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How To Make Your Own Vanilla Extract
April 5, 2021
In this article I'm going to show you how to make your own Vanilla Extract
As we know, vanilla extract is expensive at the grocery store, you can make it a lot cheaper at home. Some store bough brands aren't even made with real vanilla!
It's super easy, only two ingredients, and it won't take you any time at all to make. You have to wait a long time, but it is worth the wait once you've made it yourself.
You can use bourbon, rum or vodka. Vodka is my favorite spirit to use to make my vanilla extract. My favorite two brands are either Grey Goose Vodka or the organic brand Topo.
What you want to do is have your jars sanitized and ready to go. I also use my kitchen scale to weigh my beans. Let's go ahead and get started.
My Vanilla Extract Recipe
Materials
Sanitized jars of your choice
8 oz of spirits of your choice
1 oz of vanilla beans or approximately 6 beans
Small food scale (optional)
Step 1:
Cut your vanilla beans into small 1/2 inch pieces because then you get more surface area and it tends to extract a little faster.
Step 2:
Add your cut beans to 8 oz of your spirits of choice
Step 3:
Store in a dark cupboard for 1 year and rotate every few weeks. You can use after three months of storage but it will get more bold and richer and extract more flavors if you wait longer.
*you always want to use a spirit between 70-100 proof. If you use a higher proof alcohol then your beans will dry out and you will not get a full quality extract.
Its Worth The Wait
You can use it after about three months, but to get the full extract, 12 months is recommended. Its is a long wait, but it is worth it!
Make sure you write down the date and type of vodka and beans used on your lid so you can replicate your recipe in the future.
If you'd like more help with your recipes you can click here to subscribe to my email list and if you'd like to learn more about Sunshine State Vanilla and getting your own Vanilla plants click here.
Favorite Body Oil Formula We all have heard that our skin is our largest organ. I truly believe this and want to emphasize how important our skin is and its role in our immune system. Our skin naturally produces oils that protect us from harmful bacteria and exposure. Our current way of life we practice washing our bodies and our hands often, washing off lots of our body’s naturally occurring oils. So my favorite practice is to replenish our skin with a nourishing body oil made out of powerful and antioxidant plant oils. After I take a shower I want to lock in any moisture and supply a layer of protection with these oils. When I apply this to my skin I automatically feel uplifted and renewed. Its a simple self care practice that goes a long way in supporting our overall wellbeing. You can also pair it with dry brushing for an extra support to your lymphatic system. When I add a citrus essential oil like orange (which does not have any photosensitizing concerns) and vanilla CO2 the aroma is almost intoxicating, so warm and comforting. The aroma alone can bring brightness to a cold winter day. Organic Jojoba Oil 6oz Simmondsia Chinensis Jojoba is considered a liquid wax and not a true oil. Jojoba has been touted as the oil most similar to the oils our natural skin produce. This oil/wax is known to help seal and protect skin from scraps and cuts. It has the ability to maintain moisture while allowing the skin to breathe because it is so light and dissolvable. The alpha, delta, and gamma tocopherols found in jojoba are all forms of natural vitamin E, which have been shown to eliminate free radicals. Wonderful for dry aging skin types also noncomedogenic and great for balancing oils in all different skin types. Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil 1oz. Hippophae Rhamnoides The latin meaning of this plant name is “shiny horse” because the story goes in greek history is the horses that ate the fruit had beautifully shiny coats. It is still considered food and medicine across Europe. Sea Buckthorn Seed oil is an incredible healing oil and has the ability to regenerate cells on the skin. Highly nutrient dense and full of healthy omegas. It is also high in carotenes and carotenoids which will help prevent sun damage the skin Red Raspberry Seed Oil 1oz Rubus Idaeus Antioxidant powerhouse with a beautiful faint raspberry scent. Exceptionally light and absorbs easily into the skin, non comedogenic. High in vitamin E and provitamin A. Has been shown to have some natural SPF value and has been shown to reduce and repair oxidative stress (sun damage) on the skin. Orange Essential Oil 10-15 drops Vanilla 2-4 drops of CO2 extract with a CO2 extract you will have a nice strong vanilla aroma but a cheaper way at home would be to infuse your jojoba oil with 2-3 vanilla beans in a warm pot or double boiler. Slice your bean lengthwise and scrape out the seeds then dice your beans up and include this in your oil. You can strain out after letting the beans meld for 6-8 weeks with some cheesecloth. Some other essential oils that blend well with vanilla if you want to change up your body oil per season. Spice oils like cardamom, and ginger Citrus oils like neroli and orange (I always recommend non phototoxic citrus oils like tangerine, mandarin and orange) Mint oils like peppermint and spearmint Floral oils like lavender, rose and ylang ylang
Vanilla Bean Walnut Oatmeal I love a breakfast that fills me up and is hearty. Oatmeal is packed with fiber and high in nutrients. This makes for a tasty, fulfilling breakfast! You can heat it up for a warm bowl of oatmeal or serve it cold like Ive had in Sweden like a cereal with dried fruits and nuts. Either way you will be satisfied and ready for the day! I enjoy my oatmeal with crushed walnuts or almonds. Flax seeds and chia with a dash of vanilla powder for added antioxidants and that wonderful vanilla flavor. Vanilla powder is extremely high in antioxidants - 3 x the amount as pomegranate and blueberries without any sugar! Ingredients Think cut gluten free organic oats Walnuts Flax Chia seeds Vanilla powder- I like to buy mine here. www.baktoflavor.com Maple syrup (optional)
During the 2020 pandemic my job in the Essential Oil Sourcing Industry became difficult and highlighted some of the challenges with trying to get large quantities of natural products from other countries. During my research I found out that the Vanilla Industry has had its share of complications (even prior to 2020) and has driven up the price in a market that wants to go "all natural" and sustainable, making vanilla very hard to source. This highly sought after flavoring has become rare and extremely expensive. This led me to a conversation with a professor at the University of Florida with whom has been researching and working with Vanilla plantifolia in Florida for many years. Thru research and plant selection he has accomplished a very productive and highly prolific Vanilla Plantifolia that is been growing successfully in Southern Florida. I decided this was a good opportunity to bring a new domestic commodity and opportunity to Florida growers. This is not an opportunity isolated to Florida, growing in other tropical regions or climate controlled environments are possible. We just believe that growing in a tropical climate with an existing native bee to pollinate, makes for an easy growing opportunity. I moved forward and begin the propagation of his Vanilla thru cell cultures in a laboratory and am offering this opportunity to other farmers. Thru this process I have learned a lot on how this very efficient type of propagation works and the benefits of doing this. The lab my Vanilla plants are growing in has imported a lot of its equipment and knowledge from the commercial growing industry in Holland. For example, viruses are common in orchids and can wipe out an entire crop. Our plants being propagated in a sterile lab are screened for viruses prior to growing and where we can select the strongest plant to further grow. They will be guaranteed virus free when ready to ship. They then will move to greenhouses that are temperature controlled and where they cool, heat and water with recycled rain water. All a very sustainable process. My "mother" plant (original cuttings) are then being stored in a lab to hold and further propagate as needed, where they are currently researching cryogenics for long term storage capabilities. This process is truly amazing! I have enjoyed learning so much and envision incredible opportunities for farmers interested in expanding on their current farms or new farmers looking for a new niche commodity. We are the pioneers and trailblazers of bringing this new industry to Florida.
