The Flavor Science Behind 7OH+ Chewables and Shots

One of the biggest challenges in making concentrated kratom extracts—especially those with high 7-hydroxymitragynine content—is their strong, bitter, and lingering taste. 7OH+ has approached this issue with a blend of food science and 7 tabz design, creating chewable tablets and shots that mask the harshness without dulling potency. This is not just about making the product pleasant; it’s about improving compliance—people are more likely to take a product as directed if it’s enjoyable.

How Bitterness Works and Why It’s Hard to Hide

Bitterness is detected by T2R receptors on the tongue, which are highly sensitive to alkaloids like 7-OH. Unlike sweet or salty tastes that fade quickly, bitterness tends to linger, especially when combined with oily or resin-like compounds found in plant extracts. That’s why kratom tea drinkers often report that even adding sugar doesn’t completely mask the taste.

7OH+’s Approach to Flavor Masking

7OH+ uses several techniques to manage bitterness:

High-Impact Sweeteners: Flavors like mango, watermelon, and vanilla use both natural sugars and sugar alcohols for immediate sweetness.

Flavor Layering: Instead of a single flavor, they blend multiple complementary notes (e.g., Pineapple + Citrus) to create complexity that distracts from bitterness.

Aroma Integration: Smell influences taste perception. Many chewables are coated or infused with aromatic compounds to make the flavor feel more intense.

Acid-Bitter Balance: Citric or malic acid is added in some flavors to give a tangy bite that overpowers alkaloid bitterness for the first few seconds after chewing.

Flavor Profiles in Chewable Tablets

Apple: Crisp and slightly tart, ideal for masking mid-level bitterness.

Pineapple: Tropical sweetness with a sharp edge, helpful for higher 7-OH doses.

Mango: Smooth, sweet, and full-bodied—often considered the easiest for beginners.

Vanilla: More subtle, but paired with cream-like undertones for a soft finish.

Watermelon: A “candy” flavor approach, using esters that mimic watermelon candy rather than fresh fruit for stronger sweetness.

Flavor Challenges in Liquid Shots

Liquid formats bring extra hurdles—bitterness spreads faster in liquids than solids, and lingering aftertaste can be more noticeable. 7OH+ addresses this with:

Concentrated Fruit Extracts for bold flavor upfront

Sweetened Syrup Bases to coat the mouth

Chilled Serving Suggestions since cold temperature dulls bitter receptor sensitivity

Why Flavored Delivery is More Than Just “Candy-Coating”

Some critics think flavoring is just about making the product taste nice, but in reality, it’s also about bioavailability and dose accuracy. A well-formulated chewable ensures the alkaloid disperses evenly during chewing, while a flavored shot can use viscosity and emulsifiers to maintain uniform suspension, preventing “hot spots” of overly strong doses in a sip.

Final Thoughts

By mastering flavor science, 7OH+ has made a potent, bitter alkaloid into something more approachable without compromising dosage precision. For many, this means they can take their preferred dose without the gag reflex that often comes with kratom extracts. Of course, the pleasant taste can also lead to the temptation to take more than intended—so the same caution around potency still applies.