LorAnn Oils Learning Hub
Explore FAQs, usage tips, and product usage guides and blending charts.
Food-Grade Essential Oils and Flavorings
How much flavoring should I use
Please see our Suggested Usage Guide for Flavors
Do you offer nutritional statements for your products?
Yes. Nutritional statements are available upon request for each flavor we produce. These statements are based on an industry standard serving size of 100 grams.
Which LorAnn flavors are safe to use in chocolate?
Many of our Super-Strength Flavors and all of our food-grade essential oils are safe for use in chocolate and confectionery coatings. These oil-soluble flavors won’t cause chocolate to seize or thicken when used properly.
For specific usage details, check the product page for each flavor. You can also download our LorAnn Flavors Suitable for Chocolate Guide to view the full list of Super-Strength Flavors recommended for chocolate applications.
What’s the difference between water-soluble and water-insoluble flavors?
Water-soluble flavors blend easily into water-based recipes like beverages, frostings, and baked goods. These are typically made with carriers such as alcohol, propylene glycol, glycerin, or water.
Water-insoluble flavors don’t mix well with water and are better suited for oil-based applications like chocolate and chocolate coatings. However, solubility isn’t always clear-cut. Many flavors contain both water- and oil-soluble components, and how they perform can vary depending on your recipe, usage level, and other ingredients.
LorAnn’s specification sheets indicate whether a flavor is “soluble” or “insoluble” in water—but this labeling is simplified. Some flavors labeled as water-soluble can still perform well in oil-based systems, and vice versa.
Many LorAnn Super-Strength Flavors work well in both water- and oil-based recipes when used sparingly. Even those labeled as water-soluble often perform well in chocolate due to their high concentration and carefully selected solvent systems, which typically don’t cause chocolate to seize or thicken.
Tip: Start with a small amount and adjust as needed—using too much can impact texture, especially in chocolate.
For more details on solubility and flavor compatibility, download our LorAnn Flavors Suitable for Chocolate Guide.
Is there a difference between LorAnn vanilla extracts and the inexpensive “Mexican vanilla” I’ve seen in Mexico?
Yes—many low-cost “vanilla” products sold in parts of Mexico are not made from vanilla beans but from tonka beans. Tonka 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 FDA report on coumarin
LorAnn offers a wide range of premium vanilla extracts, bean paste and powder made from real vanilla beans,
carefully sourced for authentic flavor and crafted to meet FDA food safety
standards. You get the rich, traditional flavor—without the risks.
Explore LorAnn Premium Vanillas.
What is the shelf life of your food-grade essential oils and flavors?
A “best by” date is printed on all LorAnn flavor bottles—on the safety seal for 1-dram sizes and on the label for larger bottles. While not required in the U.S., this date helps meet import regulations for many other countries.
For best results, store flavors with caps tightly closed in a cool, dark place. Exposure to heat and sunlight can degrade essential oils and flavorings. When stored properly, most flavors will remain potent for several years.
Note: Citrus oils tend to degrade more quickly but can be refrigerated to help extend shelf life. If a flavor or essential oil appears cloudy, loses its strong aroma, or smells off, it’s time to replace it.
Can I use LorAnn Super-Strength Flavors or essential oils in lip balm or lip gloss?
Some customers have successfully used our Super-Strength Flavors and food-grade essential oils in lip balm and lip gloss formulations. However, results can vary depending on the recipe. The composition of the base affects whether the flavor or oil stays evenly suspended or separates over time.
We recommend testing a small batch first to determine how well a particular flavor or essential oil performs in your specific formula.
Helpful Resources:
Check out our recipe for Pure & Natural Peppermint Lip Balm
Shop lip balm tubes and lip gloss pots available from LorAnn
For more information on using LorAnn Essential Oils, please read our Aromatherapy Tips and Safety Guidelines
Can your flavors be used in beer brewing?
Yes—LorAnn Super-Strength Flavors can be used to enhance the flavor and aroma of beer, wine, cider, or mead. They’re especially well-suited for fruit, spice, and dessert-inspired brews. For best results, follow these
general guidelines:
- Use Water-Soluble Flavors: Only use water-soluble Super-Strength Flavors. Oil-based options may not mix well and can cause separation or instability.
- Start Small: These flavors are highly concentrated. For a 5–6 gallon batch, start with 1 dram (approx. 1/2 tsp) and adjust to taste.
- Add During Secondary Fermentation: For the most consistent flavor integration, add flavor after primary fermentation is complete and the beer has been transferred.
- Or Add Just Before Bottling/Kegging: This approach helps preserve delicate aromas that might otherwise be lost during fermentation.
