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The Kitchen Table

Could we revisit homemade vanilla?

11 years ago

I have the beans, and the bottles I ordered weeks ago finally came yesterday. Shipping was horrendous. Now if someone could guide me through the next part..... It's only a little over 3 months until you know what. I don't remember how long it has to steep? TIA

jude

Comments (7)

donna_loomis
11 years ago
After reading about it here, I went online and found many different instructions, with varying ratios of vanilla beans to alcohol. And some mentioned watering down the alcohol as well. Jude, I'm also making these for Christmas presents, so I wanted to start early. Most sites varied between 30 - 60 days to completion, but all stated "the longer, the better".

I ended up using 30 vanilla beans to a quart of vodka.
azzalea
11 years ago
I put 15 good quality very fresh, split beans in a 750 ml. bottle of decent vodka. (you have to remove about 1/2-1 cup of the vodka so the beans will fit, don't overfill--if the vodka is up into the neck of the bottle, the bottle can explode). I try to let mine steep at least 3-4 months, but, in a pinch, after a month, you'll have something you can use if needed.

I'd suggest making the batch in the vodka bottle, then, when it's ready, you can rebottle into the gift bottles you purchased. That way you can carefully decant off just the clean vanilla, without all the bits, pieces and seeds that will be in it (I use it as is, but for a gift, you want it clear, I'm sure). Just 'snag' some of the beans with a long, clean crochet hook so you can add one to each gift bottle. If I'm not sure when my recipients will be using my vanilla, after bottling it, and screwing on the lids, I dip the top of the bottle into melted beeswax--seals it, smells good and looks very nice.
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Empty containers are expensive. Check your local dollar store. Maybe you will find a product you could empty out and use. I found something 6 for a dollar that suited me for a vinegar. The product was gross. Some sort of sugar lemon drink i emptied out but the container was perfect. Even better to find something useful and edible to empty. I would think a cheap ish vodka or rum would be fine. The vanilla bean should be the quality. A fabric square top tied with a raffia ribbon? A label or tag explaining... I would probably have no idea except someone gifted me this last year. The tag is helpful as it says to keep the bottle topped off and the beans submerged. This is an 8oz bottle with three beans but i think 4oz would be fine with single bean? Or cut the bean in half to fit.
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jude31
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks, guys. I'll try to get started this week. I'm trying to get a bead on gifts from the kitchen that I plan to make. The Spicy Wine Mustard I made last year was a hit and I plan to make some Smoky Chipotle Ketchup soon. Annie's Salsa is very popular too.

Azzalea, do you melt beeswax in a double boiler? I've never done that.

jude
azzalea
11 years ago
Usually a 'homemade' double boiler. I put the beeswax in a very clean, very dry can (leftover from some food or other), and place that in a pan with hot water over very low heat until it's melted. That way, I don't have a waxy double boiler to clean when I'm done.
jude31
Original Author
11 years ago
I thought that might be the case. Thanks a lot.
jude31
Original Author
11 years ago
I thought that might be the case. Thanks a lot.
jude31
Original Author
11 years ago
Sorry 'bout the double post.

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