Madagascar Bourbon Grade B vanilla beans.Grade B beans, on the other hand, have a lower moisture content which makes them ideal for making extract. Grade A beans are more moist and plump, which makes them ideal for gourmet cooking and pastry making. Most vanilla extracts sold in grocery stores are made from Madagascar beans, but they’re all wonderful. Unless you are a supertaster who can distinguish between a cup of coffee from Brazil and one from Ethiopia, I recommend going with whatever beans sound good to you and are within your budget.

Here’s my take: The rich flavor we associate with vanilla is present in all of them, and while the country of origin does impact the final product it’s a relatively small difference. Or maybe the sweet, floral Tahitian vanilla bean instead? You might be wondering if it’s better to go with the creamy, bold Madagascar vanilla bean or the rich, smokey Mexican vanilla bean. Making your own vanilla extract is a super simple process, but if you’ve ever read up on it before you may have felt overwhelmed by all the different vanilla bean options out there. Some of My Favorite Recipes That Use Vanilla Extract.Free Download: “Homemade Vanilla Extract” Label Template.Tips for Packaging DIY Homemade Vanilla Extract As A Gift.How To Make Homemade Vanilla Extract (Infusion Method).Later in this article I’ll cover how to package it beautifully for gifting (including links to everything I used), plus answers to FAQs about reusing vanilla beans, making an alcohol-free version, and more.įirst, though, let’s talk about selecting your ingredients. 80 proof vodka, bourbon, rum, or other alcohol.If you love the idea of a handmade holiday season but dread the thought of a bunch of unfinished projects, homemade vanilla extract is for you!

I’m planning to give some away for the holidays this year along with homemade lotion bars and a few other goodies. Of course, I had very different plans than the cashier probably guessed – homemade vanilla extract! Not only is it more delicious than store-bought, it’s far more affordable. Have you ever wandered into a liquor store with a toddler in tow at eleven in the morning, plopped down a bottle of vodka on the counter and smiled? It yields quite an interesting response, I assure you.

Homemade vanilla extract infusion kit