Making Homemade Vanilla Extract
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The beans I buy from Vanilla Saffron Imports in San Francisco are grade A because that's what they sell. Grade B is fine though from what I've read.
Why cut in small pieces? Splitting 100 beans is not my idea of fun, all Zen aside. I bunch 20-25 beans together and cut them all into small pieces with a large knife. Fast, easy, and it doesn't seem to make any difference in the taste.
Cutting into small pieces also gives the alcohol immediate access to the caviar and all sides of the bean.
Why cut in small pieces? Splitting 100 beans is not my idea of fun, all Zen aside. I bunch 20-25 beans together and cut them all into small pieces with a large knife. Fast, easy, and it doesn't seem to make any difference in the taste.
Cutting into small pieces also gives the alcohol immediate access to the caviar and all sides of the bean.
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What to do with the extracted beans when you get to the bottom of the bottle? Why not make vanilla paste! I'm sitting here after processing the extracted bean pieces and I smell like a vanilla factory! Ahhh, aromatherapy.
I have a Blendtec blender that will pulverize a small car. I don't know that this would work with your standard, Oster-type blender. Below is the process.
Here is what is left of the very first bottle that started this thread. You can see the cut up pieces of vanilla bean in the second picture.
After I emptied the contents of the bottle into the blender jar, there was quite a bit of vanilla "caviar" left in the bottle. I added a little more cheap vodka and got most of it. Progress seen below.
Then I ran the "Smoothie" cycle on the blender three times, adding a little more cheap vodka a couple times because the paste was too thick. After the first time I ran the cycle, I could still see some "grassy" filaments from the beans. By the time I finished the third cycle all I could see was paste. Here is the final result.
I needed to taste test the result, so I went into the refrigerator and filled a small bowl with plain yogurt, added some simple syrup for sweetness, then about a half teaspoon of the vanilla paste. IT WAS FANTASTIC! Way better than the vanilla yogurt you buy at the grocery store.
Thanks for looking!
I have a Blendtec blender that will pulverize a small car. I don't know that this would work with your standard, Oster-type blender. Below is the process.
Here is what is left of the very first bottle that started this thread. You can see the cut up pieces of vanilla bean in the second picture.
After I emptied the contents of the bottle into the blender jar, there was quite a bit of vanilla "caviar" left in the bottle. I added a little more cheap vodka and got most of it. Progress seen below.
Then I ran the "Smoothie" cycle on the blender three times, adding a little more cheap vodka a couple times because the paste was too thick. After the first time I ran the cycle, I could still see some "grassy" filaments from the beans. By the time I finished the third cycle all I could see was paste. Here is the final result.
I needed to taste test the result, so I went into the refrigerator and filled a small bowl with plain yogurt, added some simple syrup for sweetness, then about a half teaspoon of the vanilla paste. IT WAS FANTASTIC! Way better than the vanilla yogurt you buy at the grocery store.
Thanks for looking!
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exromenyer
Meat Mopper
My wife and I love vanilla. We didn't understand how incredible vanilla can be until we visited Mexico for the first time and tasted their pure and traditional vanillas. Since then we've been hooked on really good vanilla. We have inexpensive source for "traditional" vanilla, a type of vanilla that is made from the vanillan crystals that form when vanilla beans are fermented then dried in the sun. (Yes, there is an "n" on the end of the word). It has a very low alcohol content and can be used without baking off the alcohol. We use it in drinks, on ice cream, sweet rice, etc. We can get it locally for $7 per liter.
While researching vanilla extracts recently I learned how easy it is to make pure vanilla extract. I bought 1/4 lb of dried Madagascar vanilla beans from Amazon ($20) and a 750 ml bottle of decent quality but inexpensive 80 proof vodka ($10) from Total Wine and More. I chopped the beans into 1/2 inch pieces, poured about 2 ounces out of the bottle, then I put the chopped vanilla beans right in the bottle. I shook it up and took the first picture below.
The process involves shaking the bottle once daily and keeping it in a cabinet. The pure vanilla extract will be ready in a month to use in baking. Proponents say by 3 months you have an unbelievably complex and nectar-of-the-gods vanilla extract.
This morning was the 7th day of shaking. I opened the bottle to smell what I had and OMG it was the most amazing smelling vanilla! I can hardly wait three more weeks to try it in baking, probably something simple first like a sugar cookie where the vanilla can really shine.
The second picture is what it looked like after 7 days. I'll keep posting this as I take pictures and eventually use the vanilla.
Have a GREAT day!
Ray
Morning,
Not sure how I fell into this thread but I LOVE Vanilla as well. I'll take plain vanilla ice cream for example over ANYTHING else... a good one that is...
So I would like to make my own Vanilla extract. Must I use 1/4 lb of Vanilla Bean in a 750ML bottle of 70-80 proof vodka? I read to use just the plain clear vodka which I would but I'm just unsure how many beans is correct... Here is a link of a 10pk on Amazon. Is this correct? Am I on the right track?
