Vanilla is one of the most popular & common flavors on earth. It’s signature taste and aroma is rich but delicate, sweet but spicy, complex but inviting. Somehow vanilla has become a word used to describe something pretty basic, but it is anything but!
The beautiful vanilla orchid plant originated in Mexico, but now Madagascar and Indonesia are the largest producers. Vanilla has a unique history that you can read more about here, if you wish. I learned a lot preparing for this blog! One fun fact is that each flower only blooms for about ONE day and has to be pollinated within 12 hours of opening to produce fruit (pods). This is mostly done by human hands.
A couple of years ago, my mother-in-law gave me some homemade vanilla extract. One bottle was made with vodka and one was made with bourbon. They were pretty big bottles and lasted me a good, long time! I could have kept refilling them to make them last longer, but I didn’t… and I recently ran out. So I decided to make some more myself and share the process with you.
Supplies needed:
- Swing top glass bottles (or other bottles of choice)
- vanilla beans (4-5 per bottle)
- vodka, bourbon or both
Start off by cleaning your bottles with soap and water and then rinsing. Next, pour boiling water into each bottle to sterilize.
Then lay out your vanilla beans on a cutting board and use the tip of a paring knife to slice down the length of the pod to expose the beans inside. Try not to cut all the way through the pod! Once you have done this, place 4-5 pods in each jar and then cover with vodka or bourbon. I used a funnel to do this. Then close the bottles and shake them gently.
All that is left to do is be patient! The jars will need to be stored in a cool, dark place for 2-3 months before the extract is ready to use. Just in time to be Christmas gifts! I’m excited to share these with the ladies in my family, like my mother-in-law did.
Vanilla extract is so easy to make and way cheaper than buying in the store. Turns out it is really good for you, too!
Beware that pure vanilla extract is not the same as imitation vanilla! The former is made from simply vanilla beans and alcohol, while the later contains artificial colors and flavors.
You can also enjoy some of the health benefits of vanilla by using it in oil form. Add to your essential oil diffuser for a calming scent. Or you can add it to your epsom salts and put it in the tub to soak. Vanilla is a common addition to DIY perfumes. I’ll post a few options in my favorite things. Just click the box below!
I hope I’ve inspired you to get more vanilla in your life, one way or another. And if someone calls you “vanilla,” now you can smile and say… “Wow, thanks!”
Although I am a nurse by trade, I am not a doctor or an expert, and the information I provide on this blog is for educational purposes only. Each person is unique and their needs and circumstances vary, so I always recommend that you consult your medical provider before making any changes.
