Who else makes their own vanilla extract??

1911Man

I just started a new batch of vanilla extract (I make it for mom to use). Ordered up a 15 pack of premium Madagascar vanilla beans (18 arrived yesterday). Stopped for the [Sky]vodka on the way home from work tonight and got it all together after dinner. I only picked up a 750ml bottle of vodka and split the beans into three pint mason jars. Split the beans, then cut them in half (length) before putting them into the jars. Got the vodka about as evenly distributed as possible in the jars and then gave them a good shake.

Over the coming months (some info says two months, other says up to six months) I'll shake the jars about once a week. They'll go into a dark place (probable in the cabinets under the counter in the kitchen) until they look ready.

The first batch I did, back around 2012/13 was with more vodka and beans and has lasted this long. Mom might run out after her holiday baking this season. So I expect to have the new stuff ready before she does any more baking. I still have jars to pour it into for her too.

I'll probably save a good amount of the bean pieces that are left and tell her to add them to sugar for other things. I believe my nephew's girlfriend will be getting a jar (4oz) of this batch since she bakes too. I'll make sure that she gets some of the 'spent' beans to add to sugar, or whatever else.

BTW, you want to use vodka with the least amount of flavor to it. Since I've had solid results with the Sky vodka, that's what I'll continue to use.

Also, this vanilla extract will beat (without any effort) pretty much anything you'll buy without spending a fortune. At $65.50 for the entire batch I consider it a bargain. Not to mention you know EXACTLY what is in it. Where you have to hope that stuff you buy is actually the quality you want. If you've never had/used this level of extract before (and you make things that call for vanilla extract) it's worth doing. Not to mention the shelf life of this stuff is pretty much infinite. You'll run out long before it turns. Considering how mom is using stuff that's over 5 years old and it's still epic says a lot right there.

I'm sure I could have put everything into two jars and such. But I had already split the beans into three piles and had them in there when I started pouring the vodka. I might just use one of my larger jars for the next batch. IF I remember that is. Since I don't expect to need to make any more for another 4+ years (probably at least five years).

lkapigian

Never even thought of it, but I imagine it's amazing 

1911Man

First batch I made had mom raving about it. Best she had ever used.

I looked up the set of beans I used last time. Prices are about 12x what they were back in 2012. Ouch. Will see how 6 beans in maybe 10oz of vodka does. I also had a recommendation for another brand of vodka that's made in NH and distilled more times than what I used. I'll probably get another batch of beans next month and make a batch with that. Then I'll let mom decide which she likes best.

RRP

1911Man said:

First batch I made had mom raving about it. Best she had ever used.

I looked up the set of beans I used last time. Prices are about 12x what they were back in 2012. Ouch. Will see how 6 beans in maybe 10oz of vodka does. I also had a recommendation for another brand of vodka that's made in NH and distilled more times than what I used. I'll probably get another batch of beans next month and make a batch with that. Then I'll let mom decide which she likes best.

Gotta give you the HIGH five hand slap on this one! I have never even given "make it myself" a thought! I use so little of it that the bottles from Wakins that I have will probably  be around and thrown out after I kick the bucket!

blasting

Great post - this kind of stuff is what makes the forum interesting.

I had no idea that good vanilla is pretty much straight alcohol.

nolaegghead

I still have a half bottle I got from gary  @Village Idiot.  

Vanilla beans are extremely difficult to cultivate.  I think there were some environmental and political issues that drove supply down and the price way up.

Mickey

Like @nolaegghead I received a bottle from @Village Idiot. There is a tremendous difference in the real stuff. By the way, my bottle is EMPTY!

buzd504

Where did you get the beans?

berndcrisp

Vanilla beans come from orchids in Madagascar and Mexico and can be purchased online or in most grocery stores. They are not cheap.

Eggcelsior

berndcrisp said:

Vanilla beans come from orchids in Madagascar and Mexico and can be purchased online or in most grocery stores. They are not cheap.

In addition, they are the 2nd most difficult “seasoning” to cultivate in the world after saffron. The only place vanilla is naturally pollinated is Mexico, where a specific bee does the work. Everywhere else in the world, pollination is done by hand and has to be done within a hour or something or the flower withers and falls off. Most vanilla comes from the Bourbon Islands(Now called Reunion) off of Madagascar. Everything else is from Mexico or Indonesia/Tahiti/Papau New Guinea(Tahitian Vanilla).

