How To Make Your Own Vanilla Extract

Making your own vanilla extract is actually very simple. All you need is the following:

Vanilla beans
vodka
glass container

Of course it can be made and stored in a polyethylene plastic container, but the results are much better in a glass container that can be sealed.

Directions:

1. Take the number of vanilla beans you require (1 per 1/3 - 1/2 cup vodka) and slice them lengthwise so the side is split or open. Bisect the beans as needed for fitting into your particular container.

2. Place your beans into the container and fill with the appropriate amount of vodka. Again that's approx. 1 bean per 1/3 to 1/2 cup of vodka.

3. Now seal and place in a cool location out of sunlight for approx. 6-8 weeks. Of course the longer you let is sit, the stronger and more intense the flavor will become.

You can find excellent bulk vanilla beans here for larger batches:
1/4lb: [amzn.to]

Hermetic bottles perfect for making extracts can be found here:
1L bottle: [amzn.to]

Of course simply purchasing a glass bottle of vodka, large or small, and adding the proper amount of vanilla beans is an excellent and quick way to simply get the process over with. The only hurdle at that point would be the labeling on the bottle, if that matters to you.

Now as you use the extract, simply top off the jar with more vodka as needed. The same bean(s) can be reused for quite some time. As soon as your solution is no longer darkening or it begins to lose flavor, simply replace or add more vanilla bean(s) as required.