vanilla extract

[hippiemommaof4]

I have always purchased this even though I do know how to make my own, but mccormick is now adding corn syrup to its vanilla extract and I usually read labels and have never seen it in there until this last bottle I purchased over Thanksgiving. I am so tired of companies doing this...I have noticed since the economy is bad that not only are more of them doing this but obviously the packaging is different and smaller in some cases. They also used to use glass bottles to package the extract in and now they are plastic soooo we will no longer be buying it.

[tinuviel_k]

I am making a gallon of vanilla extract this year! I wanted to make it for Christmas gifts, and also have a quart or so left for my own use. Since it lasts literally forever I figured I'd make a ton all at once since it is so much cheaper that way. I bought a pound of fair trade vanilla beans for about $50 (132 beans), which was enough beans for my gallon of single-fold vanilla, a huge batch of vanilla sugar (also for gifts) with a few dozen beans left over for other projects.

[bstandlee]

Originally Posted by tinuviel_k

I am making a gallon of vanilla extract this year! I wanted to make it for Christmas gifts, and also have a quart or so left for my own use. Since it lasts literally forever I figured I'd make a ton all at once since it is so much cheaper that way. I bought a pound of fair trade vanilla beans for about $50 (132 beans), which was enough beans for my gallon of single-fold vanilla, a huge batch of vanilla sugar (also for gifts) with a few dozen beans left over for other projects.

I have always wanted to do that! I, too, noticed last time I bought vanilla extract that corn syrup was in almost all brands. Even if it weren't for DS's corn allergy I would not buy it! Maybe it's time to make our own.

tinuviel_k, have you priced out what your homemade version costs for a similar size that you would buy at the store? Or how much for the whole gallon?

[paxye]

I have been making mine for a while now, I bake so much that I go through vanilla like crazy and paying 10$ for a small bottle was getting way too expensive...

I buy my vanilla beans from the Organic Vanilla Bean CO. for about 40$ for a pound..

Making Vanilla Extract is just so easy and cheap that way!

[paxye]

Originally Posted by bstandlee

tinuviel_k, have you priced out what your homemade version costs for a similar size that you would buy at the store? Or how much for the whole gallon?

Not the pp, but for me buying a small bottle of vanilla (80ml was about 10$)

I can make a cup of vanilla (250ml) (1 cup vodka @ about 5$ a cup + 4-5 beans 2$) So about 7$ for 250ml of vanilla extract that tastes way better than any of the store-bought stuff)

[Ola_]

I'm curious to read this. I just picked up a bottle of extract at Costco yesterday - it was a very good amount for the price ($7 something CDN for 16 oz/473 ml) and Kirkland stuff has a pretty good reputation. I wonder how it will compare to the no-name extract I've been using.

[hippiemommaof4]

see we are limited here. i shop at the commissary because it's cheaper since we are military and we only have stores like walmart and a few other major chains out in town. the only healthfood store is one that i frequent and there arent many food items. so any beans i could get local would be in a jar from the same spice companies in grocery stores and they are 9 $ for a few pods ugggh, the alcohol is the easy part lol.

nak

[paxye]

Organic Vanilla Bean Co ships worldwide and th prices are great... it cost 7$ of shipping to Canada from the US, which is often unheard of...

http://www.organic-vanilla.com/servlet/StoreFront

[hippiemommaof4]

thanks for the link mama!!!!!

[journeymom]

Holy cow, would you look at that. My bottle of McCormick's pure vanilla extract has corn syrup in it. And yes, it's a plastic bottle, never used to be. Wow.

Cooks Illustrated did a comparison just a few months ago and McCormick won out over supposedly high end vanillas in the grocery store. So they weren't comparing to Kirkland, or artisan or Mexican vanilla but the other brands in a basic big grocery store. McCormick was just vanilla and alcohol, nothing else.

Bet CI did their comparison before McCormick changed their product.

How sad.

[cristeen]

If you don't want to make it, check out restaurant supply stores. I picked up a quart for $15 a few years ago, just used the last of it the other day.

[MMGerard]

I never thought of making my own vanilla extract, but you all make it sound so easy I'd like to give it a try! Is there a rule of thumb for the ratio of beans to vodka? How long does it take? Anything else I need to know? Thanks!!!

[paxye]

Here is a post on my blog about how I make it...

This was before I found cheaper (and better) vanilla pods

http://paxye.com/blog/mmmm-vanilla/

[ian'smommaya]

i love making my own vanilla, it is just fantastic gifts too.

[Liquesce]

You can also use other liquors than vodka, FWIW ... my dad uses brandy for a little bit of a different flavor.

[Princess ConsuelaB]

I use brandy for my vanilla, I like the richness it gives.

I can't believe the prices you guys are getting on vanilla beans, it costs me $9-11 locally for TWO beans!

[kjbrown92]

www.saffron.com is the cheapest I've found vanilla beans. I make vanilla extract, almond extract. And at the moment I'm making kahlua (has some vanilla beans in it) and apricot brandy (maybe I should put some vanilla beans in there too). I use Ciroc vodka (made out of grapes) or Luksusowa vodka (made out of potatoes) because we don't do most grains due to food intolerances. I'm wondering how to make a still....

[treemom2]

Originally Posted by hippiemommaof4

see we are limited here. i shop at the commissary because it's cheaper since we are military and we only have stores like walmart and a few other major chains out in town. the only healthfood store is one that i frequent and there arent many food items. so any beans i could get local would be in a jar from the same spice companies in grocery stores and they are 9 $ for a few pods ugggh, the alcohol is the easy part lol.

nak

Does your commissary get the Spice Island brand around the holidays? Ours does and it doesn't contain corn syrup. I'm going to order some vanilla beans from one of the sites listed and make my own!!! I'm so excited!!!! My DH wants me to wait until we use up the 10 bottles of Spice Island (we stock up when it's available) and the bottle of Kirkland my friend just gave me from her last visit to Costco. So, maybe after the holidays

[Adamsmama]

We have been using Kirkland Brand (Costco) and have liked it (no corn syrup, either).

[gcgirl]

This Xmas my standard gift to friends is a vial of organic vanilla beans to which you add your own alcohol to make extract.

I didn't know about the corn syrup until I read this thread, but now I'm glad I bought myself some beans also.