Homemade Vanilla Extract Made in the Instant Pot- Easy Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

What is the best alcohol to make vanilla extract? ›

Use either. 80 proof Alcohol: Vanilla extract is most commonly made from vodka, but you can use bourbon, brandy, or rum instead. I usually use vodka, but the one bottle of bourbon vanilla I made 7 months ago is DIVINE. No need to splurge on expensive alcohol.

Add 5 or 6 of them to each 8-ounce jar, or 20-24 vanilla beans if you are doing a larger batch in a quart-size jar for personal use. If you are using smaller, 4-ounce jars, you will need to cut the beans in half so they fit and use only 2-3 beans per jar.

For classic vanilla flavor, stick strictly with Madagascar vanilla or Madagascar bourbon vanilla beans. If you have the choice between “Grade A” or “Grade B”, stick to the Grade B because they're cheaper (if not as pretty) and they work just as well for making extract.

Water, Cane Alcohol, Cane Sugar, Vanilla Bean Extractives.

A bit of simple math reveals that homemade vanilla extract is the more economical choice. Say you buy two 4-ounce bottles of the good vanilla extract from the grocery store every year. If each jar costs $18, that's $180 over a five-year span.

With Vodka, you get the taste of the pure vanilla bean, as the alcohol is completely tasteless. With Rum, you get a very sweet taste and the maximum vanilla taste. With Bourbon, while you do get a wonderfully enhanced vanilla taste, there are specific smoky notes that emanate through the extract.

When stored properly, vanilla extract will keep indefinitely, but using it within five years will allow for best flavor and aroma. Do not refrigerate or freeze, even after opening. What is the shelf life of my vanilla beans? When stored properly, two years.

To get started, you'll need to gather your ingredients. Those include a cheap bottle of vodka; vanilla beans; bottles. You could totally steep the vanilla extract in the alcohol bottle, of course, but I prefer to divide it into containers for steeping.

Re-fillable: Once you run out of vanilla, refill the bottle with Vodka and use the beans for another batch (they will last for up to two batches). Also, the vanilla extract wont expire as long as it's stored in a cool, dry place.

Default Title. It's called "double fold" for a reason: Our friends at Singing Dog use twice as many vanilla beans in their extract to pack an incredible punch.

Which bourbon is best for vanilla extract? ›

Buffalo Trace: This Kentucky bourbon offers a smooth and mellow taste with notes of caramel, vanilla, and a hint of spice. It's an excellent choice for creating a well rounded vanilla extract. Maker's Mark: Known for its approachable and slightly sweet flavor.

Container: You can use any glass container you would like that has a lid. I like to use pint-sized mason jars with plastic lids. Waxed Paper: A piece placed between the lid and the jar helps to keep the extract from leaking when you shake the jar. It also helps to create a better seal.

Grade B vanilla beans, on the other hand, are considered 'extract-grade beans', and they are primarily used in making vanilla extract.

So, while most online communities say no need to wash, we don't see a problem in giving them a quick water or alcohol rinse right before use, just as you would with store-bought produce. It may remove some external oil, but most of the oil for extracts comes from within the pod skin itself.

Vanilla extract is made by soaking vanilla beans in a mixture of water and ethyl alcohol ( 1 ). The extract gets its signature vanilla flavor from a molecule called vanillin found in vanilla beans ( 1 , 2). Standards for pure vanilla extract vary by country.

IMPORTANCE OF ALCOHOL FOR EXTRACTION

The reason that there are content requirements for alcohol in vanilla bean extract is due to its important function. The alcohol has the huge responsibility of extracting all of the wonderful compounds and flavors from the vanilla bean.

Clear vanilla extract is made by using synthetic vanillin. The compound used in clear vanilla extract is usually artificial. This delivers the same flavour that pure vanilla extract would. Similar to the pure version, clear vanilla extract is available in an alcohol-free version.