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Food Grade Essential Oils and Flavorings

Popular Articles

About our Flavors

Using Food Grade Essential Oils

Using Essential Oils for Aromatherapy

E-Cigarettes Inquiries

Kosher Product List

What is Solubility?

Flavorings FAQ

How much flavoring should I use? 

Please see our Suggested Usage Table for Flavors

Do you offer nutritional statements for your products?

Yes.  Nutritional statements for each flavor we produce are available upon request.    These nutritional statements are based on the industry standard volume of 100 grams. 

Which LorAnn flavors are safe for chocolate?

Many of our Super-Strength flavors and food grade (edible) essential oils can be used directly in chocolate and confectionery coating.  The item detail page for each flavor will give specific usage information.  Here is a PDF list of LorAnn flavors appropriate for use in chocolate

What does it mean for a flavor to be soluble or insoluble in water?

LorAnn specification sheets indicate whether or not a flavor is soluble in water with a simple statement of “soluble” or “insoluble”. Unfortunately, these two statements oversimplify the fact that flavors have different degrees of solubility and that they may in fact work well in a variety of applications. Here is a PDF with more information on solubility

Is there a difference between the Mexican vanilla extract you sell and what I can purchase so cheaply in Mexico?

If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is!  The “vanilla” you bought is likely not made from vanilla beans but instead from tonka beans.  These beans contain a substance called coumarin, which can have potentially toxic side effects and is banned in the U.S. for use in food by the Federal Department of Agriculture (FDA). Read the full report from the FDA

What is the shelf-life of your food grade essential oils and flavors?

Although it is not required in the U. S., a "best by" date must be present on our bottles to comply with import regulations of many other countries.  This date can be found on the safety seal of 1-dram bottles, and on the label of larger sizes.   We recommend storing flavors with the caps tightly closed and in a cool, dark place. Sunlight and heat can degrade the essential oils and flavorings.  If stored properly, most flavors should last several years.  Citrus oils degrade more quickly, but can be refrigerated to extend shelf life. If your essential oils or flavors look cloudy, have an off smell or lose their intense aroma, it’s time to buy new.

Can your flavors be used in lip balm and lip gloss crafting?

Customers have found that our Super-Strength flavors work well in some lip balm/gloss recipes, but not in other recipes.  The composition of the base seems to affect how well a particular flavor stays in suspension without floating to the top.  We recommend testing a flavor in a small amount of base to see how well the flavor works in your recipe.

Can your flavors be used in beer brewing?

Yes.  The Super-Strength flavors that are water soluble will work best to flavor beer.  In general, a .1 - .3% use level is appropriate for most beers.  Some of the heavier beers require more flavor (stouts, porters, etc.) vs. the lighter wheat beers which pair well with fruit flavors.

Are your products appropriate for a vegetarian or vegan diet?

Most of our flavors and food ingredients are appropriate for vegan and vegetarian lifestyles.  Check out our Vegan statement and list of suitable products

Candy Making

Popular Articles

7 tips for hard candy making success

Hard Candy 911 - Why did my hard candy turn out sticky, soft, or grainy?

Making hard candy with molds and without

Sugar Science - The temperature stages of cooked sugar

What is corn syrup and why is it used to make hard candy?
 
Tips for cooking with Isomalt

Candy Making FAQ

What is a “candy oil”?

LorAnn’s concentrated Super-Strength Flavors are also known as “candy oils”.  Unfortunately, the term is a bit of a misnomer as our Super-Strength flavors are not flavored vegetable oils.   This term is a historical reference to essential oils used to flavor candies. 

Why use a super strength flavor for making hard candy?

A concentrated flavoring is a must for hard candy. Using an extract is not appropriate as the flavor is diluted in alcohol and would mostly evaporate with the high cooking temperature.

How do I make sugar-free hard candy? 

LorAnn sells a sugar-free hard candy mix for the stove-top that tastes great and is easy to use.

Is it important to check the accuracy of my thermometer?

Yes, having a thermometer that measures temperatures accurately is extremely important. You can check your candy thermometer accuracy by placing it in water and bringing the water to a boil. The thermometer should read 212° F {100° C.}; if the reading is higher or lower, take the difference into account when testing the temperature of your sugar syrup.

What type of food coloring do I use for my hard candy and how much do I use?

The addition of food coloring is optional. If you decide to use coloring, we suggest using liquid or liquid gel colors. How much to use depends on the intensity of color you are trying to achieve. For liquid colors, several drops should be all you need. For liquid gel colors, just a drop or two might be all that is needed.

Chocolate Crafting

Popular Articles

Tips for working with real chocolate (Melting and Tempering)

Working with confectionery coating (candy wafers)

What type of LorAnn flavoring is best for chocolate and chocolate coatings?

Chocolate Crafting FAQ

What type of flavoring can I use in chocolate and chocolate coating (confectionery wafers)?

All food-grade essential oils are ideal for chocolate crafting. The majority of LorAnn's concentrated Super Strength Flavorings are also appropriate.  Some of these flavors but may cause slight thickening in chocolate; To thin/smooth add liquified coconut oil, or cocoa butter (typical use is ¼ to ½ teaspoon per pound).  All flavors can be used in ganache, or candy centers. Please refer to the item's detail page for specific use information. PDF list of LorAnn flavors appropriate for chocolate

How much LorAnn Super Strength flavoring should I use in my chocolate or chocolate coating?

