Make Your Own Vanilla Extract

Making your own vanilla extract is both (relatively) inexpensive and easy. Why pay exorbitant prices for low quality extract that tastes as if it were made with rubbing alcohol when you can make your own delicious extract with the ingredients of your chosing?

Here is what you need:

Vodka
Vanilla Beans

About the beans:

A few months ago, I was inspired to make my own ice cream (stay tuned for the recipe) using some raw dairy that I had...ummm...acquired. I conducted an exhaustive search all over town only to find a single, dry, shriveled, pathetic vanilla bean shoved into a spice jar for $8.00. I knew there had to be a better way. My internet search lead me to Amadeus, where I split the Super Vanilla Bean triple pack with a friend. That's 3/4lb of vanilla beans for $40.00! I wrote the company to ask if the beans were fair trade, and although they are not a certified "Fair Trade" company, the president of Amadeus Vanilla Beans responded with a more than sufficient answer. In short, they negotiate prices directly with co-ops of farmers and family owned farms and businesses without paying outrageous "inspection fees" to "Fair Market" organizations that, in turn, exploit the farmers. Amadeus vanilla beans are fair, plump, moist, and delicious!



About the vodka:

My vodka palate is traumatized and useless from swiping one too many bottles of vodka from my parent's rarely used liquor collection in high school. A friend recommended Grey Goose and also confided that the Kirkland (Costco) brand of vodka is very similar and half the price.

The Procedure:

- Add 8 vanilla beans (split down the center with the beans exposed) to 1 quart of Vodka
- Shake well
- Store in a cool, dark place and shake several times a week for 4-6 weeks
- Store at room temp. According to Amadeus, it ages like fine wine;)

I used the entire 1.75L bottle of vodka and scaled up the number of beans. In turn, I should have enough homemade vanilla extract to last me the rest of my life.

This batch of extract is almost 6 weeks old