Thank you in advance......
exromenyer
10 beans in a 750 ml bottle of vodka would be a very light extract, even below standard minimums (See below). You could your your 10 beans with 16 oz of vodka to get a minimum requirement for vanilla extract.
Note: A "fold" is the USDA minimum requirement of 13.35 oz of vanilla beans per gallon of extract. Here is the calculations for my folds based up 24 oz of vodka per 750 ML bottle (you have to pour some if the vodka off into a Black Russian cocktail to make room for the beans).
Single Fold: 15.625 beans per 24 ounces. 1 lb of beans = 6 bottles plus 9 oz
1.28 Fold: 20 beans per 24 ounces. 1 lb of beans = 5 bottles.
1.6 Fold: 25 beans per 24 ounces. 1 lb of beans = 4 bottles.
There is absolutely nothing better than homemade vanilla. The beans from Amazon are good. I used them to make my initial batch. The beans I used on my second batch were from Saffron Imports out of San Francisco and the results were WAY better. 1/8 lb of Tahitian vanilla beans from Saffron Imports is the same price as above, but you pay for shipping. Either way, you'll be happy.
exromenyer
Meat Mopper
Ray,
Thanks for the reply and guidance. I haven't bought anything yet so I'm just trying to get my numbers / calculations down so when I pull the trigger I get it right.
If I follow you, the 24ozs is just shy of 750ML which you'll probably get there when you pour the head out to make room for the Vanilla beans, right?
If I am reading your directions it's like 20 beans for 24 ozs or 750ML bottle of Vodka (what I will use)?
Are you instructions saying to me, If I bought a 1lb bundle of beans I could make 5 bottles....
I'm thinking of ordering through the Saffron site the Tahitian Beans to try the, I can't imagine they are NOT good!!! then I'll pick up some clear inexpensive vodka and be on my way.
You also mentioned when you got down to the bottom you made a paste.... In baking and cooking a lot here in our house, we use a good bit of vanilla extract (which is AWFUL store bought btw) so I assume as it lessens you can recharge it like many do... add more beans and vodka.... then at some point you'll need to start over and then you can make your paste I guess...
Thanks again,
Tony
Hey Tony, let me answer your questions.
1. If I follow you, the 24ozs is just shy of 750ML which you'll probably get there when you pour the head out to make room for the Vanilla beans, right? Correct
2. If I am reading your directions it's like 20 beans for 24 ozs or 750ML bottle of Vodka (what I will use)? Correct. That will give you a little stronger extract than standard. I use 24 to 25 beans per 750ml bottle, but that's when beans were a LOT cheaper. I'd use 16-20 beans this time around.
3. Are you instructions saying to me, If I bought a 1lb bundle of beans I could make 5 bottles? You could make 4, 5, or 6 750 ml bottles. Four bottles would be the strongest at at 1.6 fold. Five bottles would be a 1.28 fold. Six bottles would be a Single fold, which is what is sold in the stores, only better. The last beans I bought from Saffron Imports had extract ready to use in a month, but was phenomenal by 3 months. It just gets better with age and shaking it occasionally.
4. I'm thinking of ordering through the Saffron site the Tahitian Beans to try the, I can't imagine they are NOT good!!! then I'll pick up some clear inexpensive vodka and be on my way. Yep, get the cheapest vodka you can. I use American Standard, which is something like $5 a 750 ml bottle. We had friends with family property in Tahiti and they would bring us beans on occasion after visiting home. This was before I started making extract, but I'd use the beans they'd bring in ice cream and yogurt. They were good!
5. You also mentioned when you got down to the bottom you made a paste.... In baking and cooking a lot here in our house, we use a good bit of vanilla extract (which is AWFUL store bought btw) so I assume as it lessens you can recharge it like many do... add more beans and vodka.... then at some point you'll need to start over and then you can make your paste I guess... Correct. Personally, when I get to the bottom of a bottle, that's when I make the paste. We use it in baking to supplement the extract. It is good all by itself, but you can never have enough vanilla in your baking!
Happy Extracting!
Ray
1. If I follow you, the 24ozs is just shy of 750ML which you'll probably get there when you pour the head out to make room for the Vanilla beans, right? Correct
2. If I am reading your directions it's like 20 beans for 24 ozs or 750ML bottle of Vodka (what I will use)? Correct. That will give you a little stronger extract than standard. I use 24 to 25 beans per 750ml bottle, but that's when beans were a LOT cheaper. I'd use 16-20 beans this time around.
3. Are you instructions saying to me, If I bought a 1lb bundle of beans I could make 5 bottles? You could make 4, 5, or 6 750 ml bottles. Four bottles would be the strongest at at 1.6 fold. Five bottles would be a 1.28 fold. Six bottles would be a Single fold, which is what is sold in the stores, only better. The last beans I bought from Saffron Imports had extract ready to use in a month, but was phenomenal by 3 months. It just gets better with age and shaking it occasionally.
