Vanilla extract

We like vanilla. It usually goes in our pancake batter, oatmeal, and French toast mixture in addition to a lot of baked items. If you bought any in the last couple of years you noticed the price is thru the roof. Costco sells a 16 ounce bottle for $30! Did some research and found the extract is always made with at least 35% alcohol. Decided to kick it up a notch with the flavor profile so purchased some beans on ebay and went to town. The bourbon is supposed to add a caramel taste with other good flavors. The alcohol disappears during the cooking process. Slice the beans and scrape out the seeds and mix both with the bourbon and wait at least 2 months. Should make a cool gift for your "foodie" friends as well.

https://i.imgur.com/EhiwF3A.jpg?2
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I would think Everclear would be a better choice for extracting the vanilla. Jim Beam has its own particular taste. I wonder how the two different tastes will turn out.

But, let us know how it turns out.

Been doing this for years, tastes better the longer you soak it. Anyone interested in having homemade vanilla or giving ti as gifts would do well to look up how many beans can be bought for not much $ compared to buying them one or two at a time in the supermarket spice section ($6-$12) or buying ready-made extract (as noted above and known by most).
You can make it at home for pennies if you buy in bulk, and I have kept cured vanilla beans for a decade in a mason jar without issue. Smells amazing too.
Bulldogger

I used vodka to make some worked very well. Does take several months tho.

That Jim Beam is about as smooth as a hoof rasp.

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Originally Posted by Idaho Mule

That Jim Beam is about as smooth as a hoof rasp.

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Yup. Use Jack Daniels!


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Originally Posted by Hickory

I would think Everclear would be a better choice for extracting the vanilla. Jim Beam has its own particular taste. I wonder how the two different tastes will turn out.

But, let us know how it turns out.

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And waste good moonshine? Sacrilege!


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I've never made an extract, but when I have made a digestif or other type of liqueur, I like to use the cheapest triple distilled Vodka available, because I don't want any other flavors influencing the key ingredient/s. I would think the same would be true for vanilla extract...unless the target flavor you seek, is a blend of vanilla and whiskey?

She gets it from houston(mexico) for ~ 12$ a quart.

cheap vodka works well.

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Originally Posted by JonB_in_Glencoe

I would think the same would be true for vanilla extract...unless the target flavor you seek, is a blend of vanilla and whiskey?

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Exactly, we wanted the vanilla with the essence of the caramel and other tastes you sometimes find in bourbon. Read post #1 again.
Doesn’t matter if it’s good bourbon, we aren’t going to drink it.

I find that inexpensive dark rum (bottom shelf, plastic 1L bottle kind) works fine. As noted you'd never drink a shot of it (never twice anyway) but the hint of molasses from the dark rum does lend something I find.
BDGR

Several years ago a young member here lived close to the border with Mexico. He did a group but of Mexican vanilla. I ordered 6 liter bottles and still have some left it was like 3.50 a bottle and could fit 6 in a large flat rate box. Great stuff. This has 35% alcohol. Attachment 251250

Bulldogger,
Almost tried rum as we had a bottle just taking up shelf space. Perhaps next time.

2 X Danncy Dark Pure Mexican Vanilla Extract From Mexico 33oz Each 2 Plastic Bottle Lot Sealed $14.85 ($7.43 / Item)

https://www.amazon.com/Danncy-Mexica...y%2C222&sr=1-4

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Originally Posted by Conditor22

2 X Danncy Dark Pure Mexican Vanilla Extract From Mexico 33oz Each 2 Plastic Bottle Lot Sealed $14.85 ($7.43 / Item)

https://www.amazon.com/Danncy-Mexica...y%2C222&sr=1-4

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"In the United States, in order for a vanilla extract to be called pure, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires that the solution contains a minimum of 35% alcohol and 100 g of vanilla beans per litre (13.35 ounces per gallon)."

If you want to buy vanilla extract made with water be my guest.

we get our's from a Mennonite group that does mission work in Haiti, they all bring back the max allowed when they return to the u.s. and sell it in a little Amish store in Kansas

Yes it is expensive but it is very intensely flavored and you use half what most recipes call for. https://www.thespicehouse.com/produc...anilla-extract same family as Penzey's but these guys are non political and don't hate on conservatives.

I find it's best with a decent unflavored Vodka. If your Costco sells liquors use theirs. Get good beans in the late spring so you have this years harvest. I would rank them with Madascar Bourbon first, Ugandan, Tahitian next and Mexican last.
Split the beans and leave the seeds in place in a tight lidded glass container and cover with vodka for 4-5 months. Shake it once a month if you remember. Look for darkening of the liquid. Pull the beans and strain the remainder putting it again in glass not plastic. A resealable beer bottle works great. https://www.homebrewing.org/16-oz-Am...iABEgKaBPD_BwE
Put the beans and strained seeds in a old mason jar and fill with sugar. You then have vanilla sugar for baking.