Making the best Vanilla Extract you have ever tasted. 

I will be doing a GIVEAWAY October 10th, 2023 6:30pm MST Giving away: Vanilla Beans, gift cards, fused glass necklaces and more. Join me on the live stream to win. Celebrating 80k subscribers. ru-vid.comW8gWzoZNa8U

I have a huge Wild Turkey bottle full of Mexican vanilla from 1963. You cannot even imagine what 60 year old vanilla smells like. It is incredible! I am truly blessed

I put my beans directly into the bottles of alcohol instead of all the tiny bottles, when it’s ready, I put into 4 oz bottles and label each one and gift them to friends and family, easier to shake a large bottle than all those small ones.

The vanilla orchid is native to a specific region of Mexico. When oil was discovered in the area, the jungle was cut down and very few of the vanilla orchids survived. But the real tragedy was the specialized pollinator insect that evolved with this one type of plant was lost as well. It was strong enough to pierce the orchid to pollinate it. It does not occur in any other part of the world. The orchid was successfully transplant to other countries, Tahiti, Madagascar, etc. But they no longer had the specialized pollinating insect and thus must be hand pollinated.

I think you are generous to share your personal process with us, not just take us through how to do it ourselves. Thank you. I'm so excited to make this for gifts next year.

So, get a pint jar, put 5 vanilla beans strips in the jar, fill with vodka, mix it up once in a while. Ready in 18 months. Thank you. Appreciate the video.

I am from Madagascar and I am glad to hear that you make your extract from out vanilla. I work directly with the local vanilla growers in Madagascar and see the hard work that they put in doing this. Thanks for the video.

Make a delicious creme soda: Take 1T of your vanilla with 2 T of maple syrup and fill glass with sparkling water! Yum

I have been making homemade vanilla for almost 10 years. I started with vodka but in the last two years I've switched to white rum. I love the rum based vanilla better. I gift my vanilla as well. You are absolutely correct about letting it age so long before using! I have only been letting it set about a year but I will let my newest start to keep for 2 year before using to see if it makes it even richer.

I just love her. She could have been everyone's favorite school teacher. I would love to be her real-life friend and neighbor! I bet she has a dry sense of humor too. More recipies please.

I have a lifetime of vanilla! I put about 15 Vanilla beans cut in half into a gallon of vodka. After a year I started using it by putting some in a smaller jar for the kitchen. Keep the gallon in a dark closet. As I take some out I refill the gallon of vanilla with more vodka. My vanilla is now 2 years old, very very dark. Never let it get low. Always refill as you use it. Lifetime of vanilla! It works!

I've been making my own vanilla extract for 15 years. After joining a vanilla bean co-op I learned that I was actually supposed to be putting 1 oz of vanilla beans to 1 cup of alcohol, for single fold. My vanilla extract is now spectacular compared to what it used to be. I get an oz of the most plump beautiful vanilla beans I've ever seen for $9-$13 per oz. If you want a more pure vanilla extract use everclear diluted properly with distilled water. The longer the vanilla sits the better it is. I have a 15 year old extract that's devine. You never have to take the beans out. I have mother bottles of separate types of beans and bottles of blended beans. The blended (Madagascar, PNG, Syrian, so on and such) in 1 bottle together that are far better than single bean bottles. But it's important to use 1 oz of vanilla beans to 1 cup of alcohol. You can use the caviar from the beans and put the beans back in the extract to continue to extract. Leave the beans whole in the alcohol and pull out as needed. Snip the end off and squeeze the caviar out like toothpaste, but the bean back in the extract. You can also use oak blocks to finish your extract, it tones down the alcohol smell.

I have made my own vodka based vanilla for 20 years. I use about a tablespoon for part of the water when I make pie dough. The vodka relaxes the gluten in the pie dough making it easier to roll out, and it flavors the pie crust.

Ive known this lady for 15 seconds... SHE IS AWESOME!! 9:30 in and i'm stunned. This is cool information.

Don't know how this came up in my recommended videos but I'm so glad it did. I'm a huge fan of instant gratification so this will try my patience but I love how so very easy this is.

The price of the vanilla beans is really not an issue when you consider what they’re charging you in the grocery store for a small 2 ounce bottle of real vanilla extract. The price in the store is outrageous!

