As some of you may know, I’m in the process of making my own vanilla extract. This was something new for me, so I’ve been posting as I go along. I’m trying out a recipe of two sliced vanilla beans and 3/4 cup of vodka that is supposed to set for 3 to 4 weeks. I’m now at the four week mark and its looking good! My batch has a nice brown color and a rich vanilla aroma. I decided to call this first batch complete.
I used it in a recipe for the first time this weekend (in the granola bars I baked) and everything tasted just as it should. I guess it’s good that I could not taste anything noticeably different, although I was hoping just a little bit that they would taste sooo much better. Maybe my taste buds are just not that discerning.
BUT – To make this a cost saver, I’m really hoping to get another batch out of the same vanilla beans. My two vanilla beans cost $8.99 so the more mileage I can get out of them the happier I’ll be. I’ve saved my beans in a different jar and when my current batch of extract is getting low, I’m going to start brewing another. If another batch or two can be brewed out of the same vanilla beans, then I’ll consider the experiment a success!
Update: If you’re having a hard time finding vanilla beans in a store near you, you can always order them from Amazon. Here’s a link to a 16 pack size of vanilla beans, and there are larger size packs available to: Premium Bourbon-Madagascar Vanilla Beans – 16 beans
Here’s the links to the previous posts if you’d like to read more:
The Vanilla Extract Experiment
The Vanilla Extract Experiment – First Follow Up
You can get the best deal on vanilla beans at vanilla products usa.com. No spaces, of course, but a quick google search will give you the link. I got about 200 beans for less than $30. There are different types of vanilla beans, they’ll tell you all about it. Makes great presents, too. (I don’t work for them, I just like their products!)
Sometimes you can find them in the grocery store in the spice section. The McCormick brand of spices usually has them. You can also order them off Amazon which might be a little bit cheaper because you get more beans for the money,however you do have to factor in shipping. I have added an Amazon link to the post above if you want to check it out.
Sometimes you can find them in the grocery store in the spice section. The McCormick brand of spices usually has them. You can also order them off Amazon which might be a little bit cheaper because you get more beans for the money,however you do have to factor in shipping. I have added an Amazon link to the post above if you want to check it out.
/Where does one buy vanilla beans???
/Where does one buy vanilla beans???
I have always wondered about making my own vanilla. It's nice to see someone doing it so I can watch the results.