Comments on: Making Homemade Vanilla Extract (aka…Why Laura Bought a Gallon of Vodka)

By: Laura

Laura — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:54:33 +0000

Thank you so much for pointing that out! I’ve contacted Olive Nation and they fixed the glitch, so the code should be working fine now. :)

By: Susan Slocter

Susan Slocter — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:38:01 +0000

Ordering vanilla beans thru Olive Nation, said discount code expired. Do you have a newer one? Can’t wait to make my vanilla!
Thanks

By: Heidi

Heidi — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:39:22 +0000

Hello Laura, thanks so much for this very easy idea that makes me feel like superwoman! (Sad, I know. I’ll raise my standards later. For now, I’m enjoying superwoman status). :-)

I have a question, I saw other recipes that call for many fewer beans with the same proof alcohol that have gotten great reviews. I tasted a friend’s that use one bean for half gallon of vodka. ONE BEAN! It was not as strong as store bought, but it tasted vanilla-ish. One bean to 40 beans is quite a jump, though and I was wondering what you thought about that.

Have you tried other amounts of vanilla bean or do you know others that have and if so, what was the result? I can’t get this wrong, my superwoman-ness depends on it.

Thanks!!

By: Laura

Laura — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:12:20 +0000

Yikes, maybe but I’m not sure. Sounds like it might be time to go ahead and strain out the beans and bottle your vanilla.

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:46:18 +0000

Laura:

My vanilla project is developing a cream like substance…is this the alcohol reacting with the moisture in the beans? since Grade A beans have a higher moisture content than Grade B.

By: LindseyforLaura@HHM

LindseyforLaura@HHM — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 19:23:51 +0000

You can use the bottles the vodka comes in. Laura jut prefers her jars! :)

By: Lori G

Lori G — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 18:25:49 +0000

You can use bourbon in place of vodka….a little difference in the
final flavor. Google “homemade bourbon vanilla”…

By: Elise

Elise — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 18:21:12 +0000

in the pic, you’re combining the liquor and beans in a glass jar-does it need to be glass or can we just use the plastic bottle the vodka came in? thanks!!

By: Kimberley Blair

Kimberley Blair — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 18:20:59 +0000

Laura- or anyone who may know, I buy Mexican vanilla some times (live in the south- so its much cheaper & stronger than store bought) It says on the bottle- “mexican burbon” I am wondering if you can make the HOMEMADE VANILLA from burbon rather than vodka? & what the difference in tasted would be if any? Anyone know or have tried this? Thanks Bunches!!!

By: Laurie

Laurie — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 15:24:17 +0000

What is the shelf life for the finished vanilla?