Homemade Vanilla Extract

[LJSquishy]

Beanilla says "starting at $4.99 each".

If you want the glass vial it's $4.99 for a single bean with the vial. Without the vial they are much cheaper.

 

[EMAW_KSU]

Beanilla says "starting at $4.99 each".

You don't make it with one bean so why would you price one bean?

 

[AmyB2006]

Beanilla says "starting at $4.99 each".

I don't know what Beanilla is, but just go to amazon and buy them from there. You just need beans. You're putting them in vodka so it's not like you need the highest quality bean.

I've never had a problem with the ones I get from amazon. I get 1/4 lb (about 25-30 beans) for around $20-$22.

 

[a742246]

Back in the late 1990's I used to buy my vanilla beans from Tripper.com.
They are a direct importer, I do not know if they sell to the general public but they had top quality beans back then.

 

[karice2]

I have bought beans from beanilla and made vanilla beans. I made my own vanilla and it came out really good. I let it soak for about 6 months since it was my first time.

 

[Marionnette]

I was inspired by this thread to give this a try. My order from Amazon just arrived this morning and the 4 oz. amber bottles and caps are in the dishwasher. I have to get the vodka today. It definitely won't be ready for this Christmas but maybe for gifts throughout the year for my friends who bake.

 

[EMAW_KSU]

This is the bottle I started on September 9 and after three days.

 

[bluetenshi55]

I did this at the beginning of the year. I got my beans from Spicesage for free when I was ordering a bunch of other spices. I used a bottle of mid-range vodka. Pinnacle I think.

They do these specials every once in a while. In fact I think they just did one recently. I think it was spend $35, get 6 free vanilla beans.

Also great, if you use vanilla beans in something put the spent beans in a canister of sugar. Wait a couple of weeks and you have great vanilla sugar.

I'm going to be doing the faster route using a new bean for Christmas cookies.

 

[Happyjen27]

I think if you start now you might have to tell whomever you give it to that they should hold it for a while before they use it. I usually give my vanilla four months to steep.

IMO Amazon sells good quality vanilla beans for a good price. I've never found them to be dried out when I receive them. I usually buy them in bulk and make a lot of vanilla at once (several liters) because I use a ton of vanilla in cooking and baking.

I bought my vanilla beans on Amazon, I was very happy. I used them to make the extract, and then let them dry out a bit and put them into pint sized mason jars with sugar for vanilla sugar. One of my gift recipients is in AA, and I knew he wouldn't use the vanilla at all, but he could use the sugar.

That vanilla extract would have to be pretty awesome. Have you priced vanilla beans? Unless you buy a whole bunch, they are $5 to $7 each online, more in the store.

It's worth every penny, but like 15 of them, I think it was like $25. It's amazing flavor, and really, truly makes a difference in some things. In other things, like brownies, I'll just use the store crap.

I highly recommend using plain grain alcohol, like Everclear. All other alcohols will impart a flavor.

 

[Cowboysrule]

I bought my vanilla beans on Amazon, I was very happy. I used them to make the extract, and then let them dry out a bit and put them into pint sized mason jars with sugar for vanilla sugar. One of my gift recipients is in AA, and I knew he wouldn't use the vanilla at all, but he could use the sugar.

Someone in AA is not allowed to use extracts?

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

Someone in AA is not allowed to use extracts?

I wouldn't say "is not allowed to" but extracts are almost pure alcohol, it can trigger a falling off of the wagon.

When used in cooking the alcohol burns off but I imagine many recovering alcoholics would not want to keep bottles of them in the house.

 

[tvguy]

I don't know what Beanilla is, but just go to amazon and buy them from there. You just need beans. You're putting them in vodka so it's not like you need the highest quality bean.

I've never had a problem with the ones I get from amazon. I get 1/4 lb (about 25-30 beans) for around $20-$22.

Beanilla is the online retailer of vanilla beans that the another poster mentioned. And they sell direct or through Amazon.

 

[a742246]

I wouldn't say "is not allowed to" but extracts are almost pure alcohol, it can trigger a falling off of the wagon.

When used in cooking the alcohol burns off but I imagine many recovering alcoholics would not want to keep bottles of them in the house.

Almost all extracts are denatured by the essential oils. I don't know if someone could keep the extract in their stomach for long.

 

[MomToOne]

Almost all extracts are denatured by the essential oils. I don't know if someone could keep the extract in their stomach for long.

Oh, there are those that do:

http://www.tnduicenter.com/2010/07/21/vanilla-extract-not-just-for-baking-anymore/

http://www.mdjunction.com/forums/al...812273-i-drank-the-vanilla-extract-last-night

http://www.bettyfordcenter.org/trea...i-be-mixing-vanilla-into-my-ground-coffee.php

http://judyforeman.com/qanda/can-recovering-alcoholic-safely-eat-food-made-vanilla-extract-wine-etc/

 

[ferrytale]

I'm making it for gifts for Christmas, most of the sites I looked at said 6-8 weeks, longer is better, but should be enough time for gifts. Most people aren't going to use it right away anyway, so it can sit longer. It's been sitting since this weekend and looks like it's working.
Where does everyone get their bottles? Amazon?

 

[Happyjen27]

Yes, I bought 4 ounce bottles from amazon. Be careful and read reviews, some buyers noticed a "chemically" smell from their bottles, leading them to believe that the bottles had been previously used and were not brand new.

 

[Happyjen27]

Someone in AA is not allowed to use extracts?

In this case, being offered 100% grain alcohol in a bottle flavored with vanilla beans as a "gift" would be no gift at all to this receiver. It would be thoughtless for me to do. I don't know about other people involved in AA and their extract preferences.

 

[EMAW_KSU]

In this case, being offered 100% grain alcohol in a bottle flavored with vanilla beans as a "gift" would be no gift at all to this receiver. It would be thoughtless for me to do. I don't know about other people involved in AA and their extract preferences.

Flavored alcohol is different than vanilla extract.