This is a post originally posted to FionasFlavours.wordpress.com, Lost Garden’s old site.
Last May I went to India. Because it was a field school we were busy with lectures and field visits a lot of the time, and unfortunately didn’t have much shopping time. However, I did manage to buy some spices, including some vanilla beans!
I’ve never used vanilla beans before, so vanilla extract seemed like a good place to start!
Shall we get onto how simple it is to make your own vanilla extract now then?
You’ll need:
-about 6 vanilla beans
-1 1/2 cups of vodka (or other alcohol of your choosing)
-an airtight container
1. Make slits down the middle of your beans and add them to the jar. I’ve looked at some other recipes and it seems that 6 is a good number, though I used 8 because some were quite small.
2. Add your vodka (or other booze) then close and shake container.
3. Now store in a cool dark place for about 2 months.
And so the waiting begins, I will update you in about 6-8 weeks on how it’s coming along!
Update, before and after:
