Vanilla Extract: An Update

 I had several questions about making vanilla extract and I thought that a post was in order. The bottle above is a couple weeks into it's process and honestly, you could use it now. It is SO vanilla-y already. I used vodka (it's a clear alcohol in case you didn't know) and it's taken on this dark, amber color in a relatively short amount of time. When it's done I'll strain it through one of my milk filters, although you could use a double layer of cotton, to get rid of all the tiny pieces of vanilla bean pod that are floating around in there.

To make the vanilla, I poured off about 1/4 cup of the alcohol and added 12 beans that I had cut with scissors into 1-2 inch pieces. Everyday I give the bottle a couple of shakes and that's all there is to it! I did make a big bottle this time, it's 750 ML.

Here are the beans I ordered. I bought a pound of vanilla beans from Vanilla Products USA on Ebay. They cost me $24.95. There are 140-160 beans per pound of the Madagascar Bourbon extract beans. That is one heck of a lot of beans when you really get to looking at them!

As an added bonus, Vanilla Products USA has super cheap shipping AND you get free beans with your order. I got 1/4 LB of Grade A Gourmet Tahitian Vanilla beans as my free with purchase. I'm saving these little beauties for something extra special :)



Just a fun look at all the little vanilla beans that rub off on your fingers when you handle the beans. You will smell great all day after you touch them!