Has anyone made their own vanilla extract?

[CanisFirebrand]

I made some a few years ago, but haven't used it yet. I'm not sure if its still good to use or if I should dump it.

I took a vanilla bean and split it. I then put the bean in a bottle and filled it with vodka. I then capped the bottle and have only oppened it occasionally to smell it.

How long does the stuff stay good to use? Would it be even good to use?

I've never done any kind of extract yet.

[kewlhippiechick]

YES!!! It's still good! I made some in October of '99 and still use it to this day. And the best thing is that as long as the vodka doesn't go below the top of the vanilla beans (refill after you use it!) you can use it forever! I give it a good shake every now and then to keep it up to par, but that's really all you need to do!

[CanisFirebrand]

Great, that is exactly what I wanted to hear. :)

Everytime I smell it, it smells wonderful :)

[kewlhippiechick]

Oh, good! If it's smelling wonderful then it's most ready to use! I love mine! I'm glad I could help...btw, you can also use brandy for the vodka. :sunny:

[jennymac]

Wow that sounds great. I'll have to try that!!

[Lavender]

And the homemade vanilla extract is actually better for you. Have you ever read the ingredients on the store bought extract? Scary stuff!

[Calyx]

Are there other extracts besides vanilla you can make with vodka? I would love to try this!!

:spaceman:

[MoonRaven]

I've been meaning to make vanilla extract for some time, but the BF is always telling me "we can't afford vanilla beans right now." And yet, he'll pay $7 for a bottle of pure vanilla extract (I swore off the artificial stuff when I moved out of my parents' place - evil evil stuff).

It is possible to make other extracts. You can make them from cinnamon, anise, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, almonds, lemon, lime, cherry... anything that vodka can leech the flavour out of, really. :)

[WandererInGray]

*smiles* You can use vodka to make a great many tinctures. *ponders* I don't know about other extracts though, I assume you're talking like peppermint, almond, things like that?

Can anyone tell me how long you have to let it set when you make it the first time - before it's ready for use? We've established that it can't really go bad, but how long for beginning vanilla extract?

[MoonRaven]

One vanilla bean in 3/4 cup of vodka will take 4-6 months of waiting, combined with an occasional shake. :)
I've also heard that some people prefer to use light rum, because it's got a more complementary taste (I don't care what anyone says - vodka HAS a taste).

Every extract is different - it depends on what you're using.

The nice thing about homemade vanilla extract is that you get so much, so you can use it for more than cooking - you can use it to make a nice vanilla room spray as well (equal parts extract and water in a spray bottle).

[WandererInGray]

*grins* I'm so excited. We bought a 375mL bottle of Absolute (which is a cup and half, app.)
I put two beans just right into the bottle and recapped it. Even after only a couple of hours it smelled really good!
Goofed up though and scraped the beans instead of just cutting them, I'm going to have to strain it before I use it. :lol:

[Lavender]

Oh, when you're buying vanilla beans, check to see if it's fresh by bending it. If it snaps, put it back. Vanilla beans should be dried but still supple enough to bend.

[MoonRaven]

I was told that they should be like big long raisins. :)

[kewlhippiechick]

*grins* I'm so excited. We bought a 375mL bottle of Absolute (which is a cup and half, app.)
I put two beans just right into the bottle and recapped it. Even after only a couple of hours it smelled really good!
Goofed up though and scraped the beans instead of just cutting them, I'm going to have to strain it before I use it. :lol:
No! You're fine! When I made mine, the directions said to cut slits along each bean. I have LOADS of little seeds floating around in mine. It doesn't ruin it at all. Just remember that when you're starting a fresh batch, like you have, it's important to shake it at least once a day for a month. And that after you use some, top it off with vodka and shake again.

[WandererInGray]

No! You're fine! When I made mine, the directions said to cut slits along each bean. I have LOADS of little seeds floating around in mine. It doesn't ruin it at all. Just remember that when you're starting a fresh batch, like you have, it's important to shake it at least once a day for a month. And that after you use some, top it off with vodka and shake again.
Sweet! Thanks KHC! :D
I've just left it out on the counter, that way I remember to shake it. *laughs* If I put it away I'm sure I'll forget.

It wasn't just the seeds that bothered me, I've got like stringy stuff, kinda clear (probably the inner skin of the bean) floating in there as well.

