How much flavor emulsion should I use to start in my recipe?

For potent emulsions, a starting window of 0.2–0.5% by weight is a reasonable place to begin. More broadly, usage rates typically fall between 0.25% and 1.0% depending on the flavor intensity and the product matrix, with some applications going as high as approximately 3% in systems that require it. Because emulsions vary in potency and every product matrix is different, bench testing across a range of doses — and validating through your full thermal and shear process — is essential before landing on a final usage rate.