Sweeteners for DIY e liquids
Sweeteners for DIY e liquids
How to sweeten your diy e liquids
One of the most discussed and debated topics in vaping has to be DIY, and one of the more common threads we read relates to sweeteners, and what folks are using to get their sugar fix.
A lot of commercially made juices tend to be rather sweet. A fairly high percentage are laced with too many spoonfuls of sugar, and contrary to that classic song, that doesn't always help the medicine go down. (I can sense some of the younger ones scratching their heads)
Whilst many can provide a satisfying vape, this can also be a sign of a poorly mixed juice. It's simple to make an e liquid sweet, but that doesn't constitute a good mix. Balance is usually the key, just as we look for in food and beverages.
The most common method for adding sweetness to our juices tends to be either TFA's Sweetener, or Ethyl Maltol; also known as Cotton candy.
The Problem with Sweeteners
TFA's sweetener is basically sucralose mixed in PG, whilst Ethyl Maltol or EM, is also a sweetener and offers a caramelised roasted malt flavour. The problem with these sweeteners is that they can easily mute flavours over time. Perhaps of equal concern is that sweeteners can create 'gunk' that builds up on your coils, making them less efficient and can mean having to change wicks and wire more frequently.
There is a place for them so I'm not suggesting you avoid them completely, as we say it's always trial and error, but quite frankly there are alternate options out there, and exploring these options can improve both your knowledge and your mixes.
NOTE: For tobacco mixes, Ethyl Maltol or EM is widely used and considered the standard.
Below are some alternatives I suggest you start experimenting with. I can't give you exact percentages because some palettes require more sugar, some less. However, in any given scenario, and irrespective of the flavour profile, start with around 0.25 % and work up to around 2 %.
"I really feel that in the majority of cases, dessert and bakery mixes don't require any sweeter at all, as I tend to add things like creams, custards or marshmallow".
Marshmallow
This is one of my most commonly used and favourite sweeteners. Depending on the percentage, it can either just add a sweetness, or an actual layer of marshmallow. TFA or FA.
Meringue
This one isn't broadly known as a sweetener but it works particularly well with bolder mixes such as hard liquors, coffee and tobacco's. TFA or FA
Marzipan
FlavourArt Marzipan is one of those flavours many don't think to use as a sweetener, but it's one of the better options for many applications. Low percentages too.
TFA Brown Sugar
This is something I used a lot in my earlier days of mixing and occasionally still add around 0.5% to tobacco mixes.
Apple
By far the best apple imho is FlavourArts Fuji. Excellent in tobaccos, fruits and desserts. Very strong so keep percentages low, starting at 0.15%.
Pear
Another excellent option for adding sweetness is FlavourArts Pear. Try mixing with some Apple but don't go overboard. Obviously great with fruits but I've also used it with pie recipes.
Ethyl Maltol
I'll include this one as it's commonly used in tobacco mixes although I frequently use alternatives.
There are other options I've not listed but here are some that are definitely worth exploring -
Ice Creams, Caramels, Butterscotch and Creams
Vanilla's and Custards
FlavourArt's Joy and Oba Oba
Maple Syrup
Fruits
Happy Mixing.
From The Table,
Charles
It's all about the juice..