I'll probably just play it by ear, if it's in something that it would be really noticable I'll strain it first, but if I'm using it for chocolate cake or pancakes or something, I'm sure it's not going to matter!

*laughs* Now for the hard part...waiting for 6 months.

It occured to me that one could make their own Vanilla Vodka in this same fashion...would be cheaper than buying the pre-made stuff at the store. I'm assuming you just wouldn't let it soak as long, and you'd definately want to strain it first?

[Lavender]

I was told that they should be like big long raisins. :)
Really really long thin raisins! They're usually about 5-8" long and blackish brown. The little seeds inside looks like black dots and there are zillions of them inside.

[kewlhippiechick]

Sweet! Thanks KHC! :D
I've just left it out on the counter, that way I remember to shake it. *laughs* If I put it away I'm sure I'll forget.

It wasn't just the seeds that bothered me, I've got like stringy stuff, kinda clear (probably the inner skin of the bean) floating in there as well.

I'll probably just play it by ear, if it's in something that it would be really noticable I'll strain it first, but if I'm using it for chocolate cake or pancakes or something, I'm sure it's not going to matter!

*laughs* Now for the hard part...waiting for 6 months.

It occured to me that one could make their own Vanilla Vodka in this same fashion...would be cheaper than buying the pre-made stuff at the store. I'm assuming you just wouldn't let it soak as long, and you'd definately want to strain it first?
You're welcome!
In the recipe that I have, I used 3 beans and filled up a bottle, about the size of a worchestershire sauce bottle, with vodka. Slit the beans, shake every day for a month, then it's usable after a month. And it just keeps getting better and better. Like I said, I made mine originally in October of '99. I just LOVE it!

[dragonspirit 69]

BY the way Don't throw away the beans when you are done making the extract. put them in a grinder with about a cup of sugar and grind well. then use anywere you use sugar. Like tea, cookies ect. enjoy

[shamannath]

*smiles* You can use vodka to make a great many tinctures. *ponders* I don't know about other extracts though, I assume you're talking like peppermint, almond, things like that?

Can anyone tell me how long you have to let it set when you make it the first time - before it's ready for use? We've established that it can't really go bad, but how long for beginning vanilla extract?
I agree with MoonRaven on their mixing (One vanilla bean in 3/4 cup of vodka will take 4-6 months of waiting, combined with an occasional shake.) however I disagree with the time frame most inex= Infusional Extra of alcohol (spirit water) can be speed up if you want to take the time and energy. I can do them in a day for my cleints, even done them in a few hours because it was a must do. So it depends on you and what you want, crush your beans in the spirit water and set near heat (not to close or Boom it shall go!) shake it like there's no tomorrow for at leased a week. As I said there is a quicker way however if you don't have the equipment its not really to safe nor do i reconmend it

[WandererInGray]

*shrugs* I don't mind waiting. I've still got a small bottle of storebought stuff that I can use in the meantime.

*laughs* Waiting is part of the fun anyhow!

[mothwench]

yep, i agree. waiting, taking the phials out of their little holders, holding them to the light, inspecting, shaking, putting them back in their little holders... i love it!
i've never thought to make it with vodka so i can use it in cooking, tho. i make it with ethanol. spirit alcohol? and use it in perfumes.
so when you make this vodka or rum stuff, how much do you use, quantity wise? as much as you would use the store-bought stuff? or is it less strong?

[Flar's Freyja]

yep, i agree. waiting, taking the phials out of their little holders, holding them to the light, inspecting, shaking, putting them back in their little holders... i love it!
i've never thought to make it with vodka so i can use it in cooking, tho. i make it with ethanol. spirit alcohol? and use it in perfumes.
so when you make this vodka or rum stuff, how much do you use, quantity wise? as much as you would use the store-bought stuff? or is it less strong?

Mothwench, how do you use it in perfumes? I'd like to make a vanilla fragrance oil to use in soap making. I bought some vanilla today - not extract - and was wondering if I could turn it into a fragrance oil.

