Flavor – What is it in Vaping?

Definition

Flavor is the combined taste and aroma sensation produced when e-liquid is heated by your coil and turned into vapour. In vaping, “flavor” describes both the bottled e-liquid profile—such as “blueberry ice” or “tobacco caramel”—and the actual sensory experience you perceive on the inhale and exhale. It is the primary reason most Australian vapers choose a particular e-liquid or device, overriding throat-hit or cloud size. Flavor is created by food-grade flavourings dissolved in Propylene Glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glycerin (VG), then activated by heat when you press the fire button. A well-crafted flavor balances sweetness, acidity, cooling or spice notes to replicate foods, drinks, desserts or classic tobacco.

Technical Details

Flavor molecules volatilise between 150 °C and 250 °C, so coil temperature control is critical. Most commercial e-liquids contain 5–20 % flavoring by volume; higher percentages can oversaturate wicks and cause flooding. PG carries flavor better than VG, so “flavor-chasing” blends often use 50/50 or 60/40 PG/VG ratios. Mesh strips, standard round wire and complex builds like the Fused Clapton offer different surface areas, affecting how quickly flavor develops. Nicotine“>Freebase nicotine e-liquids tend to deliver cleaner flavor at lower strengths (0–6 mg), whereas high-strength salts can mute subtle notes. Steeping—letting the bottle sit for 1–4 weeks—allows alcohol-based flavors to oxidise slightly, rounding off harsh edges and improving depth.

Usage & Tips

• Prime new coils through the Port“>fill port, then wait 5–10 min to prevent dry hits that scorch flavor.
• Start at the coil’s lowest recommended wattage and increase in 5 W steps until the flavor peaks without bitterness.
• Rotate between two contrasting flavors (e.g., fruit then menthol) to avoid “vaper’s tongue,” a temporary loss of taste.
• Rinse tanks and drip tips weekly; residual build-up mutes profiles and can harbour bacteria.
• Store e-liquid in a cool, dark place; UV and heat degrade flavor molecules, especially citrus and custard notes.

History & Context

When cig-a-likes arrived in Australia circa 2008, only tobacco and menthol flavors existed. The 2012 vape boom brought bakery and fruit profiles, while 2016’s nic-import relaxation saw gourmet “unicorn milk” lines flourish. Today, the Australian market balances strict nicotine prescription laws with an explosion of over 1,000 local flavor brands, making flavor diversity a cultural hallmark of Aussie vaping.