Vanilla Facts

Linda Bittle

I thought this was interesting.

https://www.eater.com/2021/7/22/22585676/what-is-vanilla-flavoring-how-to-use-cooking-recipes

kbmbillups1

Thanks! I learned a lot. I had no idea vanilla beans came from orchids!

Lisa K

Thanks @Mary Linda Bittle, West Plains, Missouri great article I now understand why vanilla is expensive and have a new respect for it!

vickeym

I joined a vanilla co-op a while ago. They offer several types of vanilla beans and I am having fun experimenting. Though it takes a long time before the vanilla is ready.

My newest is waiting at the post office to be picked up today....

 "Ugandan beans have flavor and aroma notes of chocolate and smoke. They have more depth than other varieties. (V. planifolia, Bourbon Cured)"

I have Madagascar beans brewing right now and just ordered:

"Indonesian Notes of cinnamon, cream & butter. These beans are the most “common” flavor of vanilla. Extract made with these beans will give the familiar flavor bought in stores. (V. planifolia, Bourbon Cured) 

There are some I would like to get but even at the co-op discounts I cannot afford them. The Hawaiian beans are $6 each and it takes an ounce per 8 ounces of alcohol.

dipat2005

@Mary Linda Bittle, West Plains, Missouri thanks for the link. I learned several things that will be helpful.

Linda Bittle

I thought it was helpful to understand why the price has gone up so much. Sounds like it is a hard crop to grow. Makes me pour out the bottle I have with extra care not to spill!

LaurieLovesLearning

It sounds as though the price might climb yet again. This is from my source that has a good sale right now. I have enough from their last sale (thank goodness) that I don't have to order more.

They used to have a variety of sources too, but are only focusing on these at the moment. I would live to get the ground beans again. They are more stable in baking & look & taste awesome in fruit salad, but the whole extract beans are way cheaper!

https://vanillafoodcompany.ca/vanilla-beans-madagascar-bourbon-0-5-lb-approx-50-beans/

JennyT Upstate South Carolina

I'd love to know how many beans and how much alcohol I need to make extract. And an idea on how long to let it set.🤔

Because ideally I'd rather get a bunch of beans and a large bottle of alcohol and do it that way then to put it in a mason jar. In the fall and winter there's a bunch of baking that goes on in my house, and boy do we go through the vanilla extract.

LaurieLovesLearning

@JennyT Upstate South Carolina it is 6 beans:1 cup vodka for a true extract. You leave it for 6 weeks. Of course, the longer you leave it, the better it is. I leave the beans in.

When beans were cheaper, I even made a double strength extract once. Of course, I used 1/2 the amount of extract called for in recipes.

There is a good chance that with this sale above, even with the flat rate shipping, you could save a lot of money because of exchange. You can check currency differences on xe.com.

I make mine in a mason jar & funnel it into an old vodka bottle for use. If you just put the beans right into a new bottle, you will overflow it. ;)

JennyT Upstate South Carolina

@LaurieLovesLearning I went to the site you shared and ordered some beans.😁

So excited for them to come and I can make my own extract. Thanks for the recipe.😍

LaurieLovesLearning

@JennyT Upstate South Carolina

Fantastic! They are a great company and I signed up for emails. I have ordered other spices from them and they arrive in good time and in good shape. I think the quality is better than anything else that I could find locally.

Remember to shake your extract daily (just like an herbal tincture) in that 6 weeks.

I also put the end date on the jar so I know when it's ready. Then I celebrate! Haha