- Typical Usage: 0.1% to 0.3%, depending on beer style. Heavier styles (like stouts and porters) may require more flavor, while lighter styles (like wheat beers) often need less.
Disclaimer:
Results may vary depending on recipe, fermentation process, and beer style. Always test in small batches and adjust as needed. These guidelines are intended for home and craft brewers and may require adjustment for individual brewing conditions.
Are LorAnn products vegetarian and vegan-friendly?
Yes—most LorAnn flavors and food ingredients are appropriate for both vegetarian and vegan lifestyles. For details, see our Vegan Statement and list of suitable products.
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Candy Making
What is a “candy oil” ?
“Candy oil” is another name for LorAnn Super-Strength Flavors. While the name may suggest an oil base, it can be misleading—these concentrated flavors are not flavored vegetable oils. The term comes from the historical use of essential oils (like peppermint and cinnamon) in candy making.
Why use LorAnn Super-Strength Flavors for making hard candy?
A concentrated flavoring is essential for hard candy. LorAnn’s Super-Strength Flavors are 3 to 4 times stronger than typical extracts and are designed to withstand high heat. Alcohol-based extracts are not suitable—they can evaporate during cooking, leaving little flavor behind.
How do I make sugar-free hard candy?
LorAnn offers an easy-to-use Sugar-Free Hard Candy Mix that’s made for stovetop preparation. It delivers great taste and texture—without the sugar.
Is it important to check the accuracy of my thermometer?
Yes—accurate temperature is essential when making hard candy. To set properly, the sugar syrup mixture must reach the hard crack stage: 300–310°F (150–155°C). A reliable candy thermometer takes the guesswork out and helps ensure the right texture.
Pro Tip: To test your thermometer for accuracy, place it in a pot of boiling water. After about five minutes, it should read 212°F (100°C). If it doesn’t, adjust your target cooking temperature accordingly.
What type of food coloring should I use for hard candy, and how much do I need?
Adding food coloring is optional. If you choose to use it, we recommend liquid or liquid gel food coloring. The amount depends on the intensity of color you want:
- For liquid colors, a few drops are usually enough.
- For liquid gel colors, start with just a drop or two—they're more concentrated.
Always mix thoroughly and adjust as needed to reach your desired shade.
Pro Tip:
For best results, add liquid food coloring when the syrup reaches 260°F (127°C). This allows any added moisture to evaporate before the final cooking temperature and helps your hard candy set properly.
Chocolate Crafting
What type of flavoring can I use in chocolate and chocolate coating (confectionery wafers)?
Many of LorAnn’s Super-Strength Flavors—and all of our food-grade essential oils—are suitable for use in chocolate and in chocolate confectionery coatings. These concentrated flavors are ideal because they are either oil-soluble or used in small amounts that won’t cause chocolate to seize.
For best results, check the product detail page for each flavor to confirm suitability for chocolate or coating applications. Download our LorAnn Flavors Suitable for Chocolate Guide to learn more.
How much LorAnn Super-Strength Flavor should I use in my chocolate or confectionery coating?
Start with ¼ teaspoon per pound of chocolate or confectionery coating when using Super-Strength Flavors that are suitable for chocolate. Depending on your desired flavor intensity, you may increase to ½ teaspoon.
Usage Tips:
- Start with ¼ teaspoon of flavoring per pound of chocolate or chocolate coating and adjust to taste.
- Stir flavoring into melted, tempered chocolate for best results.
- Check the product detail page to confirm whether a specific flavor is suitable for direct use in chocolate.
- All LorAnn flavors can be used in ganache or candy centers.
- Some flavors may slightly thicken chocolate. If needed, smooth it by adding ¼ to ½ teaspoon of liquefied coconut oil or melted cocoa butter per pound.
Baking
Can I use LorAnn Super-Strength Flavors in baking?
Yes, LorAnn’s Super-Strength Flavors aren’t just for candy—they’re a great way to add flavor to cakes, cookies,
frostings, and more. These concentrated flavors are 3 to 4 times stronger than traditional baking
extracts, so you only need a small amount to deliver big flavor. Use ¼ to ½ teaspoon of Super-Strength Flavor in place of 1 teaspoon of extract.
Pro Tip:
These flavors work especially well in butter-based and fat-rich recipes—they blend in smoothly and evenly.
Learn more about using Super-Strength Flavors in baking and frosting.
I used Baker’s Ammonia—why is there still a strong ammonia smell after baking?
A strong ammonia smell during or just after baking is normal when using Baker’s Ammonia (also known as ammonium carbonate or hartshorn). The smell should fully disappear once the baked goods have completely cooled.
