Mixing Tips, Tricks, Questions & Answers

[jcol]

Quick question please regarding steeping

When steeping, is it lid off or lid on?

[mcallister687]

It's strange that some things e.g. teas and tobacco translate but others don't.. perhaps it's the dehydration that's the key. If that's true then I'm guessing that freeze drying of delicate flavours could be be a possible answer..

Just speculation of course! (Thinking out loud)!!

[Perpetua]

Jun 25, 2013 21:20:02 GMT jcol said:

Quick question please regarding steeping

When steeping, is it lid off or lid on?

I don't think it makes a scrap of difference myself, so cap on in a cool dark cupboard for me Jcol. Less likely to knock over/spill any liquid that way.

[Jen]

Steeping fresh herbs in PG didn't work AFAIK, but steeping in alcohol did - @ashmal?

Could do anything in alcohol

[mcallister687]

Did you try vg with a little alcohol added? Remember frogster saying something about it helping the break down..

[Deleted]

Jun 25, 2013 22:32:38 GMT Jen said:

Steeping fresh herbs in PG didn't work AFAIK, but steeping in alcohol did - @ashmal?

Could do anything in alcohol

Yeah alcohol works with herbs for some reason but with tobacco VG is best ... I think it helps if you choose the right leaves ... mint is a good candidate for alcohol steeping. I suppose some leaves will have different intensity flavours and different chemicals will get extracted in the process.

I think my original basil experiment which was with PG was left too long and also the flavour is far to mild to capture/replicate. I might have another go at it with vodka this time.

Did you try fresh herbs Jen ?

[Jen]

Jun 26, 2013 7:07:52 GMT @ashmal said:

Jun 25, 2013 22:32:38 GMT Jen said:

Steeping fresh herbs in PG didn't work AFAIK, but steeping in alcohol did - @ashmal?

Could do anything in alcohol

Yeah alcohol works with herbs for some reason but with tobacco VG is best ... I think it helps if you choose the right leaves ... mint is a good candidate for alcohol steeping. I suppose some leaves will have different intensity flavours and different chemicals will get extracted in the process.

I think my original basil experiment which was with PG was left too long and also the flavour is far to mild to capture/replicate. I might have another go at it with vodka this time.

Did you try fresh herbs Jen ?

It's on my list! Been mad busy recently. Want to try a real spearmint flavour since I have loads of it for tea purposes. Could also have a go with lavender and rose teas.

[Deleted]

Jun 26, 2013 8:23:59 GMT Jen said:

Jun 26, 2013 7:07:52 GMT @ashmal said:

Yeah alcohol works with herbs for some reason but with tobacco VG is best ... I think it helps if you choose the right leaves ... mint is a good candidate for alcohol steeping. I suppose some leaves will have different intensity flavours and different chemicals will get extracted in the process.

I think my original basil experiment which was with PG was left too long and also the flavour is far to mild to capture/replicate. I might have another go at it with vodka this time.

Did you try fresh herbs Jen ?

It's on my list! Been mad busy recently. Want to try a real spearmint flavour since I have loads of it for tea purposes. Could also have a go with lavender and rose teas.

Tea's would be good ... black tea would help with tobacco flavour I reckon. Lapsang for a smokey flavour ... hmm, I sense a new experiment coming on. Good thing with teabags are they come in a handy steeping bag already

nettles, rose petals and elderflowers would be another list for me

[Jen]

I wonder if real cinnamon would work? I'd love to mix up some real chai spices! Or use a chai teabag, as you say

Ooo, real vanilla...mmmmm!

[Beatnik]

Could gravy granules make a flavor, as most of us love gravy

[mcallister687]

What would be the procedure here guys? gently heat vg/pg/alcohol and steep your ingredients?? any blending or chopping involved?

[Jen]

I think you pretty much bung whatever it is you want to extract into some vodka and leave it. I think it was 2 days for mint, longer for more reticent flavours.

[Deleted]

I would even question the 2 days Jen ... my mint was on the brink of cabbage ... www.pastrypal.com/2012/01/good-time-to-extract/

Not sure about steeped cinnamon ... I'd advise against it .... www.forbes.com/sites/davidkroll/2013/04/23/5-reasons-not-to-take-the-cinnamon-challenge/

Beatnik I know Ashdog has mixed marmite with PG with 'success' ... not sure of the health implications though. Marmite has yeast and one of the by-products of fermentation is diacetyl

[mcallister687]

its a warzone out there!!

[Jen]

Ooookay, backing away from the cinnamon!!