4. I'm thinking of ordering through the Saffron site the Tahitian Beans to try the, I can't imagine they are NOT good!!! then I'll pick up some clear inexpensive vodka and be on my way. Yep, get the cheapest vodka you can. I use American Standard, which is something like $5 a 750 ml bottle. We had friends with family property in Tahiti and they would bring us beans on occasion after visiting home. This was before I started making extract, but I'd use the beans they'd bring in ice cream and yogurt. They were good!
5. You also mentioned when you got down to the bottom you made a paste.... In baking and cooking a lot here in our house, we use a good bit of vanilla extract (which is AWFUL store bought btw) so I assume as it lessens you can recharge it like many do... add more beans and vodka.... then at some point you'll need to start over and then you can make your paste I guess... Correct. Personally, when I get to the bottom of a bottle, that's when I make the paste. We use it in baking to supplement the extract. It is good all by itself, but you can never have enough vanilla in your baking!
Happy Extracting!
Ray
exromenyer
Meat Mopper
Ray,
Thank you so much for breaking it down. It might have been awhile and you might not recall but do you remember how many beans cam in the 1/8 and 1/4 lb bundle from saffron.com? If not, all good....I would like to get just enough to do a 750ml bottle to start and then give my parents some once it melds for awhile.....
Thanks, Tony
Thank you so much for breaking it down. It might have been awhile and you might not recall but do you remember how many beans cam in the 1/8 and 1/4 lb bundle from saffron.com? If not, all good....I would like to get just enough to do a 750ml bottle to start and then give my parents some once it melds for awhile.....
Thanks, Tony
Rings Я Us
Smoking Guru
If I used more than 2 oz of vanilla a year I would buy something better than the usual bottle of McCormick brand.
Or maybe not.. probably buy vanilla bean in tiny quantities and McCormick 2 oz bottles .. lol
Or maybe not.. probably buy vanilla bean in tiny quantities and McCormick 2 oz bottles .. lol
A pound of Mexican beans was about 100, maybe a few more. So 25 in a 1/4 pound. Tahitian may be different, but that's what I'd order.
exromenyer
Meat Mopper
Well the holidays for the most part are over so as I have caught up on life, another project to try. I'm confident that this will turn out well and if REALLY good I might have a couple of Christmas gifts for 2018 for a few people that make the list...
I purchased 1/4 lb. of the Tahitian beans from www.saffron.com and they came well packed and you could smell them through the USPS cardboard envelope which was surprising because I thought they had a hole in them. Further investigation and they were vacuum sealed tight, no leaks just had a STRONG smell of vanilla... Heavenly to say the least. In total there were 38 beans in the 1/4 lb. vacuum sealed bag. The gift I received was a series of heavy duty measuring spoons which were really cool... Each one is small and had a measuring name like, Drop, Smidgen, Pinch, Dash etc.....
I cut the beans up like Ray suggested, scraped every flake I could into the bottle. For me, it was 19 beans per bottle. Yes I would have liked 20+ but I wanted to start two bottles so this was as good as I could get. I'm confident it will be good. I bought this 80% proof Vodka at our local ABC Spirits store for like $5.95 a bottle. I pealed the top neck label off and left the front one so I could see better. I used a funnel and stuffed the beans down into the bottle. Turned it upside down to stir it, sealed it and they are ready to go.
I will provide more pics as the process matures, this is day 1!!!!!
I purchased 1/4 lb. of the Tahitian beans from www.saffron.com and they came well packed and you could smell them through the USPS cardboard envelope which was surprising because I thought they had a hole in them. Further investigation and they were vacuum sealed tight, no leaks just had a STRONG smell of vanilla... Heavenly to say the least. In total there were 38 beans in the 1/4 lb. vacuum sealed bag. The gift I received was a series of heavy duty measuring spoons which were really cool... Each one is small and had a measuring name like, Drop, Smidgen, Pinch, Dash etc.....
I cut the beans up like Ray suggested, scraped every flake I could into the bottle. For me, it was 19 beans per bottle. Yes I would have liked 20+ but I wanted to start two bottles so this was as good as I could get. I'm confident it will be good. I bought this 80% proof Vodka at our local ABC Spirits store for like $5.95 a bottle. I pealed the top neck label off and left the front one so I could see better. I used a funnel and stuffed the beans down into the bottle. Turned it upside down to stir it, sealed it and they are ready to go.
I will provide more pics as the process matures, this is day 1!!!!!
Great start, exromenyer! Looking forward to the changes in the next few weeks. It was also good to know how many beans came in the 1/4 package. Thanks for sharing.
exromenyer
Meat Mopper
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I only use pure Mexican Vanilla. I am too lazy to make my own though...no patience to wait to use it either. :(
Has anyone tried running the cut vanilla beans and the vodka through a blender (like a Blendtec) at the start? I would think the smaller "smoothie" particles would give the maximum possible extraction in the shortest period of time. It should still filter out in a coffee filter and you have those left over specks to add to other things at the end.
I've not tried this, but when I saw the post about taking the leftovers and running them through a Blendtec, I wondered why not go that way from the start.
I've not tried this, but when I saw the post about taking the leftovers and running them through a Blendtec, I wondered why not go that way from the start.
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