Danny D. wrote:
I can't find the right group so the two groups this is being sent to are
actually each half-way related to the question below.
I made a home-built C02 carbonation machine using a 20 pound carbon
dioxide tank and some pneumatic hoses & couplings, which, along with a
tire valve inserted into a soda-bottle cap, allows me to easily carbonate
water at home, three liters at a time (as shown in this photo below):
http://www1.picturepush.com/photo/a/...g/12065184.jpg
My question is related to that machine, but it's related more to the food
flavoring - in that the entire endeavor is a waste unless/until I can
find an economical alternative to the desired cola flavoring.
Here is a picture of the cola flavoring I'm currently using:
http://www3.picturepush.com/photo/a/...0/12065186.jpg
The 'problem' is that it cost me $5 for the cola syrup, which makes 12
liters, or, roughly about 50 cents a liter. Compared to the C02 which
costs perhaps a penny or two per liter, and the water which is also
something on the order of a penny a liter, the whole home soda machine
project is a failure unless I can get the cola flavoring costs down.
Any ideas on how to relatively closely duplicate the cola flavor at a
substantially reduced cost than what I'm currently paying?
I have something similar, although I haven't used it in a while. I put
a stainless steel truck valve stem (or you can use a snifter valve) in a
2-liter bottle cap, then use a tire chuck on a CO2 tank to carbonate it.
What pressure are you using? (try 55 to 60 psi with cold water) You do
have a pressure regulator, right?
A guy at work with a new Sodastream machine bought 3 gallons of bulk
Diet Mt. Dew syrup someplace, and that's what he uses. It's a lot
cheaper than buying Sodastream syrup.
You might can mix your own cola syrup. Recipes abound. The main
flavorings are citrus peel, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The caramel
and caffeine also might be significant, and who knows what other flavor
notes are in the premium cola brands like Coke (lavender oil? That's a
guess)
HTH, Bob