Where to Buy Vanilla Beans
ByI’m often asked where I recommend you buy vanilla beans to make homemade vanilla extract. You have checked into making homemade vanilla, right?! :) Ooh, it’s so delicious…and easy…and can save you a lot of money!
I recently began a new batch of homemade vanilla extract but since I don’t purchase vanilla beans very often, I didn’t have a “go-to” source for them. I did a little research, and liked Olive Nation as they appeared to have a high quality vanilla bean for a very reasonable price, plus they offered free shipping. So I ordered a pound of vanilla beans from Olive Nation.
When my vanilla beans arrived just a few short days later I was very, very impressed. The beans were shipped very promptly. They were packaged very nicely. The beans were excellent quality.
I thought to myself, “I like how these people do business. I’m going to contact them.”
So I did….and they agreed to give all of you a discount on vanilla beans!!! They already offer free shipping and reasonable prices, so for them to offer a 10% discount on top of that for Heavenly Homemaker’s readers is awfully nice, wouldn’t you think?
If you order your vanilla beans through Olive Nation and use the code: hhm2012 you’ll receive a 10% discount on any size order of vanilla beans. Plus free shipping. Plus receive prompt service. Plus receive excellent quality vanilla beans.
When I did the math on how much it would cost me to make a big batch of homemade vanilla using beans from Olive Nation and inexpensive vodka from the store…it ended up being around $1.65 per four ounces!!!!! That’s less than 1/3 of the price I would normally pay for a four ounce bottle of real vanilla extract!!! So, yes making homemade vanilla does save money. Plus the homemade vanilla you make using this method makes very strong vanilla…so you can use half of what a recipe calls for! More savings!!!
The process I use for making homemade vanilla takes about six months, but if you want to start a batch now and have it ready for Christmas gifts…it will still work (if you hurry and get it started!!)…it just won’t be quite as strong as if you’d given it the full six months to “extract”. I say go for it! Your family and friends will love it and you will have made them a wonderful gift at a very low cost to you.
I’d like to thank Olive Nation again for offering the coupon code (hhm2012) to all of Heavenly Homemakers readers. Be sure to check them out…I was very pleased with their service and prices and I think you will be too!
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Suhweet! Thanks so much!!! I made my first jug of homemade vanilla last year after reading your how to post and LOVE it! So worth the time and simple effort. :)
And thank you, Olive Nation!
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Making homemade vanilla can also help you with some extra cash. I made 2 gallons last year and this summer I took the vanilla I made and sold it at the farmers market. I took 24 bottles of 4 ounces and sold 21 the first time out of the shoot! I made homemade snickerdoodles to tempt everyone to try it out and it was a hit! I love homemade vanilla. Thanks so much Laura.
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Laura Reply:
August 19th, 2010 at 9:10 pm
Oh, I’m so glad to hear you had success selling your vanilla!!!
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I have some homemade vanilla extract “brewing…. or extracting” right now. I ordered from Olive Nation as well! You can smell the vanilla beans as soon as you open the mailer. They were awesome, fresh and very reasonably priced! I’ll definitely be using the code for my next order. Thanks :)
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YEAH!!!!!!!! I AM SO EXCITED!!!
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Could you share with us what bottling process or little bottles for giving you use? This sounds like a fun project – in more than one way…not sure I’ve ever bought alcohol before – unless mint liqueur counts :)
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Laura Reply:
August 18th, 2010 at 7:12 am
Here’s the link to explain where I buy bottles for packaging for gifts: http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/where-to-get-bottles-for-homemade-vanilla
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I just went to order some but I did not get free shipping – it was 6.49 for shipping… am I doing something wrong? Thanks.
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Jessica Bish Reply:
August 18th, 2010 at 7:27 am
I had ordered one extra item (some sea salt) and it upped my shipping… once I removed that it was free shipping. Sorry about any confusion!
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Once it’s made, how long does it last? Any special instructions on how to keep it “good” – refrigerated, for ex. Forgive me if this is already in your blog post w/ the details!
FIToriBLOG.com
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Laura Reply:
August 18th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
The vanilla will last for years!! You don’t have to refrigerate it, although it’s best kept in a dark place.
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I checked out their site but cannot find any info as to whether their spices and vanilla beans are irradiated or not. Once learning of this practice, I try to steer away from those that are as much as possible.
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Laura Reply:
August 18th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Ya know, I didn’t check on that when I talked to them. Sorry I’m not sure.
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Just order mine… thank you!!!
