Homemade Organic Vanilla Extract

Recipe for Homemade Organic Vanilla Extract

March 11th, 2002

Most of us have purchased a pure vanilla extract from our local grocery. If you look closely at the ingredient label you will likely see the following: water, 35% alcohol, vanilla bean extractives and corn syrup solids. What are corn syrup solids? You can make your own high quality organic vanilla extract without the additives. Here is an easy to follow recipe:

Purchase 3 whole organic vanilla beans. Look for beans that are dark in color, moist, shiny and firm. Store the vanilla beans in a dry sealed container and place it in the refrigerator

Purchase a good brandy or a pure grain alcohol such as Everclear™

Locate a pint size clean wide mouth jar

Add 8 oz of brandy or Everclear™ to the jar

Split 3 whole vanilla beans down the middle. Scrape the seeds from the beans into the alcohol and then add the whole vanilla beans.

Seal the lid tightly and set the jar in a cool place. Shake the jar 3 times a week. Let the mixture cure for at least 2 months.

Strain out the vanilla beans and set aside. Strain the remaining extract through a coffee filter. Pour the homemade vanilla extract into a decorative bottle and label.

Note* the vanilla beans that you set aside can be rinsed and then set to air dry. When the vanilla beans are very dry either store them in a sealed container, place in the refrigerator or stick them deep inside a pound of raw sugar. The vanilla beans can be used to flavor coffee or desserts in the future.

Now that you have made a high quality vanilla extract you are ready to make a fresh batch of chocolate chip pecan cookies!

Reference: The Herb Companion Magazine December 1995/ January 1996 issue

Copyright 2001
BlackPearlBotanicals LLC
Please Visit Us at Our Online Store:
Black Pearl Botanicals Logo
http://www.blackpearlbotanicals.com
There you will find a variety of all natural products made using these and other fine ingredients from nature's medicine chest.