Carolina Q

There's a store in CT I've bought from (though in person only) that sells vanilla beans (1 bean pod, $4, four oz, $69). 

https://spicemillct.com/store/Vanilla-Beans-Madagascar-Each-p110592962

Penzeys and the Spice House carry it too, though it's more expensive. 

Florida Grillin Girl

I've been making it for years. I order extract grade vanilla beans in bulk
from Beanilla     
 
https://www.beanilla.com/madagascar-vanilla-beans-extract-grade-b?nosto=nosto-page-search1

Also order 24 4-oz. specialty bottles, custom labels and shrink
wrap the lids for safety ... and wha la, my Christmas giveaway every year
that everyone looks forward to.

I use Svedka vodka.

Last years batch~

Skiddymarker

@Tjcoley gave me a bottle during a rub and sauce exchange a few years ago. He uses Absolute 200ml bottles, good to go and no need to transfer into another bottle.

Since then we have gone thru a couple of litres of vodka making extract. Have a couple  bottles of extract on hand and as soon as you get down to 1/2 the bottle, top it up and let it sit for 2 or 3 months. You can keep reusing the beans until after 3 months it lacks the punch you want.

I tried infusing vodka with a whipping syphon using old beans, have had mixed results, generally it is an overnight process.  

CPARKTX

Very cool, thanks for posting

BobDanger

I’m gonna give this a try.  Thanks for posting.

nolaegghead

I hate to be a buzz kill, but....

from  https://www.cooksillustrated.com/taste_tests/1924-vanilla

"

The Surprising Results

For the most part, our tasters could not tell the difference between real and fake vanilla flavor. Dr. Bill Carroll, adjunct professor of chemistry at Indiana University, said he's not surprised. Vanillin that is synthesized in a lab is identical at the molecular level to vanillin derived from an orchid and thus will taste the same."

nolaegghead

Actually, I live to be a buzz kill... 

northGAcock

Florida Grillin Girl said:

I've been making it for years. I order extract grade vanilla beans in bulk
from Beanilla     
 
https://www.beanilla.com/madagascar-vanilla-beans-extract-grade-b?nosto=nosto-page-search1

Also order 24 4-oz. specialty bottles, custom labels and shrink
wrap the lids for safety ... and wha la, my Christmas giveaway every year
that everyone looks forward to.

I use Svedka vodka.

Last years batch~

How does one get on that list.....I have been good this year!

1911Man

My mother had been given some 'vanilla extract' from a former boss that was from Mexico... Complete crap compared with what I've made. Could very much tell the difference in smell and flavor given to what it's used in.

I ordered another 10 beans, that arrived yesterday (that's about $87 to get about 30 beans). Picked up another 750ml of vodka to add to the current amount. Split and scraped the new beans and added those to a larger mason jar (2 quart jar this time). Poured everything from the first batch into the larger jar and added some more vodka. Equal to about 3 pints volume now (so have vodka left over).

Current plan is to let it soak for 4-6 months then bottle. I have 4oz bottles already (bought when I made my first batch). I should have some left over after this batch too.

Also plan to put some of the split pods into those bottles to keep infusing while they sit. So the ones that sit for longer will get even deeper flavor levels.

I also looked at Ice Pik vodka due to a recommendation of another board... More $$ than I'm going to invest in this right now. Maybe the next time I make some. If I remember that is. Since I had solid results using Sky vodka last time, it's what I'm using this time.

Tjcoley

Try Jack Daniels instead of vodka for a even better more complex flavor. And if you want to take it to a whole new level, age it in a small charred oak barrel for a few weeks.  

When it’s done, strain out the vanilla beans and let them dry a couple of days. Put them in a sealed container of sugar in the raw for a couple weeks. The resulting vanilla sugar is great in coffee, for baking.......

1911Man

At about 11 days from when I started this batch (even with the addition of more a week ago now) it's coming along nicely. Color is deepening in the jar so now it's just a patience game. I have plenty of that.

We ran the numbers, and it looks like it will run about $2/ounce of extract produced. Considering how I found something that looks like it MIGHT be a close match (on Amazon) that was $35 for an 8oz bottle, we're doing well. Never mind how I prefer to make things when possible and it's a win-win.

Sometime over the next few months I'll figure out what I'm going to do to label the bottles for this batch. Last time I just used my label maker (Epson LabelWorks LW-400) with clear tape (white type). I'm thinking that I'll do something that's more like a bottle label this time.