Fun Fact: Some Mexican vanilla that is labeled “Vanilla” is not real vanilla. It is made from the Tonka tree, which is a completely different plant, and is of the pea family. It smells just like vanilla, and tastes close enough to pass, but there’s a noticeable difference if you really pay attention. It illegally began showing up in US markets and restaurants in recent years. The Tonka bean contains Coumarin, which has been banned in the US for consumption since 1954, because it is toxic to the liver in large doses. However, a person would have to eat about 30 beans too be harmed. Still, I would rather have real vanilla. I am so glad to learn how to make homemade vanilla. THANK YOU!

I’m Starting Vanilla Extract as soon as my vanilla beans arrive! I watched a lot of peoples videos on how to make vanilla extract I like how you explain things , to me you explains things better. 👩🏾‍🦲😘

I wish I could have watched this two years ago!

This is the only vanilla I have ever known. My Mother made it, I do; and so does my Son. It's a great tradition to pass on.

Sometimes it pays to be late to the party! Since it’s almost 2 years from the original posting of this video, I’m very interested in finding out how the vanilla spiced rum extract turned out

Plant History: They originated in Mexico and were pollinated by a bee that is native only to Mexico. When it was brought to Europe by explorers it took botanist a while to figure out the pollination problem of why they couldn't get the orchid to form the seed pod we know as vanilla and how to hand pollinate to produce the pods. They can grow in the tropics everywhere or in greenhouses but its the labor intensive nature of hand pollination of each flower that makes vanilla pods so expensive.

In France, vanilla flavoring comes in sugar packets (sachets de sucre vanillé), so I used to make extract from vanilla beans & alcohol as you do. I used a tall thin jar and left the beans whole (but sliced, as you do). I couldn't buy extract in the store, so I started using mine after just 3 months. As you said, longer is better. I'm hoping this comment will help people to find your video.

I found this channel, and started to listen, and I realized, I would completely trust everything this lady has to say. You seem so knowledgable. I love finding channels like this for the other 98% of us, who are not intuitive about figuring anything out. I need tutorials, and I will subscribe.

You're just wonderful. I've seen this video a little over two years ago after going to the store to buy some of this extract for WAY too much money... Two years went by quickly, (I've waited patiently, as per your instructions), and my 1st batch reached maturity. We now have our own home made vanilla extract. Thank you so much.

Great video! I’ve got a few tricks to add. One of the tools that distillers use to infuse their spirits more quickly is a jewelry cleaner; those vibrations are meant to shake miniscule dust particles out of metal, and they’re pretty effective at speeding up flavor extraction. You can also get quicker results with a higher-proof alcohol; look for cask-strength or navy strength in your liquor - that indicates that it hasn’t been diluted with as much water. Temperature fluctuations can speed up extraction. The same principle that causes pipes to expand and contract with the seasons works within the cell walls of your vanilla pods. If you’ve got a shed or a patio, that’s usually better than storing them in your climate-controlled house.

I used to make my own Kahlua, and also let it sit and also shook it from time to time. During the year, I collected unique jars, and then bottled it at Christmas and gave to friends for gifts. It was always a big hit. I look forward to seeing your video on making a salve. Years ago, I had long fingernails that gathered a lot of compliments. I had horses then, and used Hoofmaker on their hooves to keep them strong and from cracking. My mother told me some big cosmetic company bought out the Hoof Maker business, and put the creams into tiny half oz. fancy containers, called it nail builder cream and sold for $8 each half oz at the cosmetic booth in big department stores. I could get a quart of the Hoofmaker at my local feed store for about $8 for 32 oz. So I bought a bunch of little jars with screw on lids special order from the pharmacy, used a pastry tube and squirted the pink cream into the jars, and made my own labels "Judith's Secret Formula Nail Builder Cream". Thus I was able to hand out 64 little jars to all my co-workers (public school with teachers, aids, etc) at Christmas one year. I never let on it was horse hoof cream. A few of those ladies were kind of prissy teachers who would have been aghast, but they loved the home made gift and never knew. It was a cheap way for me to play Santa to lots of people. So I'm all in on making this vanilla and look forward to your other videos and ideas. Thanks so much.

what people dont realize , that even with the alcohol as a base , when they cook whatever you used it in,it evaporates and just leaves the flavor

