Vanilla Extract - from Shayla

[Thermomixer]

I have found that using the whole (vanilla) bean makes the custard a nasty shade of grey - would advise rather using vanilla sugar and a drop of vanilla extraxct - which I am making myself now - ......


...about 400ml of vodka with 3 split vanilla pods - use tall jar cover pods with vodka and keep in dark place for about eight weeks. Decant into small coloured bottles (I use old vanilla extract bottles).

.......

Shayla in Cape Town

[judydawn]

You just scrape the seeds out at the end of that period? I can't believe it is so easy to make vanilla extract - would save a lot of money the way I seem to go through it (and I don't even bake a lot!)

[brazen20au]

i have about 5-6 pods in a whole bottle of vodka (aldi brand) and i just refill my small bottle from that. i think i remember that you can keep topping up the big bottle, but need to google to confirm before i go ahead with it...

here's a great place to get cheap pods too, i'm happy to share with any other canberrans interested
http://shop.ebay.com.au/pskblade/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=25 (i haven't actually ordered from them as yet though, just looks great)

[~Narelle~]

Mine's brewing.  10 pods in a full bottle.  I've got 2 actually as I'm planning the 2nd one to be decanted for Christmas presents.

[brazen20au]

narelle, you have 10, i was wondering if i needed more, mine is not very strongly vanilla. but i had been buying them one at a time for about $3 each form the supermarket 

[Chelsea (Thermie Groupie)]

My vanilla beans that I purchased from ebay arrived today in the mail.  I bought 12 for $12 and the postage was free (I will post the link below).  I just have to go and buy some vodka now. 

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Spice-West-12-x-A-grade-organic-Vanilla-beans-FREE-POST_W0QQitemZ310165990371QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Food?hash=item4837556be3&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

[Nay-nay]

My vanilla beans that I purchased from ebay arrived today in the mail.  I bought 12 for $12 and the postage was free (I will post the link below).  I just have to go and buy some vodka now. 

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Spice-West-12-x-A-grade-organic-Vanilla-beans-FREE-POST_W0QQitemZ310165990371QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Food?hash=item4837556be3&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Wow - Thanks! Got mine on order now. Never thought of finding it there. 

[Meagan]

I have bought some in a coop of friends from this site http://www.vanillaplantations.com/default.htm and am in the process of setting up another one up in WA at the moment  on another forum I am on. Much cheaper than individual ones at the shops and bigger too 

[JulieO]

I started my vanilla extract last November. 

I used a 700ml bottle of vodka and added about 20 png vanilla beans that I split first, (png or boubon are supposed to be the best to use for this - purchased on ebay too), had to remove a little of the vodka to fit them in, then I put in a cool, dark cupboard and left for about 6 months, giving it a shake every now and again.

You will know when it is ready to use as you won't smell the vodka anymore just vanilla.  Mine is thick and beautiful now, and like Shayla I decant into a 200ml extract bottle for ease of use. (I also cut a couple more beans in half and added to the small bottle too). 

About 4 weeks ago, I bought another bottle of vodka, and topped up the main bottle, shook and put it back in the dark cupboard and will keep topping up with the new vodka now and again as I remove to the smaller bottle. 

[cookie1]

Like Julie I started mine last November.(same site???) It is rather good.

[faffa_70]

Wow thanks for the information everyone...beans are ordered and vodka on the list. It was my mission to bring a heap of beans back from Bali when we went last and I forgot    they are on the list for the next trip

[brazen20au]

are you allowed to bring them in?

[faffa_70]

Yes, I checked, well you were when I checked at the end of last year. I didn't think you would be able to,  but you are and they are really nice ones too.

[JulieO]

Like Julie I started mine last November.(same site???) It is rather good.

Yes Cookie, it's me Ragdoll.   

[Thermomixer]

Yes, I checked, well you were when I checked at the end of last year. I didn't think you would be able to,  but you are and they are really nice ones too.

I'd double check - they are not completely dry and so the nasties at Customs may confiscate them??

Really can be a problem depending on the people there on the day - as it says in the link - dried - and if they have moisture they may go !!

http://www.aqis.gov.au/icon32/asp/ex_casecontent.asp?intNodeId=8786740&intCommodityId=13670&Types=none&WhichQuery=Go+to+full+text&intSearch=1&LogSessionID=0