How to Make Vanilla Extract

Pure Vanilla Extract!


Okay so this stuff is super expensive and I'm trying to raise some children in America. So why not make my own!

Actually this batch I'm testing on friends and family (but don't tell them).  I am making Christmas gifts out of the extract I produce this time around. JUST in time for Christmas present planning.. You'll need 6 weeks minimum to make this delicious stuff... here is how;

First you'll need to invest in some vanilla beans.  I purchased mine from ebay, and to tell you truth I'm not sure where else you would purchase these without breaking the bank!
There are different Grades for beans and also different types of beans.
I got grade B

Vanilla Bean Grades

When a bean has completed its curing the bean goes through a grading process. The Bean is separated from others according to length, color, plumpness, appearance, shape, and moisture content. The more the quality a little bean holds, the more it is in demand and hence the higher market value.

Most all varieties of Beans have this grading;
A
Whole, uniform, fine, fatty, oily pods. Deep, dark, chocolate brown in color. No defects or blemishes. Great aroma, flexible with good moisture content, about 8 inches in length. The finest of all grades.
B
Similar in quality and characteristics to Prime grade beans, but slightly less plump.



Then there are grades below those... buut... nothing you want to mess with when it comes to a pure extract, you simple wont obtain the quality in flavor, you mineswell go buy vanilla flavor instead of pure vanilla.


Now, I went through this company on ebay

Now I actually purchased Tahitian Vanilla Beans (a whole pound) and I went for the cheaper Grade B. If I had another chance (perhaps next year) I WILL be purchasing Premium Madagascar Bourbon Grade for a little extra money. That being said what I purchased was not bad, but there were a lot of very thin dry beans which don't make for a GREAT Vanilla Lemonade .. YUM

Now believe it or not Vanilla Extract is alcohol... again when I have the luxury next time I will be ordering premium FAT little beans and to make things a little more interesting I will be using some top notch vodka to make mamma (that's me) my very own stash! That wouldn't be so bad in some cocktails!

POUR-SLICE-SCRAPE-SHAKE-WAIT
Let's begin

No exact measuring here guys and gals... pour and plop method

You will need:
1 large Mason Jar
3-5 cups of Vodka (nothing fancy-I went for the cheapest I could find)
7-10 Vanilla Beans (Best you can find for your money)
knife
Music

*Fill that jar with vodka 3/4 full (just until you get all the vanilla in, then you'll fill the rest of the way)
*Slice the vanilla beans in half.
*Scrape the vanilla beans of their gold (like below)

I used the back of my knife so I wouldn't take too much of the pod with the beans!

DUMP- all the pods and the beans into your jar and fill the remainder of the room left with Vodka. The longer you keep these beans in there the better this extract will be.

You will need to keep this in a dark and cool area, if you have dark colored glass jars EVEN better! Sunlight damages important chemicals made for those flavor notes that hit your tongue.. so keep these puppies locked down BUT don't forget about them either. I set myself a reminder to agitate or shake it a little every week! 

Give it a minimum of 6 weeks... Mine is almost there. I did this around 5 weeks ago, and it is super dark in color and looks amazing!  Everyone who gets some will be thrilled. I will post an update soon.

Let me know if you will be trying to make your own homemade vanilla! 

XOXO