Vanilla

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UncleJoe

UncleJoe

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I started making cookies yesterday and thought about this.

Anyone ever try making your own vanilla extract? I know @*Andi has and I believe @Grimm has also.

It was about 4 years ago this topic came up at the old homestead. With the price of V. extract what it is, I decided to play follow the leader.

Ingredients

1/5 of bottom shelf vodka
8-10 vanilla beans- sliced open

Directions

Open the bottle of vodka and remove that little splash thingy in the top. Slice each bean in half lengthwise. Drop them in the bottle. You may have to pour a little of the vodka out to allow for the displacement of the beans and some room to shake the bottle periodically.
Set on a shelf in a cool dark place and wait 6 months giving it a good shake from time to time.

Some one asked me why I wanted to make my own so I did a cost analysis on it.

Store bought- about $2.00 per oz

$15.00- 1.75 liters of vodka
. 1.75 liters = 59oz

$16.00- 35 beans
8-10 beans per bottle = about $4.00

Homemade - $19.00/59oz = $0.29/oz

Store - $118.00/59oz = $2.00/oz

My bottle that I made in 2014

P1030178.JPG
 
After the months, do you remove beans, leave them in and they stop adding to the flavor or leave them in and the flavor keeps getting stronger? Inquiring minds or at least mine wants to know. Pretty Please. Thanks.
 
It's too dark to see now but yes, they're still in there. I didn't see any reason to take them out

And whenever I use it I turn the bottle upside down and give it a few shakes. That way I get the little specks of vanilla floating around and some of them end up in whatever I'm making.
 
When I made mine I just added more vodka as the bottle got low. You know it is time to get new beans when the vodka looks like pish water after 6 months since you refilled it.
 
Grimm said:
When I made mine I just added more vodka as the bottle got low. You know it is time to get new beans when the vodka looks like pish water after 6 months since you refilled it.
Click to expand...

Not sure if this is Di or ss water. :dunno: Either way, glad to know adding a few more beans will restore flavor.
 
Grimm said:
When I made mine I just added more vodka as the bottle got low. You know it is time to get new beans when the vodka looks like pish water after 6 months since you refilled it.
Click to expand...

I don't use it that often so that's still my first bottle.

What I do use a lot of is the vanilla sugar. I have a large pickle jar with 5 beans in it. It holds about 6 cups of sugar. I've refilled it at least a half dozen times and haven't changed the beans yet.
 
We have made our own vanilla for several years now. Wife did get some nice bottle with bail and top seal to keep out for use. The rest get poured in a large bottle for storage. We reuse our beans 2-3 times before replacing them. We have always used vodka, but I have found most any liquor will work, run, brandy, whisky. I enjoy a glass of brandy just every now and then. I do want to try a jar of vanilla with Brandy just to compare the taste.
 
You know I can make a Fire with out Matches, build a Shelter that will keep me Warm and dry in the worst Weather, make Dead Falls and Snares to catch my Dinner....And I am still in Awe of the Knowledge and Skill displayed, even when it is a seemingly small thing like making your own Vanilla, by our Forum Family. Now I have to make some Vanilla.
 
Thanks was after more information about this as I was gifted quite a few vanilla beans from a friend :) .

Funny enough DH was talking with someone about making vanilla extract at church when another friend walked up just as he was saying he was going to buy some vodka. Now being LDS they thought he was going off the rails until he explained we were going to make vanilla extract with it :LOL:.

How damaging just listening to half a conversation can be :D .
 
Vanilla sugar?

I knew about making my own vanilla, my recipe might be for less vodka/vanilla beans.
 
I'll admit that I normaly buy the imitation vanilla for cooking, just cause the other is so expensive, unless its for something very special. I've seen a vanilla bean sold here in the store which is still pricey. . . I think if I remember right it was around $12 for one of the grade A beans that was about 3 inches long. Maybe find cheaper online and now I'm wondering if maybe a heath food store may carry them. . . Thanks for sharing!
 
My wife makes her own vanilla and it is delicious. Her tincture recipe and yours are very similar, although she makes different vanillas using different liquors. Usually leftovers from events so she does not have to pay for it. Last year at her office Christmas party she got a partial bottle of Brandy, Vodka and Rum. All three became vanilla and all three vanillas have a different flavor profile.
 
UncleJoe said:
I don't use it that often so that's still my first bottle.

What I do use a lot of is the vanilla sugar. I have a large pickle jar with 5 beans in it. It holds about 6 cups of sugar. I've refilled it at least a half dozen times and haven't changed the beans yet.
Click to expand...

I make 2 gallons at a time; vanilla only gets better with age. After I am done making the vanilla, the used beans go into the sugar jar same as yours. Vanilla beans are the gift that keeps on giving.

Vanilla beans can be purchased on line, a few beans, or one lb. and up. This is way cheaper than buying them at the store. My family knows that my never fail christmas list is vanilla beans or a pocket knife. Cannot have too much of either.
 
Dani said:
I'll admit that I normaly buy the imitation vanilla for cooking, just cause the other is so expensive, unless its for something very special. I've seen a vanilla bean sold here in the store which is still pricey. . . I think if I remember right it was around $12 for one of the grade A beans that was about 3 inches long. Maybe find cheaper online and now I'm wondering if maybe a heath food store may carry them. . . Thanks for sharing!
Click to expand...

Be careful buying the beans online. Many sellers will sell them cheap and when you get them they stink of vodka. They have already been used for extract and the seller is trying to make a buck from their 'waste'.

FYI I use the beans to flavor sugar after they are done making extract. I scrap the seeds out and add that to vanilla sugar for added texture and flavor. Ice cream too.
 
You can grow your own Vanilla beans in a green house.
: Ruth LovettSmith
vanilla-112388.jpg

What You'll Need
Vanilla bean plant
Pot
Orchid potting mix
Orchid fertilizer
Support stake
Toothpick

Do you love to bake? Are you constantly running out of vanilla extract? Try growing your own vanilla beans for a fresh supply of vanilla year-round.
: Ruth LovettSmith What You'll Need Vanilla bean plant Pot Orchid potting mix Orchid fertilizer Support stake Toothpick Do you love to bake? Are you constantly running out of vanilla extrac
https://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-plant-and-grow-vanilla-beans
 
This may sound like a silly question. Forgive me if it is.
I want to do this. Pretty much the only time of year I use a decent amount of vanilla is Christmas for my peanut brittle. I use. 1 1/2 tablespoons of vanilla per batch.
If I started vanilla in January for December would it be too potent? Too much vanilla (store bought) makes the brittle taste bad. Would I still use the same amount?
Thoughts?
 
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