Flavouring with Bergamot

[ainarfm]

I'm making my own snus, and want to try making a batch of General-like stuff. When I search for Bergamot, I find dried flowers, essential oils, and juice. Not sure which to use, or when it should be added.

[Monkey]

I use a bakers flavoring that is less potent than essential oil. I use upwards of 3% of that, but an essential oil you would want 1% or less. Never tried dried flowers and I wouldn’t use a juice as it may go rancid in the snus.

I add my flavorings after maturing for a week in the fridge, after it has been cooked and cooled. This is also when I knead it for about 30 minutes to get a better texture.

I am by no means an expert, just a hobbyist who thinks making stuff is neat, but I have made a few (5) batches and done tons of research so I am learning.

[ainarfm]

Yeah, I guess I'd have to buy the flower or a powder and see what it's like in a tea form. Baker's flavouring. Interesting. I'd not heard that before. I've been avoiding essential oils because they seem to artificial.

[Monkey]

I bought the bakers flavoring thinking it was essential oil, but it is much less potent and I needed to adjust my recipe to use it. Essential oils, if from a legit company, are some of the most potent flavorings and when I run out of what I have I will be getting an essential oil. You could use alcohol to extract the flavor from the flowers…but would have to evaporate the alcohol before using the snus.

If you add powder or other dry material you will need to readjust your liquid measurements. Let me know what you decide and how it works for you.

[squeezyjohn]

Firstly real bergamot which is used to flavour traditional snus comes from the skin of an obscure citrus fruit called the Bergamot. If someone is selling you flowers then it is of a herb named after the fruit which is aromatic but not true bergamot. My advice would be to seek out a small 5ml or 10ml bottle of food-grade bergamot essential oil and dilute it in a little neutral alcohol (vodka or similar) before adding to your snus.