Favorite Body Oil Formula We all have heard that our skin is our largest organ. I truly believe this and want to emphasize how important our skin is and its role in our immune system. Our skin naturally produces oils that protect us from harmful bacteria and exposure. Our current way of life we practice washing our bodies and our hands often, washing off lots of our body’s naturally occurring oils. So my favorite practice is to replenish our skin with a nourishing body oil made out of powerful and antioxidant plant oils. After I take a shower I want to lock in any moisture and supply a layer of protection with these oils. When I apply this to my skin I automatically feel uplifted and renewed. Its a simple self care practice that goes a long way in supporting our overall wellbeing. You can also pair it with dry brushing for an extra support to your lymphatic system. When I add a citrus essential oil like orange (which does not have any photosensitizing concerns) and vanilla CO2 the aroma is almost intoxicating, so warm and comforting. The aroma alone can bring brightness to a cold winter day. Organic Jojoba Oil 6oz Simmondsia Chinensis Jojoba is considered a liquid wax and not a true oil. Jojoba has been touted as the oil most similar to the oils our natural skin produce. This oil/wax is known to help seal and protect skin from scraps and cuts. It has the ability to maintain moisture while allowing the skin to breathe because it is so light and dissolvable. The alpha, delta, and gamma tocopherols found in jojoba are all forms of natural vitamin E, which have been shown to eliminate free radicals. Wonderful for dry aging skin types also noncomedogenic and great for balancing oils in all different skin types. Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil 1oz. Hippophae Rhamnoides The latin meaning of this plant name is “shiny horse” because the story goes in greek history is the horses that ate the fruit had beautifully shiny coats. It is still considered food and medicine across Europe. Sea Buckthorn Seed oil is an incredible healing oil and has the ability to regenerate cells on the skin. Highly nutrient dense and full of healthy omegas. It is also high in carotenes and carotenoids which will help prevent sun damage the skin Red Raspberry Seed Oil 1oz Rubus Idaeus Antioxidant powerhouse with a beautiful faint raspberry scent. Exceptionally light and absorbs easily into the skin, non comedogenic. High in vitamin E and provitamin A. Has been shown to have some natural SPF value and has been shown to reduce and repair oxidative stress (sun damage) on the skin. Orange Essential Oil 10-15 drops Vanilla 2-4 drops of CO2 extract with a CO2 extract you will have a nice strong vanilla aroma but a cheaper way at home would be to infuse your jojoba oil with 2-3 vanilla beans in a warm pot or double boiler. Slice your bean lengthwise and scrape out the seeds then dice your beans up and include this in your oil. You can strain out after letting the beans meld for 6-8 weeks with some cheesecloth. Some other essential oils that blend well with vanilla if you want to change up your body oil per season. Spice oils like cardamom, and ginger Citrus oils like neroli and orange (I always recommend non phototoxic citrus oils like tangerine, mandarin and orange) Mint oils like peppermint and spearmint Floral oils like lavender, rose and ylang ylang
Vanilla Bean Walnut Oatmeal I love a breakfast that fills me up and is hearty. Oatmeal is packed with fiber and high in nutrients. This makes for a tasty, fulfilling breakfast! You can heat it up for a warm bowl of oatmeal or serve it cold like Ive had in Sweden like a cereal with dried fruits and nuts. Either way you will be satisfied and ready for the day! I enjoy my oatmeal with crushed walnuts or almonds. Flax seeds and chia with a dash of vanilla powder for added antioxidants and that wonderful vanilla flavor. Vanilla powder is extremely high in antioxidants - 3 x the amount as pomegranate and blueberries without any sugar! Ingredients Think cut gluten free organic oats Walnuts Flax Chia seeds Vanilla powder- I like to buy mine here. www.baktoflavor.com Maple syrup (optional)
During the 2020 pandemic my job in the Essential Oil Sourcing Industry became difficult and highlighted some of the challenges with trying to get large quantities of natural products from other countries. During my research I found out that the Vanilla Industry has had its share of complications (even prior to 2020) and has driven up the price in a market that wants to go "all natural" and sustainable, making vanilla very hard to source. This highly sought after flavoring has become rare and extremely expensive. This led me to a conversation with a professor at the University of Florida with whom has been researching and working with Vanilla plantifolia in Florida for many years. Thru research and plant selection he has accomplished a very productive and highly prolific Vanilla Plantifolia that is been growing successfully in Southern Florida. I decided this was a good opportunity to bring a new domestic commodity and opportunity to Florida growers. This is not an opportunity isolated to Florida, growing in other tropical regions or climate controlled environments are possible. We just believe that growing in a tropical climate with an existing native bee to pollinate, makes for an easy growing opportunity. I moved forward and begin the propagation of his Vanilla thru cell cultures in a laboratory and am offering this opportunity to other farmers. Thru this process I have learned a lot on how this very efficient type of propagation works and the benefits of doing this. The lab my Vanilla plants are growing in has imported a lot of its equipment and knowledge from the commercial growing industry in Holland. For example, viruses are common in orchids and can wipe out an entire crop. Our plants being propagated in a sterile lab are screened for viruses prior to growing and where we can select the strongest plant to further grow. They will be guaranteed virus free when ready to ship. They then will move to greenhouses that are temperature controlled and where they cool, heat and water with recycled rain water. All a very sustainable process. My "mother" plant (original cuttings) are then being stored in a lab to hold and further propagate as needed, where they are currently researching cryogenics for long term storage capabilities. This process is truly amazing! I have enjoyed learning so much and envision incredible opportunities for farmers interested in expanding on their current farms or new farmers looking for a new niche commodity. We are the pioneers and trailblazers of bringing this new industry to Florida.
