Home Made Vanilla Extract

(Recipe adapted from Two Men and a Little Farm, link below)

Why make your own Vanilla Extract?

For one it’s very easy to make and two, if you are a prolific baker it saves a ton of money compared to buying it one or two ounces at a time. 2oz of Vanilla Extract at WalMart cost $8.12 ($4.06 per ounce) or $101.50 for 25 ounces.

The 25 ounces (750ml) of the homemade extract is $1.68 per ounce.

Ingredients: Yields about 25 ounces

• One bottle, 750ml of Vodka, 80 Proof (40% alcohol). $6.97
• Ten, Grade ‘A’ Gourmet Madagascar Vanilla Beans Bourbon. $34.99

Directions:

• Starting about a ½ inch from the stem end, split each bean lengthwise to expose all the tiny seeds inside.
• Open the bottle of Vodka and pour off about 2 ounces and reserve.
• Insert into the Vodka bottle all ten split beans.
• With the reserved Vodka fill the bottle 1 inch from the top.
• Put the cap back on the bottle, tighten and shake.
• Store in a dark place like a pantry.
• Shake the bottle every week to mix the bean oils with the Vodka.
• Should be finished in about 4 months.
• For baking use transfer to a 6-8oz bottle.

About the ‘Bourbon’ in the bean name:

• There is no Bourbon in these beans.
• The "Bourbon" in the name refers to the Bourbon Kings of France, who ruled Reunion Island where vanilla was grown.

I purchased my beans online from:

I ordered 10 beans from www.vanillabeankings.com ($34.99) ouch! But Free Shipping. They are shipped in a vacuum sealed bag.

Normally the ten beans cost about $12.00 but there is a shortage of them this year. With the lower and more reasonable bean cost, one ounce of homemade would be $0.76 per ounce vs the current $4.06 an ounce at WalMart.

General Bean Information from the Seller:

• Traditionally Cured Gourmet Madagascar Vanilla Beans from 2018 Crop.
• Perfect for Making Homemade Vanilla Extract or any Baking and Cooking that uses Vanilla Beans.
• Average Length: Approximately 5.5 – 7 Inches (15 – 17.50 cm).
• Color/Texture: Black/Dark Brown, Very Oily, Full of Black Vanilla Seeds.
• Fragrance: Strong, Full, Rich, Buttery Vanilla Aroma with Hints of Chocolate.

The only two ingredients needed, Vodka of any brand and the ten Vanilla Beans

The bean label.

The ten beans out of the vacuum sealed bag.

Everything needed and the ten beans split lengthwise.

All the beans in the 750ml bottle before topping off about an inch from the top with the reserved Vodka.

Link to this Recipe Source:

http://twomenandalittlefarm.blogspot.com/2019/01/homemade-vanilla-extract.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FmDphU+%28Two+Men+and+a+Little+Farm%29