If the odor lingers, it usually means the baked good wasn’t thin, dry, or fully baked enough for the ammonia gas to escape. Baker’s Ammonia works best in recipes like crisp cookies and crackers—not in cakes or dense items, where the trapped gas can leave behind an off smell or taste.
Ice Cream Making and Frozen Dairy
Essential Oils & Aromatherapy
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 have a wide range of uses—from aromatherapy and home care to personal care and culinary applications (when labeled food-grade). Their natural aromas and therapeutic properties have been used for centuries to support physical and emotional well-being.
Common uses include:
- Aromatherapy – Add to a diffuser to relax, energize, or
refresh your space - Personal care – Dilute with a carrier oil for massage or
skincare - Home use – Add to DIY cleaners, insect repellents, or linen
sprays - Bath and body – Use in soaps, lotions, balms, and more
- Culinary – Only use essential oils labeled as food-grade for cooking or baking
Essential oils have been used for centuries to support wellness, balance mood, and promote a healthy environment.
To learn more, read our Aromatherapy Tips and Safety Guidelines
How long do essential oils last?
Most essential oils will stay fresh for at least a year—and much longer with proper storage. Store oils tightly sealed in a cool, dark place. Our essential oils come in dark amber glass bottles to help protect against light exposure, which—along with heat—can degrade quality. Citrus oils break down more quickly but can be refrigerated to extend shelf life. If an oil looks cloudy, loses its strong aroma, or smells off, it’s time to replace it.
What is a carrier oil (or base oil)?
A carrier oil—also called a base oil—is a natural vegetable oil used to dilute essential oils before applying
them to the skin. Carrier oils help "carry" the essential oil safely into the skin and reduce the risk of irritation. They’re also rich in nutrients like fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants, making them excellent moisturizers on their own. Common examples include jojoba, sweet almond, and grapeseed oil.
How are essential oils obtained?
Essential oils are typically extracted from plant materials—like leaves, bark, rinds, and flowers—using one of three methods: steam distillation, cold expression, or solvent extraction. LorAnn’s essential oils are obtained through steam distillation or cold expression, both of which are natural methods that preserve the purity and quality of the oil.
What is cold expression?
Cold expression—also known as cold pressing—is a method used specifically to extract essential oils from citrus fruits. In this process, the rind of the fruit is either mechanically pressed or spun using centrifugal force to release the oils. No heat is used, which helps preserve the oil’s natural aroma and therapeutic properties.
What is steam distillation?
Steam distillation is a common method for extracting essential oils from plant materials. 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 uses chemical solvents to pull essential oils from plant material. While this method is often used in the perfume industry, it’s not recommended for aromatherapy due to concerns about residual solvents. LorAnn Oils does not use solvent extraction for any of its essential oils.
What is aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils to support physical and emotional well-being. Used for thousands of years, this natural approach promotes relaxation, reduces stress, and enhances overall health through methods like massage, inhalation, baths, or diffusers.
What is the difference between essential oils and fragrance oils?
Essential oils are natural, highly concentrated extracts obtained from aromatic plants. They capture the plant’s true aroma and therapeutic compounds.
Fragrance oils, by contrast, are synthetic—created in a lab to mimic specific scents. Because they’re artificial, their aroma is always consistent, they tend to cost less, and they have a longer shelf life. While they don’t offer the natural properties or benefits of essential oils, fragrance oils are commonly used in soaps, lotions, candles, and room sprays.
Essential Oil Blending Chart
| Application | Essential Oil Drops | Amount of Carrier | Tips | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massage Oil | 6-18 Drops | 1oz. BASE OIL | Essential oils should be 3% or less of total mixture. | |
| Bath oil | 6-18 Drops | 1oz. BASE OIL | Essential oils should be 3% or less of total mixture. add 1tsp bath oil to warm bath. | |
| Soap | 6-18 Drops | 1oz. SOAP BASE | Essential oils should be 3% or less of total mixture. | |
| Cold Compress | 5-6 drops | 1/2 CUP COLD WATER | add essentials oils to cold water. soak a wash cloth in mixture and wring. apply to affected area. | |
| Room Spray | 45 drops | 4oz. WATER | Shake mixture well before spraying. | |
| Body Mist | 20 drops | 4oz. WATER | Shake mixture well before spraying. | |
| Body Fragrance | 10-25 drops | 1oz. JOJOBA OIL | Essential oils should be 3% or less of total mixture. Using jojoba Oil as a carrier helps extend the shelf-life of your mixture. |