Typical usage is 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon per pound for flavors that are suitable for use in chocolate and coating.

Baking

Popular Articles

Using Super Strength flavors for baking & frosting

Using Bakery Emulsions for baking & frosting

Baking with Baker’s Ammonia (Ammonium Carbonate or Hartshorn)

Tips for successful baking

Secrets of using a pastry bag for icing

Baking FAQ

Are LorAnn’s Super Strength flavors appropriate for use in baking?

Yes!  Our super strength flavors taste equally as good in your cakes, cookies and frostings as they do in candy and can add an intensity of flavor that an extract just can't match. In general, these flavors are about 3 to 4 times the strength of a typical baking extract.  If you would typically add 1 teaspoon of an extract to your recipe, add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of a super strength flavor.  Another ratio would be 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon per cup of butter or shortening.  Adding vanilla extract along with a super strength flavor is optional and can add another layer of flavor.

I used Baker's Ammonia, why is there still a strong ammonia smell after baking?

Ammonium carbonate turns to 3 gases when heated: ammonia, carbon dioxide, and water vapor. No powder residue remains in your baked goods after baking, but not all of the gases escape, which means a bit of an ammonia odor can linger for a while. Once the product cools, the remaining gases will evaporate.

Ice Cream Making and Frozen Dairy

Popular Articles

Flavoring tips for ice cream & frozen yogurt manufacturers

How to use LorAnn's Flavor Fountain in a commercial shake machine

Essential Oils & Aromatherapy

Popular Articles

Aromatherapy Tips and safety Guidelines (downloadable pdf)

Essential Oil Profiles (downloadable pdf's for several essential oils)

The LorAnn Story - Why you can trust LorAnn Oils for your Aromatherapy needs

Aromatherapy FAQ

What is an essential oil?

Essential oils are the concentrated aromatic essences of plants, flowers, trees, herbs, and spices.

How do I use essential oils?

Essential oils are prized for varying attributes including aroma, flavor, therapeutic benefits as well as biochemical properties such as antibacterial and antifungal.  Essential oils are frequently used in aromatherapy, homeopathic healing, culinary applications (food grade only), and in the manufacture of cosmetics, soaps, lotions, balms, natural household cleaners, and even insect repellants.  For more information, please read our Practical Guide to Essential Oils for Aromatherapy, Health & Well-Being

How long do essential oils last?

Essential oils will not spoil, but may lose intensity over time.  We recommend storing essential oils with the caps tightly closed and in a cool, dark place. Our aromatherapy essential oils come bottled in dark amber glass to help protect against the negative effects of light. Sunlight and heat can degrade the oils. If stored properly, most essential oils should last at least one year and often much longer.  Citrus oils degrade more quickly, but can be refrigerated to extend shelf life. If your essential oils look cloudy, lose their intense aroma or have an off smell, it’s time to buy new.

What are carrier oils or base oils?

Carrier oils, often referred to as base oils, are used to dilute essential oils and as a “base” for blending. Natural vegetable oils are preferred over synthetic for therapeutic and aromatherapy purposes.  Natural carrier oils on their own are excellent skin moisturizers as they are composed of different fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.  Some of the more common carrier oils are grapeseed, sweet almond, and jojoba. 

How are essential oils obtained?

There are basically three methods used to extract the oils from the leaves, bark, rind, and flowers of plants:  steam distillation, cold expression, and solvent extraction.  LorAnn's essential oils are obtained using either steam distillation or cold extraction.  

What is cold expression?

Cold expression, also known as cold pressed, is a method used specifically to obtain citrus essential oils. In this method, the rind of the fruit is either physically pressed or spun in a machine that uses centripetal force to release the oils.  No heat is employed in the process.

What is steam distillation?

Steam distillation is one way of extracting essential oils from plant material.  This method involves placing the botanical material in a large metal container or vat.  Pressurized steam is then run through the material to release and capture the essential oil from the botanicals.  The oil-laden mist is then condensed back into water.  The essential oil that floats to the top is subsequently removed.

What is solvent extraction?

Solvent extraction, which uses chemicals to extract the essential oils from plant material, is often used in the perfume industry; however, due to residual solvent concerns, this process is not recommended for essential oils used for aromatherapy.  LorAnn Oils’ essential oils are not obtained using solvent extraction.

What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy refers to the use of essential oils for well-being. The use of aromatics through massage, inhalation, baths and perfumes to enhance physical and mental health is an ancient art that has been practiced for millennia.  

What is the difference between essential oils and fragrance oils?

Essential oils are concentrated liquids obtained from aromatic plants.  Fragrance oils are created in a laboratory to simulate a particular fragrance and do not have the same biochemical attributes of natural essential oils. Fragrance oils are used for their aroma and are a popular choice for soaps, lotions, room sprays, and candles.  Because fragrance oils are artificial, the aroma is always consistent, they are typically much less expensive, and do not have the limited shelf life of a natural essential oil

Essential Oil Blending Chart