The recommended usage listed on all LorAnn Flavor Fountain labels is based on a 6–8% milkfat mix. This is intended as a starting point—actual usage may vary depending on the specific base formula.

General Guideline: The higher the fat content, the more flavor you’ll typically need to achieve the desired result.

• If using a higher milkfat mix, more flavor may be needed than what’s recommended.
• If using a low-fat or non-fat mix, start with half the recommended amount and increase gradually until the desired flavor intensity is reached.
• For non-traditional mixes (e.g., sugar-free, fat-free, etc.), further testing may be needed to determine the best usage rate.

Important Note: If you experience an unpleasant “medicine” or “chemical” taste or aftertaste, too much flavoring has likely been used in proportion to the mix. To correct this, either increase the amount of mix or reduce the amount of flavor used.

Testing Tip:
Before flavoring a full batch, it’s a good idea to test a small sample to evaluate flavor potency, freshness, and overall taste. This helps ensure the flavor strength is well-suited to your specific base formula. Here are two easy small-batch testing methods:

• Combine 16 oz of milk with 10% sugar, then add Flavor Fountain Flavor to taste. This is a quick way to assess flavor intensity and profile in a neutral, sweet base.
  
• Combine 16 oz of soft serve mix (vanilla or chocolate) with 1/8 oz of Flavor Fountain Flavor (equivalent to a 1 oz per gallon usage rate). Adjust flavor as needed before applying to a full batch.

LorAnn Super-Strength Flavors, food-grade essential oils, and flavors in the LorAnn Compounded Naturals line all work well in ice cream—but they should not be used in the same proportions as Flavor Fountain Flavors.

Super-Strength Flavors are highly concentrated—typically 3 to 4 times stronger than standard extracts—and work well in ice cream when used sparingly. Their potency means you can achieve bold flavor without adding excess liquid, making them ideal for frozen desserts.

LorAnn Naturals are compounded using natural flavor ingredients in a base of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine. Though only half as concentrated as our Super-Strength line, they’re still more potent than standard extracts and offer a clean-label alternative for ice cream applications.

Food-grade essential oils are highly concentrated plant essences that are safe for consumption when used properly. In ice cream, these oils must be mixed thoroughly to ensure even flavor distribution since they’re not water soluble. Just a few drops are enough to add intense, all-natural flavor.

Recommended starting usage:

• Super-Strength Flavors: 0.25 oz per gallon of mix
• Compounded Naturals: 0.5 oz per gallon of mix
• Food-Grade Essential Oils: Start with just a few drops per gallon of mix and adjust to taste

Note: These are suggested starting points—flavor preferences vary, and users may choose to add more for a stronger taste.

Because Super-Strength Flavors, Compounded Naturals, and Food-Grade Essential Oils contain little or no added coloring, customers may wish to add color separately to achieve their desired appearance.

LorAnn Oils offers a wide range of vanilla extracts to suit different formulation needs—including pure, organic, 2-fold (double-strength), and specialty blends. Options include pure vanilla extracts, natural vanilla flavors, artificial vanillas, and cost-effective natural/artificial blends.

For best results in hard-pack ice creams, we recommend allowing the finished ice cream to age for 72 hours. This resting period helps the vanilla flavor fully develop—especially in higher-fat mixes, where flavor release can take longer.

In soft-serve ice creams and frozen yogurts, which are typically consumed immediately, a stronger 2-fold vanilla extract can help deliver maximum flavor. For a cost-effective option in quick-serve formats, consider a natural/artificial blend like LorAnn’s 2-Fold Velvet Cream—a double-strength extract made with both natural and artificial vanillas.

Recommended starting usage:

• 2-fold vanilla extracts: 2 ounces per 5 gallons of mix (increase for higher-fat bases)
• Pure vanilla extracts: 4 to 5 ounces per 5 gallons of mix (increase for higher-fat bases)
• Natural/artificial blends or artificial vanillas: 2 to 4 ounces per 5 gallons of mix, depending on strength and desired flavor intensity