Is homemade vanilla extract worth making? Taste test

It's common to make homemade extract, but is it worth it? Is there a best recipe or process? Ultimately it's up to you to decide, but here are some observations.

0:00 Different ways to make extract
2:50 Cost effective!
3:31 Homemade vs. store bought taste test
5:49 Recipe tips

Vanilla Pura's awesome extract guide:

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[tiffanypilkey]

I’m apart of a vanilla co-op on Facebook, and they say the ratio is 1 ounce of beans to 1 cup(8 ounces) of liquor and let it sit for a minimum of 1 year.

[tyfi]

The eye contact is killing me: I want to look away but I can’t!

[gardenlove]

A study of chemistry would stop people asking stupid questions. Time is the most costly ingredient in any product, it takes years not months to makes a good scotch. I'd prefer not to try your home made scotch. Don't be in such a hurry - if you are in a hurry just get it at the supermarket. Good vanilla is aged longer than 13 weeks

[ghhhhhhhhhh]

i loved your video! i'm thinking of starting my own extract and keep it going for many years. My only tip is that your video seemed to end a bit abruptly, i found it a little odd. but i respect it if tha'ts the style you're going for

[lavvy]

I have cut, ground, and left my beans whole. The flavor of the bean that were left whole was much better than the others and I was able to squeeze out the yummy caviar for French Toast. Grade A works better for this than Grade B though.

[chiefschicktx]

Interesting you mentioned the sous vide. I've had the hardest time finding info on that method but I made some that way and also have some infusing the traditional way. I'm curious to see if I can tell the difference between them after a full year. Both batches were double fold (using 2 oz of beans per 8 oz for anyone who might not be familiar).

What a lot of people don't mention about double fold is that you need more extra space in your container or you have to do some math. I used 16 oz jars and only had enough room for 10 oz of liquor and 2.5 oz of beans and there wasn't much head space.

[maisunn]

Best video I've found on vanilla extraction. Thanks so much for sharing!

[prose]

You answered all my questions, thank you! Great video!

[LarsUriel]

Thanks for the video, very objective, adding to that, the best extract I made actually involved soaking the beans in hot water (like tea) and then adding vodka to the mix. My next test will involve a few drops of neutral oil. My reasoning being that a lot of flavoring compounds are lipossoluble. I could go through the 250+ compounds of the vanilla pods and figure which one is lipossoluble but for my sanitys sake Ill just do the experiment and see what is what XD

[jamesbarisitz]

Thinking more is more better, I bought a bottle of 90 proof to make a batch with ten beans. The stuff ruined about four different standard recipes I tried it in. Going to try the sugar idea with the preserved beans. Buying a bottle of Mexican paste after watching this excellent video -thank you. 👍

[ללטגךוגךוגלוגלעגלטג]

Alcohol boils in 70 degrees c and water boils in 100 degrees, so when you see the vodka boil its mean that there is no alcohol in the voka anymore or a lot less than before

[stevenfeil]

LOTS of misinformation in this video. It is obvious that he has not done adequate research or worked with actual vanilla extract hobbyists that actually know what they are doing.

[marcysikes]

This guy doesn’t blink! Maybe I have been watching too many videos by body language experts!😂

[squadiodatamj]

Exactly the information I was seeking, all wrapped up, neat and tidy. Thank you. I put up my first batch May 2020, gave lovely large bottles to each of my 2 adult daughters at Christmas. I'm making this year's batch with greater confidence, making it all the more fun. With Thanks!

[mickeyblue]

Thank you for sharing this information I buy mine from the supermarket and it’s getting so expensive I think I’ll try the homemade version 🤔😎👍✌️👏🏼

[toowoombalifeinaustralia]

Its worth making extract....I ended up making nice extract using Ceylon Vanilla beans from ebay...Really had a good flavor & punch

[tanetalz]

Add vanilla bean to vodka and leave it for 2 months? I leave my beans in vodka for no less than 18 months.

[donnaskaggs]

Very interesting video. I bought a bottle of vanilla & a pack of beans & have been steeping it for months. I’m going to let it steep for a year. I thought I could reuse the beans for another batch. It’s helpful to learn that I should toss them

[neilreid]

This is really good to know! Store bought vanilla extract is very expensive- I can see going the home made route if only for cost. Thanks!

[clagygulap]

I've thought about making vanilla extract with an ultrasonic cleaner. Seems plausible.