I’ve been saying I wanted to make my own vanilla extract for nearly a year. Yesterday I went to my favorite foodie haven at the How To Cook store and bought 6 really fresh vanilla beans. I’m told that vanilla grows locally but I suspect locally means anywhere in Queensland – probably way up at the top end. I’ll have to find out where it’s grown. I’d love to visit.
I suppose it’s not going to be like Mexican or Madagascan vanilla but the beans smelled divine to me as I gently cut each one and scraped their seedy bits into a big jar of plain vodka. Once I finished the scraping, I cut the beans in half and popped them in the jar. I put the top on and shook it to loosen up the seeds and the beans to release all their vanilla.
This is a photo of day one. I only have to wait six more weeks and then I’ll post another photo and the tasting results. I can’t wait. I finished some really wonderful Mexican vanilla recently and all I’ve had is the grocery store stuff and that’s never good enough for me. Have you made your own vanilla? It certainly doesn’t take a culinary degree to add beans to vodka. heh… I kept t hinking there must be something else I should do but everything I read said cut beans, scrape seeds, place in vodka, shake, place in the dark.
I’ve tucked the jar in my desk drawer so it will stay relatively cool and dark. I have the air conditioner on most of the time in here. (it IS summer down under)
You’ll have to come over for a taste so by the time you make all your plans, the vanilla will be ready to use.
- Vodka
- Enough soft supple vanilla beans to have 5 beans per cup of vodka
- You can chop the beans, split the beans or scrape the beans and toss in the vodka.
- Shake the bottle a couple of times a day during the first couple of weeks
- You can use it in about 6-8 weeks but it's much better if you let it age for 6 months or more.
- Perfect for gift giving and so easy to make.
I haven’t been here too long, but I very much like what I’ve seen so far, so I’ll be back time and again… Thank you for your visits and comments, that is so nice of you!
That is so cool! Never knew it could be so easy, and I bet it will be better than Madagascan because you did it yourself. Love and pride always taste better than store bought. 😉 Look forward to seeing how it turns out…
Making my own was so rewarding and I love using it too! 😀 You’ll love it!
Homemade extract is a great idea! I do not want to even think about how much I have spent on the extract through the years. You are so lucky to have the beans grown locally. I will need to look into the cost of the beans vs cost of extract-but if 6 can give you as much as in the jar, I think homemade would be cheaper. Glad you finally took the plunge to make this.
I can’t wait to hear your results! I have been seeing this and it just seems amazing to me! Oh yum. I bet it smells great 🙂
I opened the jar today to get a whiff. It’s getting darker and smells really vanilla-ey. I can’t wait.
Tina, the beans were REALLY long and really plump and full of seeds. If I had used ordinary ones from the grocery store I would have needed twice the amount. The ones I got were 3 beans for $6.99 so I got all that extract for under $15. PLUS, I feel like a kitchen maven with a hoard of vanilla extract. 🙂
Thanks Lorraine, you’re my hero in the kitchen and in the restaurants!
I love this idea and I am definitely going to try this! I try to make as many things as I can from scratch, but I never thought about making vanilla extract, thanks for the great idea!
I have two-1liter bottles of homemade vanilla at home. I can’t believe I used to buy fake supermarket vanilla stuff ughhhh! You will love it, when I’m baking I take a drop of vanilla and rub it on my wrists. Magical!
This is on my list to do as well. Not only that it is inexpensive, it makes stunning gifts as well! I can’t wait to see what you end up with! 🙂
I love making homemade vanilla! I never buy it anymore.
very cool bet it will taste divine
Vodka? What tha? Can’t wait to see the results!!!
I could sure use some homemade vanilla. I actually just added it to my grocery list. Think I might want to look into making my own. I wonder how vanilla paste would be as an addition? I love seeing the black seeds in my baked goods.
I still haven’t done extract, just vodka. Can’t wait to see how this turns out.
I had no idea it was so simple to make… the hard part, for those impatient folks like me, is to wait 6 weeks! (SIGH)
I look forward to your tasting report…
Once I started making my own vanilla, I never turned back. You’re right…it is SO EASY! And really, once it is established, you can keep topping off the beans with more vodka, rum, or bourbon and you never run out. I keep two jars, that way, when I finish…or almost finish…one, I can top it off, stick it in the back of the cupboard and use the other one. And then I repeat the process. Yours looks lovely already! 🙂
I’ve been meaning to do this! I just need some quality rum!
Dear Maureen, Making your own vanilla!! I am impressed. I didn’t know that all you had to do was put the beans in Vodka. Thank you for the invitation. Sounds like fun. It is cold here in NY. Blessings my dear. Your friend, Catherine xo
I made my own vanilla last year and made a bunch for Xmas presents this year! It’s SO much better than anything you can find in stores. I am so jealous that you can find it somewhat local! I would love to see vanilla beans before being picked/cured or whatever the process is 😉 Next time you make a batch try some bourbon or other dark liquor – I used Crown Royal – it’s fantastic!
OMG Erin.. Crown Royal?? My eyes are rolling back into my head.
Yummy Chunklet, you should really try this. Rum, vodka or really any spirit you like. Erin at BigFatBaker used Crown Royal!
Heather, I had no idea it was this simple to make. I’ll never buy it again.
Karriann, the seeds go right into this jar. I cut the beans and scraped them so there will be little beanies in the extract. I’ll strain the extract but with a sieve with large enough holes for the seeds to go through. Gotta have me some o them seeds!
Yudith, I’m on the lookout for bottles so I can make some for next Christmas. I did see a place where I could buy over 600 of them. I don’t know that many people. 🙂
I spend an ABSURD amount of money on good vanilla extract so this is totally something I need to do! Thanks for the inspiration!
what a cool idea! I can’t wait to hear how it turns out
Maureen, I just won a bottle of homemade vanilla extract from (blogging friends) in New Mexico. They packaged their in the cutest little bottles, made labels, and gave them away for x-mas. I can’t use mine until March. I’m waiting impatiently – lol! Can’t wait to see your finished product. What’s the first recipe you’re going to make with it??
You’ll love it! Homemade vanilla is awesome. I just keep adding more beans and topping it off with more vodka. I have mine for years. Looking forward to seeing what you make with it.
How fun to be making a homemade vanilla extract!
This has been on my list to make forever!!! Yours looks amazing already, can’t wait to hear how it turns out!
Oh I love making my own vanilla extract but then I discovered how to make vanilla powder, by accident at home, using the whole pod so that’s what I do now! Its awesome to see how things are made, right? Hope you’re better and looking forward to a great 2012
Okay, I think we need to know how you make vanilla powder. Do you have a post about it? Please say yes! I’m dying to know!
My mom makes awesome homemade vanilla extract. Very cool that you are making your own!
I heard or read someone made homemade vanilla. My first reaction was if it’s cheaper to make. Vanilla extract is pretty expensive, but I’m not sure if you make homemade if that costs about the same. What are you going to make with this? I’m excited to see, but 6 more weeks! Now we have to be very patient. 🙂 Looking forward to it!
After I made my limoncello, I was really tempted to make my own vanilla extract but the only vodka I had was a pricey little bottle of Smirnoff and I didn’t want to use it up on the vanilla extract.
On the other hand, I have an unopened bottle of Hiram Walker Special Old Rye Whiskey in my cupboard. I’m guessing it was a present to my dad … he was not a rye drinker. I also have 9 GIANT vanilla pods from Costco. What do you think?