Vanilla Extract - from Shayla

[Cornish Cream]

Very good idea Judy

[Slice of Health]

I finally made this today, got my vanilla beans off eBay, $16.99 for 30. They are classed as B grade but perfect for extract. Can't wait to see how this goes!!!

[Cuilidh]

Looks like you've got a good brew started there, Kulsha.  Do you have any vodka left ... because I think the jars should be filled to the brim to ensure that the vanilla beans are totally immersed in vodka.  Perhaps you could buy another bottle of vodka ... one for jar one ... one for Kulsha ... one for jar two ... one for Kulsha ... one for ... 

[Slice of Health]

Hi Cuilidh, I took some vodka out of the 2 bottles (it looks like i drank it ha ha), as I wanted to make an additional extract using my kaffir lime leaves so that's in another bottle waiting for me to do that one. The beans are actually covered but one bean is poking up in the photo as I shook it and it didn't pop staight back down. I think I will buy an extra bottle and top it up though as I should be able to get more essence with that many beans. Its just amazing, even overnight it is a darker colour already! Very cool !!

[charlieboy]

Just prepared my first batch

[Cuilidh]

I've had a jar of this brewing for about six months now and tasted it yesterday.  It looks great, but I was very disappointed that it tastes strongly of alcohol and without nearly as much vanilla taste as I had hoped for.  I just stuffed another 6 vanilla pods in in the hope that this will get better by Xmas. 

[judydawn]

Maybe it needs longer Marina.  The first one I did in brandy does still smell a bit brandyish but the vodka ones smell like vanilla for sure. Adding the extra beans as you did will help in time too.

[cookie1]

I haven't checked mine. It is stuck at the back of the pantry. I must check it and try some.

[Cuilidh]

It isn't in a full vodka bottle, just a largish sized jam jar and there were quite a few vanilla beans in it anyway (I think 10 - 12) but I am wondering if the problem has arisen because I wasn't shaking the bottle once a week.  Fingers crossed that it will eventually work out.

[fundj&e]

scraping some of the  beans out of they pods may help Marina

[Wonder]

I had the same problem Marina, I forgot all about it and it's been in the back of my cupboard for over 12 months!

[charlieboy]

Apparently shaking the bottle once a week is an important step

[fundj&e]

I had the same problem Marina, I forgot all about it and it's been in the back of my cupboard for over 12 months!

did u snip the ends off b4 soaking ?

[andiesenji]

The beans should be split or crushed prior to putting them in the alcohol.  I usually chop them into 1-2 inch sections and smash them a bit.

[Cuilidh]

Thanks Uni and Andie - I will get on to this after work tonight and keep my fingers crossed that I might be able to pull them off in time for Xmas - I can feel a lot of shaking coming on.  Glad to hear I am not the only one that this has happened to!