JulyMama welcome to CC! Sorry I haven't had much computer time here. I've been brewing my own Vanilla for awhile,,,, I got my Madagascar Vanilla pods off ebay for about $4-$8 a package. I put about 5-6 vanilla long pods in a clean, wide-mouth mason jar, added a little bit of Pure vanilla extract (not imitation, and frankly not a whole lot either!). Screwed the new lid on nice and tight, stuck it in a brown paper bag, layed it on it's side in case it developed an air pocked or what-have-you.

And then promptly forgot about it!

I didn't have time to mess with it. I didn't have time to add a bean or two because I used up the other 1/2 of the beans in another jar, added more of super cheap rotgut Vodka to it. Did the same thing. Stuck it in a brown paper bag. Locked it up. Dark cabinet. Forgot about it.

Then man o man---popped up the lid on it and WHEW did it ever smell soooo wonderful!! made Tobba Garrett's Scratch Vanilla Cake with 2 Tablespoons of yummyness. Oh the smell of Vanilla baking in the oven was heavenly. I mean really, we need an emoticon going "aaaaaaahhhhh" or something because it's like I'm in love with this Vanilla already!

I've used it in cookies, Vanilla SMBC, regular BC, and added some to my hot chocolate.

I checked with my supplier and they will have this year's fresh vanilla beans ready in about a week.

I was just gonna ask about other extracts & if the concept worked the same way. I am so gonna do all the extracts. Thanks herboudior. Thanks everyone, cause I so needed a cheaper way to get get quality extract. Paying $3.69 for 2 ozs. of Watkins vanilla extract is just crazy!

Ok sooo this may very well be a silly question.....What about the alcohol content. Does the smell come with it?

HerBoudoir....thanks so much for the info on making your own vanilla. Can't wait to try it...sounds yummy. I'm also gonna be adventurous and try making the lime, lemon and orange extracts. YIPPEEE! BTW....love your avatar!!!

What about starting off with that vanilla vodka you can get nowadays. Would that make it better, or is that just dumb?

Vanilla vodka is clear if I'm not mistaken so it would be artificially flavored. Just buy plain vodka.

Thanks for all the info--man that homemade vanilla sounds awesome!! I'm definitely going to give it a try once I've used up the vanilla I have. Too bad I just bought a gallon of Watkins--at least it was fairly cheap(around $50).

I think the vodka in the liquor store is about $6 bucks for one of the tall bottles. (quart?) and about $4 for the little one. The beans on ebay are so cheap and they are really great quality.

I used pure vanilla extract to use as a start. But like I said, not very much. I really didn't want to use it at all. And frankly you don't *have* to...it's just that it *starts the process quicker* and so if you're like me...have a tendancy to forget about it...then it really is quite nice to decant the stuff after several months.






edited to add: HerBoudier, your avatar cracks me up!

Sorry, double post

Before you buy vanilla from Mexico, make sure you read this warning regarding Mexican vanilla and coumarin, a toxic substance, from the FDA: http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/mexicanvanilla102908.html

Remember that food safety regulations in other countries ARE NOT nearly as rigid as those in the US.

Silver Cloud Estates makes the best Vanilla Bean Paste, but for the past 3 yrs i've been making my own. Very easy just takes time.

I usually buy my vanilla on eBay. Very cheap and I use Tahitian & Madagascar together and it makes a complex extract thats like no other.

can someone tell us where you get your vanilla beans on ebay? and what is a good price? I found $5.98 for six 7-7.5 inches beans. Is that a good price? I have no idea.

I love Penzey's Double Strength...I use the amount called for in the recipe, and I never halve it !

OK - I got my vanilla beans from ebay today and I have 6 small jars brewing!! I even have a few beans leftover that I am going to use for other stuff. I will let you know how it ends up.

I've bought from Organic Vanilla and Vanilla Products, (twice).
I usually buy their sampler. $9 for 30 beans + you get a 1/4lb of Tahitian for free.
In the sampler you get..
10 Tahitian
10 Madagascar Bourbon Grade A
10 Extract grade

They are out of PA so it usually takes 2 days since i'm so close.

Here is a link to the auction that I won..hope it works. It was $12 instead of the $9 that I said though.

http://cgi.ebay.com/30-Vanilla-Bean-Assortment-Tahitian-Bourbon-Grmet_W0QQitemZ250324560588QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item250324560588&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

Someone posted their recipe, and I do have a slight variation.
Give my bottles a good shake every day for the first week, then once a week for 3 months. Usually whatever the Vodka comes in, that what I use. The beans aren't that hard to get out when its time to strain it IMO.

After 3mths I strain the extract, and repeat the process with new beans. YOu will find that if you use Tahitian you will have to strain it because that type has fibers that come off when you scrape the seeds.

My extract is usually ready in about 6mths. Of course the longer it sits, the better.