Vanilla Extract - from Shayla

[mel81q]

Thanks JudyDawn- you are always the first to answer my questions - much appreciated!!!

[Nay-nay]

Yeah - I just slit them open, no scraping but the little bits do eventually come out on their own. I finished my first bottle and put same beans in the next bottle - wonder how many times I could do that???

[CreamPuff63]

just randomly pondering...if 1/4 tspn vanilla bean paste = 1 vanilla pod --- would you be able to put say 1tblspn paste into a vodka bottle and end up with the same thing after 6 weeks?

[judydawn]

Mmm, I wonder  I'm sure there is someone on here who will know the answer to that one CP63.

[Chelsea (Thermie Groupie)]

Is vanilla bean paste just made from scraped vanilla pods?  If so I can't see why that wouldn't work CP63. 

[judydawn]

Andi put her method of making vanilla bean paste here on this thread (page 4) - a very complicated and long process.  She may have the wheres or whyfores of whether you could just add some bought paste to alcohol to make the extract - it is a costly thing to try if you are not sure if it would work. Perhaps if you tried to make a glassful rather than a bottleful to start with may be the way to experiment.

[Chelsea (Thermie Groupie)]

It is expensive.  Perhaps it would be less expensive to use pods anyway?? 

[CreamPuff63]

i think it may turn out cheaper with the paste somehow if it worked. the paste costs about $11 for a jar, and you might not need a tblspn it might be less. do you think 1 tspn or even 1.5 tspn in a bottle of vodka (possibly 750 ml)? it would still work out cheaper than buying a small bottle of the extract. I bought a 200ml extract bottle a while back and it was approx $10 (feedback welcome  )

[andiesenji]

You can use the paste and it will give you something of an "instant" vanilla extract but will not be as strong as after it has "infused" for a few weeks.

I always have a couple of jars of vanilla extract infusing, starting at staggered dates, as I give it as holiday gifts, and in housewarming baskets for new brides and etc.

It takes about 4 months if using a high proof liquor - 151 proof works almost as well as grain alcohol but I try to start with at least a portion of Everclear, a 190 proof grain alcohol.  You can add a rum or brandly later to smooth out the flavor.
Lower proofs do take longer, 6-8 months, as it is the alcohol components working on the volatile compounds in the vanilla that extracts the flavor and this takes time.  Near the end of the infusing time you should add some sugar (a tablespoon to a pint) as that will assist in finishing the process. 
You can strain the resulting extract into another container and re-use the beans at least once but it will take a bit longer but will eventually produce more extract. 

I buy "bulk" vanilla beans here in the US from an ebay vendor who sells top quality beans at a fraction of the price as many vendors and I use a combination of Mexican and Madagascar Bourbon beans, occasionally Tahitian but it is a little too floral for my taste so I don't let it dominate.   
I know they ship world-wide as one of the folks on another forum who lives in Chile orders from the same vendor. 

There is an extended eGullet Forum discussion that started a few years ago about this very subject.  You can read about the experiences of various members and you can read about their methods and results HERE!

If I've posted this link before, my apologies, I have not gone back and re-read the entire thread.

[judydawn]

Thanks Andie, knew you'd come to the party with some information. 

[Frozzie]

oh i totally missed this but will definately be trying this out..how was the end result for those of you who tried it with the vodka??

[faffa_70]

I love this Frozzie, I have been through 6 bottles (that is vodka sized bottles lol) and have 2 brewing at the moment that will be ready in May. I have run out again so I need to get more going this week 

[Nay-nay]

Yep - I LOVE,LOVE,LOVE the whole process! Am due to do another as well. I use the actual bean in the cooking after it has been use twice to brew. 

[judydawn]

I use the brandy version and am quite happy with it.  Gave most of the first bottle away in Christmas hampers so have a second batch on the go at the moment using the same vanilla beans.  Thanks for the advice as to what to do with them afterwards Nay-nay.

[Nay-nay]

Yep - great in custard and cream rice. Just snip about a quarter of it into cook with it.