thefoodlessprocessed

Commercial pure vanilla extract is made from vanilla beans and alcohol. The beans are soaked in a solution of alcohol and water to extract the vanilla flavour. This homemade vanilla extract is made by soaking vanilla beans in brandy.

The longer the beans soak, the stronger becomes the extract’s flavour and aroma. However, thefoodlessprocessed has used it with good results within days of making a bottle. The beans are replaced infrequently: when the vanilla flavour or aroma noticeably weakens, or the beans lighten in colour.

To read more about the less processed ingredient option, follow this link: Vanilla.

Equipment

• a 4-ounce Clear Glass Bottle with a resealable cap
• a small Funnel is optional.

Ingredients

• a small pack of Organic Vanilla Beans (Store the unused beans in the freezer.)
• A bottle of less expensive French brandy

Making the Extract

• Place two beans in the bottle.
• Fill the bottle with brandy to cover the beans.
• Seal the bottle. (thefoodlessprocessed has used the extract with good results within several days of bottling.)
• Replenish the brandy to cover the beans whenever you use some of the extract.
• The beans should be changed infrequently–whenever the aroma or flavour seems noticeably diminished or the colour of the beans fades.