Vanilla extract.

Newsgroups: alt.folklore.herbs
Subject: Re: help on making own vanilla extract
From: tc.ilhawaii.net (Robert Barrett)
Date: 14 Mar 1995 14:14:35 -1000

Brian J Tarbox (btarbox.world.std.com) wrote:
: If anyone has information on how to make vanilla extract I'd appreciate it, thanks.

If you have a dried and cured bean put it in a bottle of Everclear or Vodka. Try the pint size or smaller, per bean. It takes a few weeks, and will turn the solution brown. Good luck.

From: Marylin.Kraker.bbs.c4systm.com (Marylin Kraker)

> If anyone has information on how to make vanilla extract I'd appreciate it, thanks.

Hi,

Put a cut-up vanilla bean in a bottle and fill with vodka. Let sit a couple of weeks, shaking occasionally.

A good bottle to use is one that originally held vanilla extract.

Health,

Marylin

From: mlynch.mitre.org (mike lynch)

> If you have a dried and cured bean put it in a bottle of Everclear or Vodka. Try the pint size or smaller, per bean. It takes a few weeks, and will turn the solution brown. Good luck.

Fresh vanilla bean is better. Also while Everclear (pure grain alchohol) makes the best extracting medium, it should be diluted 50% with water once you have done the tincturing. Cut the bean into small pieces (to increase the surface area) and shake the mixture every day or two. 100 proof vodka also works fine but takes a little bit longer. The test is when it no longer seems to get any darker and smells wonderful. You will always get some sort of vanilla extract. Which one makes the 'best' is a variable depending on freshness, amount, strength of alchohol,size of pieces, and length of tincturing. Experiment! Even your almost good ones will make nice holiday presents if presented in a pretty bottle. Leave a section of bean in the bottle.

From: "A.K.Cosgrove" <alkc.unccvm.uncc.edu>

Hi Brian,

I have made my own vanilla for years. I simply take a pint of vodka (a friend prefers brandy) and drop in 2 vanilla beans I've cut into 2-3 inch pieces. Cap and keep in a dark place for at least 2-3 weeks, shaking every other day or so. The vodka will take on a golden color, and the flavor will become stronger with age. It doesn't have that wonderful vanilla scent (at least, not as powerfully as the store bought stuff) but the flavor is *so* much better. I've also heard of adding sugar to the bottle, but don't really see a need for it. As you use the vanilla, replace the lost liquid with more vodka. The beans will flavor several full bottles of liquid. Shake the bottle before you pour out the needed amount. You'll see little brown flecks (seeds). These are harmless, and will add that 'natural vanilla' look to milkshakes and the like. I'm somehwat addicted to the vanilla flavor; I always double the amount the recipe calls for. :-)

Good luck,
Alicia