In recent years, the price of vanilla pods has fluctuated a lot due to disease and weather conditions impacting crops worldwide. Overall, the price of vanilla pods and vanilla extract has gone up.
Luckily, you can make your own vanilla extract at home, with just 2 ingredients 🙂
- Take 5 vanilla pods.
- Split in half lengthwise to expose the vanilla specks inside.
- Place in a clean medium size jar or bottle.
- Cover with vodka completely. (I have read that rum and bourbon work well, too)
- Seal.
- Store in a dark spot, preferably with constant temperature, giving the jar/bottle a shake from time to time.
That’s it!
The only downside is that you have to wait at least 1 month (preferably 6 months, according to my research) for the vodka to turn into vanilla extract, getting darker in color, and richly infused with fragrant vanilla.
On the plus side, once you have taken the extract out of the jar, you can refill with vodka, and make extract using the same pods at least a couple more times. Choose your pods wisely, and buy quality pods from a reputable seller. A good investment, in my opinion 🙂
For ready-made vanilla products, I highly recommend Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, a Chicagoland brand with exquisite products and a nationwide presence.
You may remember me writing about Nielsen-Massey Vanillas and hosting giveaways featuring their products on numerous occasions.
You are welcome to check out the posts below for Nielsen-Massey Vanillas reviews and for recipes which feature vanilla prominently:
Do you make vanilla extract at home, and do you have a favorite recipe with vanilla? Let me know in the comments 🙂
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