less.
Just play with it, and see if you get the results your looking for.
I don't use it with everything, but if I'm not happy with a flavor, I try adding it until I taste the difference.
Also, with the fruits, ... a drop of (real) lemon juice will bring out the flavor too.
Yup ... that little yellow plastic lemon at the grocery store
There is no set rule, but if you want to "brighten" a fruit, experiment with either.
The Saline will also help the "darks", like chocolate.

The whole point is to change the PH of the juice, which in turn, brings out, smooths, and enhances the flavor.
Apple Cider Vinegar is used in some Tobaccos for the same reason ... instead of "Vape Wizard"
Saline, or Lemon raises the acid level, ACV lowers the acid ... they each change the PH, depending on what your looking for.
Another trick when mixing fruits is to add a drop or two of a mild tobacco, like TFA Smooth ... you don't taste it, but it adds "body", and blends or melds the flavors together.
You just have to experiment until you find your "happy" place

Great post. Thank you!

 

[hittman]

Thanks for the advice slots. The lemon juice might be just what I need for the blood orange recipe I've been working on.

 

[Slots]

Thanks for the advice slots. The lemon juice might be just what I need for the blood orange recipe I've been working on.

Hey ... you guys will have to let me know how the experiments goes

 

[hittman]

So far I've tried the blood orange by itself, with 1% em, and with 5% sweet and tart with 1% em. The orange just isn't popping like I want.

 

[SLM]

Keep us posted. I got the blood orange to work into an orange push-up I was working on. Never really finished it as I couldn't seem to get the creaminess either.

 

[hittman]

I was thinking about trying some orange mandarin with the blood orange. I've read where others have had luck mixing two of the same or similar flavor to come out with a better result.

 

[hittman]

Keep us posted. I got the blood orange to work into an orange push-up I was working on. Never really finished it as I couldn't seem to get the creaminess either.

The mix I did with the sweet and tart kinda reminds me of a push up. I just want a stronger citrus orange taste to it. I did 15% blood orange, 5% sweet and tart and 1% em.

 

[IDJoel]

The mix I did with the sweet and tart kinda reminds me of a push up. I just want a stronger citrus orange taste to it. I did 15% blood orange, 5% sweet and tart and 1% em.

Just thinking out loud... and I have NO personal experience with TFA's Blood Orange, so I can very well be talking out my rear end; but 15% sounds awful high.
Because I don't have personal experience, I checked the taboo recipe site's "flavor" resources and see that the average mixing percentage is only between 4 and 5%. Do you think it might be possible that you are using too much and actually sacrificing taste/flavor?

Whenever I am struggling with a flavor; I always refer back to one of @Hoosier 's blogs that I read when I first started mixing: Hoosier's Flavoring Levels -aka: A general DIY guide to Flavoring ratios | E-Cigarette Forum
It usually helps get me back on track I have it book marked for easy, and frequent, referal. I hope others may find it helpful too.

 

[hittman]

Could be. I was thinking that most FW flavors needed to be higher percentage. Maybe not.

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

Could be. I was thinking that most FW flavors needed to be higher percentage. Maybe not.

That is what I have been told also about FW, but have found out myself, it just isn't true. Examples of FW flavors that need lower %'s(imo) are skittles flavor,pb, and juicy fruit. FW bubblegum needs the higher % because FW's seems weak in flavor to me. I used it up by blending TFA's bg flavor and a bit of LorAnn's also. Got it to really pop by using just a small amount of tfa juicy peach. Bubble gum juice(for me) was done by taste and my mixing it was very early in my mixing days so I don't really have % for a recipe.

 

[Capt.shay]

I use FW at 12% max and less on some or in blends. I never understood some if the super high suggestions.

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

I use FW at 12% max and less on some or in blends. I never understood some if the super high suggestions.

When looking at FW's website most of their suggested starting recommendations are @ 15%

 

[LynnNC]

I have FW's Hawaiian Punch and Hawaiian Limeade that I was going to use as standalones. Should I start mixing at 10 or 15%?

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

I have FW's Hawaiian Punch and Hawaiian Limeade that I was going to use as standalones. Should I start mixing at 10 or 15%?

Always a good idea to start at a lower %. Easier to add than to have to divide and make more juice than you intended to.

 

[Capt.shay]

I have FW's Hawaiian Punch and Hawaiian Limeade that I was going to use as standalones. Should I start mixing at 10 or 15%?

8.

Then adjust as needed.