I joined a vanilla bean co-op last year and my first batch of double-fold vanilla will be ready to try in late winter 2024. Madagascar beans, Mexican-cured, in Bacardi white rum. Since the first batch, I have also started a triple-fold batch of Tahitian beans in Blue Ice vodka, a doublefold tiny batch of Sri Lankan beans in Redemption Bourbon, and a doublefold batch of Mexican beans in Bacardi Superior (white) rum. Single-fold is 1 ounce of beans to 8 oz of alcohol (I go by weight). Multiple folds are stronger, so 2 oz beans/8 oz alcohol is dpuble-fold, and 3 oz beans/8 oz alcohol is triple fold, etc... I also put my cut off end tips in 6 oz of good, thick balsamic vinegar, and have used the delivery bags to steep some cut ends in sugar. Some of the folks use spent beans or ends to scent salt (for use in rubs and drink recipes). After your 12-24 months of extraction are done, beans can be transferred to a large jar (half-gallon or larger) with fresh liquor (and sometimes fresh beans or trimmings, all varuetues mixed) to make a "mother" jar, which many folks swear is the absolute BEST vanilla, especially those that have mother jars that are several years old. You can also cut the wait time a LOT by making vanilla bean paste instead of making extract. There are also groups that specialize in making other sorts of homemade extracts (almond, cinnamon, chocolate, etc...). It is an enjoyable hobby, and makes great gifts for your friends and family who are bakers.

OMG! Imagine receiving a pint of this as a gift! Makes my heart a-flutter just at the thought of it! If anyone out there needs my address, just let me know! LOL! God bless...

I love how you present your material and you seem like someone it would be fun to sit down and just hang out with for an afternoon talking about recipes and life. Thanks, now I have to see if I can make some of this!

When my uncle was in the Air Force, he would send my grand mother different kinds of vanilla beans and Granny would make her vanilla out of moonshine. Came out really well.

Ran into your video researching vanilla extract and fell in love with you. You have a beautiful personality, God bless you Ma’am.

My first batch is made! I made 4 pints with vodka, 4 pints with spiced rum, and 2 pints with bourbon. I’m going to let them “stew” for 2 years. I’ll also start a new batch every few months for a while so I can accumulate enough to sell. Thanks for this great tutorial!

I love her explanations. It's no-nonsense, yet gives you every detail. Thank you for being so generous and sharing your way of making vanilla extract! I'm also super impressed that you sell it at farmers' markets. Nicely done!

I know a lady who keeps adding a tiny bit of alcohol each month as it begins to kinda' shrink. Those vanilla beans can be reused many, many times. Amazing!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 🥔 🥔

My mum made this in 1970s. At the same time, she put coffee in some of the jars. It wasn't until 1982 after her death that I discovered her treasure trove.

Was I the only one who heard "Roll that beautiful bean footage!" when she opened up that vanilla pod?

With my memory, I would probably forget where I put it, lol. I bought a Christmas present for my husband one year, and forgot where I put it. I found it two years later when I went to look for the wrapping paper in the attic 😂. Thanks for sharing such an informative video Sandy. 👍🏻

Made my first vanilla extract back in 2020 after watching your video. My son used it for the first time last year (2022) to make some cookies he was giving to friends. It was great. Thanks so much for sharing. I made some with spiced rum too, but haven't tried it in anything yet.

I have GOT TO TRY THIS! I love vanilla in everything. Hope I can wait two years! 😅😂🤣 Thank you and God bless you and yours! AMEN 🙏😇🙌🌈🌻

I used your video in August of 2020 to start my own vanilla project. Two quart jars, a half gallon of Sam's Club vodka, and 24 Madagascar vanilla beans. 11 months to go, and I shake 'em up once a month. Love the color.

You remind me of one of the best professors I ever had. It's comforting watching your videos.

Hi Sandy, I learned so much from your video. I bought vodka, rum, brandy, and bourbon so I could taste them all. This will be my first time making vanilla extract. I will definitely keep them for two years before I taste them. Thank you and have a blessed day!

I made my vanilla for the first time last week! I used vodka for most of the bottles I did and one bottle I used spiced Vanilla/Cherry Rum! I wanted to see if there was a taste difference! I know I will be waiting a long time to find out but I have a feeling it will be worth it!! I plan to use that one bottle for very specific cherry desserts! Thank you for your video! I will definitely wait to open mine now! I dated them and taped the box shut!! When I shake them, I shake the entire box! Lol

I love to hear you talk! You have such a pleasant voice and your instructions are very clear and easy to understand. Thanks for putting this on RU-vid! I may start making this for gifts for family! I have plenty of cooks and bakers in my family.

My Mom and sister have been making vanilla for years, however despite that, I never knew it takes 18 -24 months to give it it's strong vanilla marination . . . My Mom doesn't bake often so she has a giant vodka bottle of vanilla that she made 5-6 years ago . . . Thank you for sharing, I think I'll make some and gift it to my Baker friends

This video is very interesting, thank you!

