Are you in the process of making Homemade Vanilla Extract, like I am? Have you shooked, shaken, shaked, shooken…um…have you given your homemade vanilla a shake in a while?
If not, might I encourage you to get out the vanilla that you are brewing and give it a good shake? It’s all a part of the lovely extracting process.
There, now wasn’t that fun?
Carry on.
And if you aren’t making Homemade Vanilla, I highly encourage you to look into it following these very simple directions on how to make homemade vanilla extract! It’s super easy and very fun. Then you, too, can say that you got your vanilla shaked, shooken…{cough}…that you shook your vanilla. :)
Rachel E. says
I have given it a shake! Thanks. I can’t wait to use it. It won’t be ready until June. Boo!
Hannah says
Thanks so much for the reminder! I started a batch a week and a half ago and haven’t shaken it yet. I was planning to do it at least once a week … which brings me to the question – how often do you recommend shaking it?
I am so glad you posted about making it at home … I love to use vanilla in everything and I hate buying it! I’m so excited to have my own batch ready in several couple months!
Laura says
I recommend that you shake it once a week, but I rarely remember to do it that often!
Jenn P. says
Do you know how long the vanilla lasts once it is ready?
Laura says
It will stay good for several years! :)
Susan F says
Is it strange that I think that bottle of vanilla looks beautiful?
Laura says
It ranks right up there with a beautiful loaf or fresh bread, or a clean counter top, or…
In other words, I don’t think that’s strange at all. :) So pretty!
Tara says
Can’t wait to give mine out as Mother’s Day gifts!
Merry Jo says
Funny, I shook mine today for the first time in a while – BEFORE I read your post! This just made me chuckle! :) I can’t wait til mine’s ready too! BTW, I know you’re supposed to let it “extract” for at least 6 months… Any benefit in letting it sit in there longer, like 8, 10, 12 months? Just wondering… Also, you may have mentioned this before, but what do you do with all of the beans and “stuff” you strain out? Thank you so much for everything! Love, LOVE your blog! :)
Laura says
If you leave it longer than 6 months, it will be fine – just be sure to continue to shake it well!
I typically use the beans I strain out to make ice cream (I dry the used beans, then grind them up). Or, I use double the amount of used beans to make a new batch of vanilla.
Ann says
Thank you for the reminder. I know it has been more than a week for our vanilla! We ran out and had to purchase some at the store. I can’t wait for it to be ready!!
Kate says
In Canada alcohol is expensive…I think it would be $25 for a 750 ml bottle of vodka PLUS the cost of vanilla beans. Not exactly very frugal!
Angelia Johnson says
I pulled mine out last night I have some still brewing at over 1 year! I love that it smells so nice. I ordered more vanilla beans and am waiting for them I got 100! Planing on vanilla sugar and lots of extract!I go to our military exchange and get a bottle for 8 or 9 dollars and order my beans so not to much for us. I also bought smaller jars and have them for gifts.I start it in Dec. for the following year.