Vanilla Extract

I like researching how to make expensive items instead of buying them. It is a hobby of mine. One essential that I have recently made in quantities that I could sell is Vanilla Extract. It is easy and fun! 

You take a bottle of Vodka or Rum, you put a pile of Vanilla Beans into the bottle and put it in the dark for 3-4 months, or more for an especially strong batch. 

There are multiple types of Vanilla beans: the ones that I have been getting are Madagascar Vanilla Beans. They are supposed to be gourmet because people tend to prefer the Madagascar flavor more than others. But there are others, like Tahitian and Mexican. They all taste like Vanilla, but some have different hints of undertone because they come from a different jungle orchid. 

That is right: Vanilla Beans come from a jungle orchid! I found that out while reading up on orchids. I have several books on them and found out a few months ago while reading up on types of Orchids so I could see about the care of two Orchids that I had bought at the store on clearance.

I will say this: sometimes buying a plant that is on clearance is actually bad idea. The orchids had root rot and slowly died over the next six months from not being cared for enough before they came to me. That being said, I’ve also rescued a number of plants from being tossed at the store and revived them. 

Right now, I have 8-2 ounce bottles of Vanilla in a box if anyone would like to buy some. They are filled to the brim with Madagascar Vanilla that I started soaking back in August. I will say, I had ten beans in there, so it has a nice aroma and flavor. I’m also looking for the rest of my beans (I ordered more.) so I can start soaking another batch. I am looking for $7 per 2oz bottle, which will have better quality (more powerful) than you can find in the store but will cost about the same amount. I also have some 4oz jars of Madagascar Vanilla that has been soaked in Rum instead that are $15. Great for making Rum Balls at Christmas!

Let me know if you are interested!

Corrie