(video courtesy of www.allrecipes.com)

We did a post on How to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract in a previous post. However, a picture is worth a thousand words and a video is worth a thousand-thousand(?) words. So while going through some of the posts on the web I have found a simple yet comprehensive video in how to make vanilla extract.

The video is comprehensive and direct to the point, however, there are some details that it does not address. Though it does not matter if we are going to use the concoction personally, in order for us to actually call it vanilla extract and not vanilla essence, there are a few FDA guidelines  we have to follow. The difference in how we cut the vanilla is almost a non factor.

All in all, the guideline requires us to use 100 grams of vanilla beans to 1 liter of no less that 35% alcohol. In terms of ounces and gallons, that is about 13.35 ounces per gallon. In hindsight we recommend 10% more vanilla beans than what is call for.  Here is a link to a free downloadable guide in how to make your own vanilla extract.

We hope this helps those who have bought our vanilla and encourage those who would experiment for the first time in making your very own vanilla extract.

Cocoa, Vanilla and Coffee

Covanee…