Make
Your Own Vanilla Extract
by Sandy Shields
HomeMade Vanilla Extract tastes much better than store-bought,
and it is very easy to make at home.
I
have heard that the imitation vanilla that is sold in our
supermarkets is nothing more than a by-product from petroleum
companies. Instead of being disposed of, it is sold to the
food industry for consumption. I do not know if this is
true, but it just gives me one more reason to make my own.
Making
real vanilla is fun and easy. The only ingredients needed
are vanilla beans and alcohol. I have several recipes for
making vanilla, and each one calls for a different type
of alcohol, and varying amounts of vanilla bean.
For
a strong extract, use a high proof of alcohol and scrape
the seeds from the bean. For a weaker extract, use a lesser
proof of alcohol and soak beans intact.
Here are a three different methods for making your extract:
1.
Place one vanilla bean into a pint of vodka. Shake daily
for two weeks.
*Strain if desired, and bottle for storage.
2.
Scrape the seeds from three vanilla beans and place them
into a bottle of dark rum. Place the pods in the rum as
well. Let sit for three weeks, shaking occasionally.
*Strain if desired, and bottle for storage.
3.
Place 1/2 cup vodka or white tequila into small saucepan,
and heat until it smokes but isn't boiling. Break 2 vanilla
beans into pieces and place into bottle or jar. Pour the
alcohol into the bottle and cover tightly. Let sit for a
week, shaking frequently.
*Strain if desired, and bottle for storage.
*Use
a very fine strainer, coffee filter, or paper towel to strain.
HINT:To
save money, you can grow your own vanilla orchids and collect
the seed pods, or reuse the vanilla bean(s) for another
batch of extract.