I made this 18 months ago. Giving it out for Christmas gifts this year. Thanks.

She is just the cutest thing. I can’t wait until I have the space to store whatever I’d like to make in the future.

I'm never going back to store bought. Thank you so much

Wish I could come to your farmer's market, i would buy some of that vanilla!

Thank You 2024. My daughter gave me a few beans for Christmas! ❤

I've been doing and using extract this way for years!!! Love it. I use Kentucky Bourbon, Gray Goose vodka, and Jack Daniel's Whiskey for my 3 go to vanilla. I just use the bean and the liqueur. Slice the beans lengthwise put in qt jars fill with liquid, lid on, place on cool dark basement shelf and wait 6 months. Best choc chip. Cookies ever. (No liqueur taste either)

*Save the lids off mayonnaise jars, they work great*. I enjoyed learning this recipe. Making my own vanilla extract has been one of the many things on my bucket list for quite some time and now that I'm retired, I can start marking things off...and I'm starting with this. Thank you so much.

"And that's just the way it is folks!" I love this lady, great video!

I just hit the two year mark. Boy, is this vanilla wonderful.

Just a note....Anyone already in the liquor store isn't going to be judging you: it's only the people who would never ever for any reason go into a liquor store who will judge you. Thanks for the recipe!

The prices of everything has never went back down..

The longer I let my vanilla set, the more “alcoholic” and stronger it becomes. Love it!!

I'm ordering vanilla beans and making this ASAP! I just bought a cheaper bottle of pure vanilla extract that was over $5 and I bake a lot so I go through it fairly quickly. The flavor in the store bought stuff is acceptable but honestly, the better vanilla always tastes far better and takes my baked goods to a new level. Thank you!

Thank you so much for this video. My two-year vanilla extract project started today here in Finland. :)

I have bottles i started since the fall of 2013. Both Tahiti & Madagascar vanilla. Other than homemade yogurt, the vanilla was my 2nd most gratifying diy food project. No more wimpy store bought, though Costco is reasonable. The vanilla aroma is unmatched. I want to do lemoncello next.

I feel so blessed to have found you!!! You share your knowledge so sweetly. I want to be prepared for hard times. I feel like I’m sitting with my mom and learning the most valuable information that I will share with my kids. God bless you!

Yes! Excellent recipe. I gave small bottles to my neighbors and pint jars for family & close friends. Those small gifts have generated a lot of orders. Helps out mucho during these times. Blessed Holidays Everyone! ☮️

I have a stock of this vanilla two years in it’s development… great gifts for my fellow bakers thank you Angel

A couple years ago, my great-aunt gave my grandmother a jar of vanilla extract she made. In 2016 she took a small bottle of vodka and put some beans in it, wrote "Merry Christmas Theresea, from Cindy 2018" and let it sit. We just finished it a few months ago. :)

When I cook and use the bean itself, I scrape the out, the toss the outer potions into my 1/2 gallon sugar jars .

When l was in Madagascar five years ago l bought up many packages of vanilla, and have been making extract with brandy or rum, perfect👍👍

I remember my mother buying the beans cutting them lengthwise and putting the bean into the pure vanilla extract to make it stronger. She would never buy imitation vanilla and made me promise to never buy the imitation as well. I never knew you could make larger batches and let them "stew" for months/years for stronger vanilla. As I don't use that much vanilla, this time factor would be perfect for me. Gotta try this a.s.a.p.!

GREAT tips! Thank you! I have one for you, too... you can heat the beans in a TINY bit of boiling water (or heated alcohol, with proper ventilation) to re hydrate them, 10 - 15 min... should speed up the process considerably (you can incorporate the heated liquid so no loss)

And I was getting worried if my vanilla jars are too old to use. Only 10 months! Thank you so much for this video.

I have vanilla beans brewing for years in large bottles of: Vodka, White Rum, Dark Rum, Spiced Rum, and Whiskey. I've forgotten about them. I think they're almost 5 years old. They're tucked away in a closet. I just bought a half pound of Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans and will start more bottles. I didn't realize the flavor improves so much from aging. I think I need to try some in my next recipe.

It happens to be June when I am watching this so I'll do this soon to give as presents for 2021 Christmas presents! Excited!

It is a known fact, you're the best at makin' vanilla extract!

