DIY Corner: Making your own Vanilla Extract

Since we can't get enough of the heady intoxicating flavor and aroma of our fresh vanilla beans, we at Spice Traders are exploring new ways to use them! First on our list, make your own extract that ISN'T a byproduct of paper manufacturing, gasp! It's made from REAL vanilla beans! (the paper waste tidbit is true, sadly, look up vanillin on Wikipedia for more info) The beauty of this process is, once you've let your initial batch age at least 30 days, you can just keep adding the ingredients little by little as you use your extract, and you will always have enough! It's SIMPLE and wonderful! 

Homemade Vanilla Extract

You will need:

• glass jar or bottle with tight lid or cork, dark glass preferred to preserve the intense flavor
• alcohol, such as a cheap vodka. Just make sure it's at least 80 proof or 40% alcohol
• STM fresh vanilla beans

A good ratio to keep in mind is about 1-3 vanilla beans per 1 cup of alcohol. 

First, cut your beans lengthwise, but not in half,  exposing the seeds inside. Using the back of your knife, run it along the inside of the bean, scooping out the seeds. Save seeds in a "caviar" pile, that's what the seeds are called, honest! 

Next, chop the beans into smaller pieces, about 1-2 inch lengths, giving the beans more surface area with which to impart their rich goodness.

Now, put your "caviar" pile of vanilla seeds and the chopped bean pieces into your bottle or jar. Fill the jar to the top with alcohol, keeping in mind the ratio mentioned earlier. Shake your yummy alcohol/vanilla concoction, then store in a cool dark place, such as a lower kitchen cupboard. 

Now for the hardest part yet, the waiting! The longer it ages, the better, of course. Wait as long as you possibly can, 1-2 months and I will be very proud of you! Before you say you can totally make it, I'm also suggesting you shake up the bottle every week or so. It will be more on your mind and your temptation to use it will increase! You will notice the extract will get darker as it ages, and it's fun to watch it progress. Go ahead, take a whiff! Isn't it amazing? Tell me that ain't like the something-or-other they call vanilla extract at the grocery store! 

And as I promised earlier, this one bottle will last you for the rest of your culinary life! Just keep adding alcohol as you use it, and replace the vanilla beans as it seems to weaken, maybe once a year! Enjoy your very own homemade extract! These also make EXCELLENT gifts, they're easy, and you can't get real extract this affordable anywhere! Who doesn't like vanilla?