Homemade Vanilla
03/01/10
You won't believe how easy this is!
Vanilla beans. They’re sold in the bulk spice section. From 6 to 10 beans for one pint of vanilla extract.
Cut along most of the length of each bean.
This is what is inside. So maybe the big thing is called a pod, and these are the beans? I'm not a detail person...I just want to make some vanilla.
Next, cram the pods into a sterilized jar and pour vodka over them to fill the jar. Now let it sit in a dark area for 4-6 weeks.
From this....
to this as easy as that! Well except for that part about waiting 6 weeks. I've also heard that as your vanilla gets used up you can continue to top off the jar with the alcohal using the same beans...er--pods. I'm not sure how long. If anyone would like to add their advice or any details to this that I've missed, please feel free to do so in the comment box! Thanks!
OOOOO how exciting. This makes me want to REALLY try this. Let us know how it tastes etc…..
I love making homemade vanilla! I do mine a little differently. I do top it off with more vodka, but I’ve read it’s good to take out the beans after 6 months in the vodka because they get… stale? I think that’s it. Something like that. I make mine a vodka bottle at a time
I think the next time I make it I’m going to try a different alcohol.
Rum works well.
Thanks Jaime for the 6 month suggestion! My mom uses rum as you can see in her comment
It’s only been a few weeks and the vanilla looks reeeeaaaally dark—even darker than the natural store-bought kind of have. That seems like a good sign.
Jaime–when you make a bottle at a time how many beans/pods do you use? Mom? I read a bunch of different recipes and settled on the one that called for the fewest just so I didn’t use up as many. We’ll see if it’s strong enough!