seriously thinking of upgrading the cream section of my stash to FA… i already have the FA Marshmallow and Meringue in next order - got the Cream Fresh already. may get some FW too … TPA definitely has some wonderful fruits, but for me, their creams may not like me that much 
[ may be chemistry - bun definitely intended ]
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This is a well known problem with some of TFA’s creams–in particular TFA Van Custard and TFA Van Bean IC. Some people taste black pepper from a component in these flavors. Some think it’s the cyclotene. Van Swirl, Van Bean Gelato, Bavarian Cream (DX and regular), Brown Sugar (not in the DX), Caramel (DX and regular), French Vanilla Creme, Malted Milk, Molasses, Tiramisu, Graham Cracker Crust, Dulce de Lech, and DX Butterscotch also have cyclotene in it. I haven’t heard many complaints about some of these, so idk if that’s it or not. Whatever it is there are many people who get the peppery taste, so perhaps you are sensitive to something in some of TFA’s creams, whatever it is.
That said, I’m glad I don’t get any pepper from TFA VBIC, because it tastes great to me.
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you may be right as i also get this with Van Swirl and Butterscotch. less frustrated now that there’s at least an explanation
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Yeah, sounds like it’d be best to start looking for substitutes. You can check the components of TFA’s flavors here. Click on “List” next to each flavor and it’ll show you the components in the flavor. Maybe try avoiding those flavors with cyclotene in it. Like I said, idk if that’s the component that’s the culprit–just going by what some people are hypothesize and that seems to be one of the components that’s common in each of these flavors, but might be worth trying to avoid to see if that’s it.
I’ve heard that LB makes a good ice cream. Many say it’s the best there is, I have yet to try it but I will one of these days. There’s also CAP, which I’ve tried and is an okay sub, but it’s not nearly as thick and buttery so it needs some help to get close to replicate TFA’s. Lots of VC subs: CAP VC (v1 of course, if it doesn’t have diketones in the trash it goes) is the best, FA Custard and RF VC are also decent subs but they’re all different in particular ways depending on what you’re looking. I’ve heard FW makes a decent Bav Cream, but I’ve never used it and use TFA myself. As for Sweet Cream, I’ve only used CAP and it works.
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i took a quick look across some of the flavors that cause this with me - i wonder if it could be the vannilin as it’s the only common element - some don’t have cyclotene.
honestly never thought to research this but thanks … now wouldn’t CAP V1 also have vanillin in it ? and other (vanilla) creams from other vendor ? couldn’t get the breakdown of CAP VC1 to check… maybe this is specific to the vanillin that TPA uses? in all cases, there’s something wrong -for me - with these flavors and that’s good enough to know.
on another note, thanks for the sub suggestions, pls keep them coming. i have LB VIC and it’s wonderful. got CAP VC1 and VC2. actually having tried other vendors’ creams is what got me to realize i have an issue with TPA’s
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I tried viewing your flavor stash, but it’s not shared, so I viewed your shared recipes. I noticed that your most commonly used vendor is TPA and you’re now starting to see what a lot mixers go through. Cut your TPA cord and a whole different vape experience will open up to you. You really could benefit from investing into some of the premium flavors.
FA Creams are really some of the best creams out there, but a little research is required to define what suits you best.
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i just tried that “fix” and it seems to work. you’re a genius!
added 10% of bottle size VG/PG mix to dilute slighlty, added 1% FA Cream Fresh and threw in 1.5% ripe banana … tastes better now (though less Vanilla Custard’y) - but the burnt newspaper taste is gone 
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IDK, but I haven’t heard a single report of CAP’s VC having a peppery taste while with TFA it’s fairly common.
I’ve only been able to find CAP’s MSDS sheet, which tells us about toxicity, flashpoint, boiling points, etc. I haven’t found an ingredients list. I don’t think many companies other than TFA that post ingredients lists. There might be others that do, but idk.
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Getting there my friend. slowly but surely … i have 95 flavors (120+ bottles) so trying to balance between the curiosity & variety vs the challenge of managing the stash (and not to take over the kitchen, makes wifie unhappy) 
- admittedly TPA was one of he first flavors i accumulated, then expanding
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I’m also one of the people that get a pepper note from some TPA flavours (it’s seemingly a genetic thing), especially vanilla bean ice cream. Mixing it with other creams only worked for a short time for me and then it returned. As mentioned by @Pro_Vapes, the best thing to do would probably be to cut your losses with them altogether. I did and I wish I had done it sooner.
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I think I had close 60% of TPA flavor line (a lot of 120ml bottles) before I cut the cord. At least you caught the symptoms early and you’re correcting the problem. Variety will be your best friend, but research flavor purchases first.
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More a shot in the dark than an educated tip but hey… glad it worked!
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DX sweet cream tastes good to me at less than 2%. After 6-8 weeks, it gives off a buttery flavor.
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You have a very forgiving palate. All V2 and DX I owned was a bust and unless you have a problem with regular flavors I’d advise anyone to avoid these at all cost.
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Regular flavors give me chest ache sometimes so I tried the DX creams and milk when first starting diy. Although I don’t use them as much anymore; in favor of FA fresh cream, I never had a bad experience with them when used in small amounts.
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I have a diketone free caramel that I mix with less than 2% tfa DX sweet cream and vanilla that’s really good.
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@Pro_Vapes, you’re obviously many steps ahead in the same road with these creams - can you share some thoughts on next best options to look for? i’m leaning to FW given what i read in the reviews - but i also love (have) FA Fresh Cream … honestly i don’t mind having the same exact cream note as long as it’s close enough and the cream is of decent quality in a mix (for example, if i go FA, they don’t offer BC but may have something close)
as much as possible, i’m hoping it would be one vendor for cream flavors for easier stash management, unless that’s not the right way to go. thoughts?
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I wish there was a one stop company for creams, but that doesn’t seem to be the case from what I’ve seen. I have heard of people getting pepper notes from some of tfa’s creams, and off notes on cap’s vanillas. I have found the fw creams to be pretty good, and fa’s as well (really taking a liking to fa recently). Some of cap’s creams are pretty decent as well, I really like their butter cream for this shortbread juice that I make. Overall, the flavor notes section here is an excellent place to start as many people have done this footwork for you, but as I said, I haven’t used an fa cream that I didn’t like. Their fresh cream is an excellent canvas to add other notes to, as mentioned above. Vanilla I normally go with the shisha, holy, or Madagascar vanilla, depending on whether I want that note to be more forward or just to support another flavor in the mix.
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Their meringue is invaluable to me for sure! I find it best used in combination with other creams to give that “airiness” for a more complete mouthfeel. The fa marshmallow is more like the actual flavor vs say, tpa’s where you can basically just sub it as a sweetener. Just depends on what you’re going after in a mix.
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@AZViking, thanks, yeah - after some research here and around, i added FA Marshmallow and Meringue to my next order list (i still have the TPA versions).
i’m still not decided when it comes to FA Vienna cream vs FW Bavarian Cream - may end up with both - will also add a whipped, SC, vanilla ice cream (i have TPA and LB, but want to try another vendor’s VIC). as @Pro_Vapes said, this would be my “break the bond” order. that list is already running long, as creams is not the only thing on it totally open for more suggestions though - and thanks everyone for helping!
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