[mothwench]

no, i macerate it in alcohol. i take the seeds out first and use them for cooking and baking, cause the pod usually holds enough fragrance.
when i buy them, they come in skinny glass phials, which i just fill up with alcohol with an eye-dropper. shake it occasionnally for about two or three weeks, then strain the alcohol, and you can use the same vanilla pod again to repeat the process but the fragrance won't be as strong this time. so far i've tried this method with cinnamon and lavender and it works fine. i'm trying out a cucumber maceration at the mo, but i think it's starting to smell like rotton melons. :sick: :lol:
so anyway, then i use this fragranced alcohol to mix perfumes.

[Krafty Werks]

Would Everclear work as well?

I know its a grain alcohol and i use it to make tinctures.

Any difference though?

[Dusk]

How often should you change the beans when making extract?

[WandererInGray]

I would think so Krafty. :) *shrugs* You may get a stronger vanilla, rum or vodka is the traditional, someone else will have to say for sure though.

Dusk, I think back up at the top there's some comments about how long? I'm not sure. I know they said as long as you keep them covered but I would think after refilling the bottle once (maybe twice) the beans would lose their flavor.

[CanisFirebrand]

I have one that I have one that I have made with bourban instead of vodka. It smells just as good. In fact, I think there is one popular vanilla extract that you can buy in the store that is made with bourban.

I can't wait to try it.

[banondraig]

yep, i agree. waiting, taking the phials out of their little holders, holding them to the light, inspecting, shaking, putting them back in their little holders... i love it!
i've never thought to make it with vodka so i can use it in cooking, tho. i make it with ethanol. spirit alcohol? and use it in perfumes.
so when you make this vodka or rum stuff, how much do you use, quantity wise? as much as you would use the store-bought stuff? or is it less strong?

i don't know how it is in germany since i don't have a kitchen there, :wah: but in the states vanilla extract usually runs about 35% alcohol, with some corn syrup content as well, don't ask me why. vodka (again, stateside) averages 40%. rum i don't know about.

[fireswimmer]

One vanilla bean in 3/4 cup of vodka will take 4-6 months of waiting, combined with an occasional shake. :)
I've also heard that some people prefer to use light rum, because it's got a more complementary taste (I don't care what anyone says - vodka HAS a taste).

Every extract is different - it depends on what you're using.

The nice thing about homemade vanilla extract is that you get so much, so you can use it for more than cooking - you can use it to make a nice vanilla room spray as well (equal parts extract and water in a spray bottle).


I would be careful about the light rum. To make a tincture that will last you need to have 100 proof, and you want to be careful about the sugar content. It is the 100 proof that is really needed. Professionals can use 200 proof and cut it with water but many states do not allow 200 proof, or only do so with special permits/licenses, and a very large tax on it.

Fireswimmer

[Khaelo]

Err...old topic, but...

My ice cream recipe book mentions "double" vanilla extract, apparently available from a special retailer. Now the stores are selling double-vanilla ice cream, and a local bakery has triple-vanilla cupcakes! Barring expensive mail-order extract, how are they doing it?

I like vanilla. :D At this point, I improve the vanillaness of any given dessert by simply using a tablespoon of extract where the recipe calls for a teaspoon. However, this doesn't work well when the recipe is sensitive to moisture (i.e. icing). How can I multiply the vanilla-factor of homemade vanilla extract? My mom's been making the stuff from cheap vodka for years -- would using Everclear make it more vanilla-y? And if so, is Everclear legal in Wisconsin, since it's not available in Minnesota?

[RoseKitten]

Err...old topic, but...

My ice cream recipe book mentions "double" vanilla extract, apparently available from a special retailer. Now the stores are selling double-vanilla ice cream, and a local bakery has triple-vanilla cupcakes! Barring expensive mail-order extract, how are they doing it?

I like vanilla. :D At this point, I improve the vanillaness of any given dessert by simply using a tablespoon of extract where the recipe calls for a teaspoon. However, this doesn't work well when the recipe is sensitive to moisture (i.e. icing). How can I multiply the vanilla-factor of homemade vanilla extract? My mom's been making the stuff from cheap vodka for years -- would using Everclear make it more vanilla-y? And if so, is Everclear legal in Wisconsin, since it's not available in Minnesota?


Double and triple??? wow.... I'm really glad you brought this topic back up too ^_^ I can't wait to make my own vanilla :colorful:

[misty]

WOW! I never thought of making my own vanilla extract!!! I will be doing so, now! :woot: