Homemade Vanilla Extract
One thing which I have always wanted to try doing it to make my own Vanilla Extract. When I was staying at my sisters right after I moved back to Canada she had her own homemade Vanilla Extract and I enjoyed using it when I was baking at hers.
Homemade Vanilla extract tastes a bazillion times better than store bought and contains only two simple ingredients. Alcohol (Vodka) and Vanilla Beans. It does require some time to make it however. You can have it ready to use in as few as 8 weeks, but trust me when I tell you that if you leave it for four to six months you will be rewarded with the best vanilla extract ever. It is truly worth the wait.
Pure Vanilla extract is an essential in the home bakers store cupboard. I never use artificial these days, although I might have done so when I was younger. Truth be told however, there is no comparison when it comes to flavor. The real deal makes a whole world of difference.
It can be quite expensive however. I bought a bottle from Amazon when I first moved back. I bought a one liter bottle of Totonics Mexican Vanilla for $59. I have my doubts as to whether it was pure vanilla extract or not. It said on the bottle that it contained Vanilla Bean Extract, and I did not have any problems with the flavor of it. I really wanted to make my own however.
WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE HOMEMADE VANILLA EXTRACT
Basically you only need two ingredients. A good alcohol and some quality vanilla beans.
Grey Goose Vodka is supposed to be the best vodka to use. That was not available here where I live so I got the next best thing which was Smirnoff. You can also use other alcohols from what I have read. The criteria is that it be at least 80 proof. A good bourbon would be lovely, as would brandy or rum.
Vanilla beans. Yes, you can buy vanilla beans at the grocery store, but they are rather pricey in comparison to buying them online. Sometimes you can join a Vanilla Bean co-op. Then you can order vanilla beans as a group for a much lower price. You do have to wait however until everyone is wanting to put in an order.
I bought my Vanilla Beans online. Here are some of the options available. Both have unique qualities
Madagascar vanilla beans - Madagascar vanilla beans are known as the gold standard for vanilla beans in the vanilla bean world and come from the Islands of Reunion and Madagascar situated in the Indian Ocean. Madagascar vanilla beans have a very rich, full-bodied, almost woody flavor. They are the most frequently used beans because they are so versatile.
Homemade Vanilla Extract
- 6 good quality vanilla beans (if you want a deeper, Double Fold quality vanilla flavor you can use 8 to 10)
- 1 cup (8 ounces/240ml) good quality alcohol (80 proof) (Vodka, brandy, bourbon, rum etc.)
- a half pint sterile canning jar with a tight lid
- Cut your vanilla beans in half and then cut a slit down the side of each bean. Pack the beans into the clean jar.
- Pour the alcohol over top of the beans to cover them completely. Screw the lid on tightly and give the jar a good shake.
- Store in a dark cool place for at least eight weeks, but preferably six to 8 months! Give the jar a good shake every now and then, at least once every couple of weeks.
- Unused, aged vanilla will keep for several years, especially if the beans are kept totally submerged.
Did you make this recipe?
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