How is vanilla made?

Vanilla extract is made by soaking vanilla beans in a mixture of water and ethyl alcohol ( 1 ). The extract gets its signature vanilla flavor from a molecule called vanillin found in vanilla beans ( 1 , 2). Standards for pure vanilla extract vary by country.

How do you make vanilla from scratch?

You only need 2 ingredients for homemade vanilla extract: vanilla beans and vodka. Let the vanilla beans infuse the vodka for as little as 8 weeks, but for optimal flavor, wait at least 6-12 months before using. Homemade vanilla is more cost efficient than store-bought options. You can try homemade vanilla sugar too.

What is used to make vanilla?

Castoreum is a chemical compound that mostly comes from a beaver’s castor sacs, which are located between the pelvis and the base of the tail. Because of its close proximity to the anal glands, castoreum is often a combination of castor gland secretions, anal gland secretions, and urine.

What alcohol is best for making vanilla extract?

Vodka
The FDA dictates that a pure vanilla extract needs to be at least 70 proof or 35% alcohol, and this makes Vodka an ideal choice for vanilla extraction. The biggest advantage of using Vodka is that it is odorless and tasteless, and it allows the full flavor of the vanilla to center stage.

Can you use 100 proof vodka to make vanilla?

What is the best alcohol to make vanilla extract? Vodka is an easy and simple way to make vanilla extract at home, but you can also use bourbon or rum. Either way, make sure the alcohol you use is at least 80-proof (100 proof is even better).

How long does homemade vanilla last?

When stored properly, vanilla extract will keep indefinitely, but using it within five years will allow for best flavor and aroma. Do not refrigerate or freeze, even after opening.

Can you reuse vanilla beans after making extract?

If you’ve got a vanilla bean that you’ve split and scraped the seeds out of for a baking project, you can totally breathe new life into that bean by throwing it into a batch of vanilla extract. Beans you’ve already used in a batch of extract can be reused in the next batch.

Is it cheaper to make your own vanilla extract?

Not only is it cheaper, but the flavor is worlds apart from your average extract. Making your own vanilla extract is one of the easiest things you can do, and it can save you loads of money verses the stuff sold in stores.

How many vanilla beans are in a fifth of vodka?

A standard 750 mL bottle of vodka has about 3 cups of alcohol, so you’d use 15-20 vanilla beans.

How many times can you reuse vanilla beans when making vanilla extract?

Homemade vanilla beans are reusable for at least one new batch. Keep in mind that beans lose some of their flavors in every batch of extract.

What are the best vanilla beans for making vanilla extract?

Which Vanilla Beans are Best for Making Vanilla Extract? Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans are the most popular and what I use by far the most. Another option is Tahitian vanilla beans. A third option is Mexican vanilla beans.

Can you cut vanilla beans in half?

Use a sharp knife (we recommend a paring knife) and slice the vanilla bean down the middle, lengthwise, creating two long halves. Next, take the BACK side of the knife and run it down the length of each split “pod” to collect “the seeds.”

What do you do with vanilla beans after extracting?

Here are five ways to repurpose leftover vanilla bean pods.
  1. Vanilla Sugar & Salt. The most common use for spent beans is to dry them and bury them in a jar of sugar. …
  2. Pierced & Poached Fruit. Pods—dried, or still fresh—are great for poaching fruit. …
  3. Homemade Extract. …
  4. Flavored Coffee & Tea. …
  5. Bath Salts. …
  6. Vanilla Oil. …
  7. 24 Comments.

Is homemade vanilla extract lighter in color?

Light color

Don’t worry; it’s common for homemade vanilla extract to be lighter and more transparent than what you might find in the store, especially if you’re used to imitation vanilla extract (gasp!).

What do you do with vanilla beans after making extract?

After soaking in a hot or cold infusion, those brittle beans will soften right up, at which point they can be split and scraped so the seeds won’t go to waste. Dried-out unused pods that haven’t been split can be ground up with coffee beans or for vanilla powder, just like split ones.

Can you eat vanilla beans?

You can either throw the whole vanilla bean, once it is cut, into the recipe or you can just use the scraped seeds and save the pod for another use later. The most efficient way to get the flavor from the vanilla is to add it to something warm, which helps to disperse the seeds and the oils.

How long do vanilla beans keep?

Vanilla beans have a shelf life of up to two years if you store them properly, but you should plan to use them within eight months for the best flavor and freshness. Prioritize keeping your vanilla beans in an airtight container in a cool, dry place at room temperature.

How do you dry vanilla beans?

Bake vanilla beans in a 150 degree F oven on a parchment lined baking sheet for about an hour to an hour and a half. You want them to get nice and dried out but not burnt. They will still be pliable when you take them out of the oven, but will become brittle as they cool.

What is the ratio of vanilla bean to vanilla extract?

If you need to swap one vanilla flavoring for another, we’ve found that 1/2 vanilla bean is the same as 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste.

Why vanilla beans are so expensive?

One reason vanilla has gotten so expensive is, it’s hard to grow. Vanilla vines take two to four years to fully mature, and their flowers only bloom for one day of the year. In order for the plants to produce beans, they have to be pollinated that day.

Is vanilla bean poisonous?

The bean can be used to make flavoring very similar to vanilla. Sadly the concoction is dreadfully toxic and can cause liver damage and is a known carcinogen. Coumarin is used extensively in synthetic vanillas manufactured in Mexico.

Is real vanilla good for you?

It’s good for your heart – research has shown that vanilla can reduce cholesterol levels. This is very important for those who are at high risk of heart attacks and strokes, with lower cholesterol helping to prevent inflammation of the arteries and blood clots.