Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Vanilla We Enjoy

How to Make Vanilla Extract

INGREDIENTS

  • 3 vanilla beans
  • 1 cup vodka
  • glass jar with tight fitting lid

Our favorite vanilla bean source:

Note that beans are shipped fresh, vacuum packed.
These are seasonal and presently out of stock.


I use vodka for vanilla and tincture making. Once, at Costco I ran into one of Mom’s cousins. We had a nice chat, but I wondered why she didn’t seem as warm as usual.
When I turned to go, I realized there were three large vodka bottles in my cart. :) ~Regina

11 comments:

Jamilyn T. said...

I love to make my own, I am addicted (not literally lol) but the smell is wonderful and I know what's in it.

Zen said...

Thank you!!!!!!! This is wonderful news! LOL I really want to make some.
We use vanilla a lot in our baking :)

Lanita Noa said...

I have been making my own for about 3 years now. It is so much cheaper, plus the flavor is far superior. We love it.

Mary Ann D. said...

I had no idea that it would be that easy to make. I am going to make some. Thanks.

Bruce B. said...

Does it matter what kind of vodka is used? Some vodka is made from wheat and other of molasses. Russian vodka is usually made from rye.

Regina said...

The site I read said the type does not matter. We usually use the California made vodka at Costco. A friend made vanilla with rum.

Bruce B. said...

OK Thanks! I have a friend who is a great pasty and dessert cook. She's going to love the vanilla extract.

Tamara H said...

Awesome- thanks, My husband can buy some alcohol from the airport here, and then I can try to make this myself! I won't have to have people shipping me vanilla extract from the States anymore. Woo-hoo! :~D Haha- it'll be his first alcohol purchase ever!

Regina said...

I use vodka for vanilla and tincture making. Once, at Costco I ran into one of Mom’s cousins. We had a nice chat, but I wondered why she didn’t seem as warm as usual.
When I turned to go, I realized there were three large vodka bottles in my cart. :)

Tamara H said...

Thanks for the chuckle! Too funny!

Nick Jesch said...

Vodka is great for such uses.. it is the cleanest form of ethanol commercially available, and a WHOLE lot cheaper than medical grade ethanol... which usually requires a prescription. Rum, tequila, other "hard" liquors all have other components left from the distillation process. Some work well.. I'll bet the vanilla extract made with a smooth run is very good. About the only difference in vodkas is that the higher priced ones generally (though not always) have less "bite", and thus would make a better (smoother" extract. Some of my brothers are great fans of vodka, though not for such uses as the Seppis make of them!! They know (extensive research) which ones are the best buys.. smooth and clean, at the lowest prices. I do know some of the Russian vodkas are made from potatoes... the starches convert to suger, then the yeast torns that to alcohol. Rye is also common in Russian vodkas. As Regina mentioned, it makes little difference in final flavor what form of starch/suger is used.
I bought some VERY nice vanilla extract, both a light ("white") and a rich, dark version of Borbon vanilla, for almost nothing in the Dominican Republic. I think it was three dollars equivalent for a pint....

Here, though, I do believe Regina has the best course... clean, very high quality, and low cost. She seems to have a great source of the whole beans..