The short story on the bees and vanilla: When the explorers brought back vanilla to the Old World from Mexico, the royals loved it. But they couldn't grow it and didn't know why. It was actually pollinated by a bee that had evolved in a way just for that purpose. But Europeans didn't know that, and their bees weren't suited for the job. Then a young guy on Reunion figured out that it had to be done by hand, and vanilla production expanded. Those Indian Ocean countries you mentioned had the perfect weather and labor climate for vanilla production. So now Madagascar vanilla is prized, and flavors so many delicious food items, even chocolate ones. Consider that the pepper had a similar expansion. When most of the world's cuisines were bland, boiled dishes, Portuguese explorers introduced the pepper around the world. Pepper adapted to each new environment and contributed to the cuisines of West Africa, India (curry), and China. Paprika is a descendant of the Mexican pepper. England, who didn't trade with the Spanish and Portuguese explorer-nations, continued to have bland, boiled, boring dinners for a long time.

You are such an amazing lady! You explained the process so nicely that I'll never forget.. And you sounded so polite and sweet like a mother.❤

Wow, that’s a great idea! I’m going to talk to my wife about making this (she is the head baker). I figure if we made it around the same time every year, after a couple of years we would have a continuous supply, I’m already on that cycle with my red wine production. Klaus

You are an absolute GEM and a wonderful source of valuable information. Thank you for being so generous with your craft and experience, it’s really inspiring! Cheers from Canada 🙌🇨🇦

Great Information. I am going to do this with Bourbon. The Bourbon ages in Burnt Oak barrels and these barrels are loaded with vanillin, it is the primary component of flavoring Bourbon. So, using Bourbon as the alcohol constituent in making Vanilla Extract should be amazing.

I never even thought about making vanilla. This sounds incredible!

I’ve had a jar of “perpetual vanilla extract” going for a number of years now. I let mine sit for a very long time before I ever used it. I just keep topping it off with vodka & I added some new beans to it once.

I love how you say things as they are and you put things directly and very simply. I am a big fan!

I grow vanilla and the crops vary from year to year depending on nature. I also make my own extracts with the vanilla and cacao nibs from my farm. Great video information for people considering the cost of both crops.

I am going to do this. I have the patience and the desire! Thank you.

I have wanted to try making my own home made vanilla for ages! I always thought it'd be way to expensive, considering the price of vanilla beans. After watching your video, I realize that the price is really nominal compared to the price of only one bottle of real vanilla, in the stores! And how much you can make from one pack of vanilla beans was also an eye opener! A funny story about our local liquor store. My mom sent me to ours when I graduated high school, to celebrate my graduation. (You could drink at 18 way back then) Well, the owner, when I tried to buy a bottle of Vodka, told me to "Go home and come back with my mother!" I was 18 but I guess he didn't believe me! LOL! I was mortified! Good thing I've never been a drinker! Not then, not now. Anyhow, thank you for showing me that I can make vanilla and not so expensively as I always thought! I'll subscribe as I want to learn what else you can open my eyes to! :)

Looking forward to seeing all the great things you make on your own. Just discovered your channel and love the idea of being independent in whatever you can be.

Ok, I will come back next year to see how the rum one tastes :)

Thank you. I am making it today. ❤

4:47 "Those are the choices that people make." From the tone of her voice it is easy to tell that she thinks they a crappy choices. She is probably correct.

Loved your video. My 45 year old (Homicide Det) son and I can everything we are able to. We’ve also made many liqueurs. We both have small gardens at our own homes but, our friends give us so much by way of fruits and vegetables, we don’t have to buy much. I believe this is our next project! I love it. Thank you for all of your information. I don’t drink either but I LOVE a great vanilla!

I tried making vanilla for the first time a few months ago and it was a hit! Crazy how simple it is too❤️

You are a national treasure. Vanilla is so expensive these days. Thank you!

she's so adorable. I loved watching this video. going to make this.

Thanks a bunch!!! I am going to try this because I bake every week and I am soo tired of the supermarket versions. I don’t drink either but since it evaporates when baked, I am happy. Have a blessed week!!!

This was very exciting and I am going to start this today. Didn't even know you could do this! Thank you

This would make wonderful gifts for teachers

I started 2 jars 9/2019 its almost ready. Love your video I learned so much more.

You're adorable!! Thank you for sharing your recipe. I'll most definitely be making my own vanilla extract.

GREAT RECIPE, WHAT A GREAT PERSON YOU ARE, THANK YOU, FOR YOUR INFORMATION. HOPE TO TRY.