Why make it?
Vanilla extract is very expensive right now. I just bought a 12 oz bottle at BJ’s for $28 and that was way cheaper than anywhere else around here. At our local food co-op, Madagascar vanilla extract was $996/ounce which is more expensive than silver! A package of 3 vanilla beans was $27!
So, I decided to make my own and to give bottles of it as holiday stocking stuffers. (Now is the time of year to get it started steeping.)
Unfortunately, the price of vanilla beans has gone through the roof and now the extract is almost as ridiculously expensive to make as it is to buy. (Am I whining?) Apparently this has to do with a shortage of beans caused by a storm in Madagascar and other factors. The price is not expected to go down any time soon.
How much do vanilla beans cost?
On Amazon, the lowest price I could find was $2.10 per bean. I ordered 10 of them to make 4 (4 oz) bottles. I also bought a dozen bottles and a small funnel:
There were directions on the package which came from Vanilla Products USA, but I didn’t use them. According to them, I would need to add 1/2 ounce of beans to make 4 oz of extract. That would be at least all 10 of the beans I ordered for $25. I paid less than that for the bottle I bought at BJ’s!
Instead, I went by several recipes I found online (there are millions). I figure if I don’t get vanilla by this holiday season, maybe I will get it by the next.
Here’s the process:
1. Sterilize the bottles and the funnel.
2. Split 2 vanilla beans (for each bottle) in half lengthwise, or, if they are very thin, cut them into 1/2″ pieces.
3. Put the beans in 4 oz. bottles.
4. Fill the bottles with vodka or any other 70-80 proof liqueur.
5. Cover and let it ferment for as long as you can (some people do it for years), shaking it once or twice/week.
6. Label the bottles.
Mariana Veiga, a graphic designer from Brazil who is now living in Italy designed a label just for us! She has a website – https://theveigas.wordpress.com/ and she can be reached at marianapintoveiga@gmail.com. Thank you, Mari!
This label prints 2 inches wide:
As always, let us know (in the comments section) if you decide to make your own vanilla extract or if you have a better way. It’s always good to hear from you:)
