Anyone here make their own extracts? (vanilla, mint, etc)

[MaggieTheCat]

So, I placed an order from my favorite spice store today, Penzeys. I stocked up on some stuff that I'm low on, like cinnamon and soup base, and decided to get some of their premium grade vanilla beans while I was at it. I've never really worked with vanilla beans before but there are a lot of things I'd like to try making with them...like vanilla sugar and ice cream. Then I thought, maybe I should try making my own extracts! So I got some dried spearmint and peppermint to experiment with too.

My mom makes homemade vanilla extract. I'm pretty sure she just splits a couple of beans, sticks them in a jar, and covers them with vodka. It's good (strong...but good!) I'm just wondering if anyone here has ever made their own extracts and has any other methods that they use, or any other kinds of alcohol they use instead of vodka. I'll post my own results in a few weeks once I get mine made!

[Whiskey]

Alton Brown (St. Alton of Food Science) has as recipe for this. I'll have to look it up. Is your shop online? I wouldnt know where to get high grade vanilla beans.

[MaggieTheCat]

Yeah, www.penzeys.com. I've never ordered their vanilla beans before but I assume they're high quality, the rest of their stuff is. It's the only place I order herbs and spices from. I do remember seeing AB's vanilla episode but it's been a long time...but I bet he has it on Youtube.

[Amina516]

The recipe is probably on the food network website too, they usually are.

I love Alton. Hes a little weird...but its for the best.

Let us know how it turns out! Ive never tried something as bold as making my own vanilla.

[Whiskey]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyOjVhpFrCY I believe thats the one. "My Pod"

[KiaKat]

My favourite recipe is found here.

[Whiskey]

Bust out the booze friends! I’ve got a weekend project for you!

Hell yeah \o/ best recipe.


AB doesnt tell you how to make extract in that video.

[Magpie]

Where is she buying her vanilla extract and her vodka that she saves an appreciable amount on this? $10 for a small bottle? Maybe I need to stop going to the baking supply store, clearly I'm out of touch with reality.

[KiaKat]

She's a professional chef who works with *insanely* high-quality products. Some of the organic, high-concentration extracts can run that high easily.

Definitely not McCormick.

[Whiskey]

Where is she buying her vanilla extract and her vodka that she saves an appreciable amount on this? $10 for a small bottle? Maybe I need to stop going to the baking supply store, clearly I'm out of touch with reality.

a good majority of vanilla extract is crap derived from wood. Good vanilla extract is moderately expensive. And its not always about saving money.

[Magpie]

a good majority of vanilla extract is crap derived from wood. Good vanilla extract is moderately expensive. And its not always about saving money.

They can't call it vanilla here. It's imitation vanilla extract. And I don't know the brand - the baking supply store gets it in bulk and repackages it in 100mL bottles. (or one dram for the oils). Vanilla beans, however, are expensive up here. It occurs to me that the raw materials probably are more expensive here than in the US.

[Whiskey]

Its called imitation here too. Vanilla beans from teh site the OP posted are 27$ for 15 beans i think.

[RayvenQ]

*Reads title, hastily duct tapes mouth*