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Antoinette Reply:
August 18th, 2010 at 8:24 am
I meant orderED, I orderED mine… not “Laura, just order mine.” :-P
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Antoinette Reply:
August 21st, 2010 at 8:32 am
WOW… just got my beans in the mail yesterday. That was fast! I also just texted my husband and asked if he could bring home a gallon of vodka. I wonder what his response will be. ;-)
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Thanks for the information. My mouth is watering. Do you think a mint extract could be made by placing mint leaves in a jar and covering them with vodka? Does anyone have any ideas about this?
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Laura Reply:
August 18th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Ooh, I don’t know…that’s worth checking into!!
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Heather Reply:
April 19th, 2012 at 5:22 pm
yes. many herbal tinctures are made this way, and I know you can make both almond flavoring and int flavoring like that. :)
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Just ordered some now! thanks so much, Laura!
And the mint extract would be fantastic… might give that a try!
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How long is the code good for?
And do you use Bourbon Madagascar beans or Tahitian beans?
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Laura Reply:
August 18th, 2010 at 12:14 pm
The code is good through the rest of 2010!! :)
I used Madagascar (but made the vanilla with vodka instead of bourbon…planning to try bourbon next time just for fun!).
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Another idea is vanilla sugar. Because my daughter is allergic to corn and potatoes making extract is not a possibility but I love vanilla sugar. I use about half of what is called for in a recipe in vanilla sugar and it works great. It is also good in oatmeal, and coffee and everything I have ever tried it in.
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Thanks for telling us about Olive Nation. I need more vanilla beans. I love homemade vanilla! I add vanilla beans (cut open and cut in half) to a small bottle of vodka, shake daily for a couple of weeks, and I have great vanilla within a short amount of time. I learned it from the book Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron.
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Thanks so much, Laura. I ordered 16 beans. What a great price! Can’t wait for them to arrive and get to my Christmas gift making. I have a couple of gourmets in my family who just love homemade items.
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I ordered a batch of vanilla beans to make the vanilla and currently have vodka and bourbon varieties brewing – can’t wait for them to be ready. I have about half of the pkg. of beans left over and was wondering what the best thing to do with them would be … freeze? Any help would be appreciated!
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Laura Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 8:15 pm
According to Olive Nation, it’s best to store them sealed up in the bag they came in, or in another ziplock type bag. Then put them in a dark place, cool but NOT cold!!!
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I just ordered my vanilla beans! Thanks!
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I’ve just had a lovely time perusing through your blog. I read outloud your post on making vanilla. You had my husband, dd and me cracking up. I never knew what vanilla was made from. I’m thinking of doing this for Christmas. Do you fill a certain amount of bottles from the gallon? Numbers wise I was thinking it would fill 16 eight oz bottles but you might get some evaporation on the gallon I assume? Just thinking on it… Thanks for the link to the sale on beans.
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Laura Reply:
August 19th, 2010 at 9:11 pm
It doesn’t evaporate at all, at least in my experience. So you really are able to fill 16 eight ounce bottles.
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Pssst, they are offering 20% off vanilla beans with the code THANKS20 right now!
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Marie Reply:
November 24th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
Thank you Laura for your website and blog and all your encouragement in a variety of areas of homemaking! I use it throughout my day as I make bread and attempt to make things with 100% ww flour and feed my family more naturally and healthily (Is that a word?).
Thank you Rebecca so much for the THANKS20 code! It is good until tomorrow!! I just ordered a pound for $44 after the discount, (great price!) and the man at Olive Nation said a pound would have between 90-100 beans. I am excited to make my own vanilla extract, vanilla sugar and use beans to flavor coffee etc. I just paid $3.50 for 2 oz of vanilla extract at the grocery the other day & decided that it would be better all around to make my own. Can’t wait to go to WalMart for the vodka. PLanning to make it into gifts for teachers and others for next Christmas.
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You are very welcome! I got my first order of beans already and can’t wait to make some vanilla extract! :)
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If I was to make some vanilla extract now, it would be ready in April. Will it still be good to give as gifts at Christmas of 2012? How long will it stay fresh for?
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Laura Reply:
October 28th, 2011 at 1:02 pm
For years and years!! :)
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How many jars will this make?
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Laura Reply:
March 21st, 2012 at 6:19 am
It depends on how much you make, but when I make a gallon, that breaks down to roughly 16 – 8 ounce bottles or 32 – 4 ounce bottles.
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Thank you for this post! With the impending vanilla shortage, I wanted to get some vanilla beans for my ice cream recipes. Just ordered seven pods and got my 10% off and free shipping. THANKS!
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