Description

Our Homemade Pure Vanilla Extract kits include:

• Amber Bottle with a flip-top ceramic lid
• Extract-grade Bourbon Madagascar Vanilla beans, naturally split.
• Homemade Label designed for insertion of your name and the date made.
Pure grain alcohol will also be needed to make the vanilla extract. This can be purchased at most all liquor stores and supermarkets that sell alcoholic products. We do not recommend the use of Vodka, Bourbon, Brandy or any other liquor as these products will impart a flavor in the vanilla extract.

Directions:

1. Rinse the bottle with water before use.
2. Add water and sugar (recommended) to the bottle.
3. Shake until the sugar has dissolved.
4. Insert the split vanilla beans.
5. Add alcohol.
6. Cap and shake well.

BOTTLE	BEANS	ALCOHOL	WATER	SUGAR (Optional)
8 oz	24 g	3.5 oz (84 g)	3.25 oz (92 g)	1 oz (28 g)
16 oz	48 g	7 oz (168 g)	6.50 oz (184 g)	2 oz (56 g)
32 oz	96 g	14 oz (336 g)	13.0 oz (368 g)	4 oz (113 g)

If the sugar is omitted, then additional water must be added to fill the bottle.

We recommend that the finished vanilla extract be left out on a counter where it is visible so that it can be shaken regularly when seen. Careful not to place the bottle where it may get direct sunlight. Shake as often as possible for just ten seconds to agitate the liquid which extracts the vanilla flavorings from the pods. Repeat shakings for a period of 30 days and then store your Homemade Vanilla Extract in a dark area or cabinet.

To obtain the best flavor for your Homemade Vanilla Extract, allow the bottle to age for a minimum of six months before use and optimally one year. Shake periodically whenever possible.

AMBER BOTTLES

Vanilla is sensitive to light which is the reason we provide amber bottles with our kits. Clear bottles do not protect vanilla extract from sunlight which will degrade the flavor. Vanilla extract should be stored in a dry place away from direct sunlight, preferably in a cupboard. Storing in a place where the temperature is warmer will accelerate the aging and development of the flavor.

NATURALLY SPLIT VANILLA BEANS

Gourmet vanilla beans contain 30 to 35% moisture, or water, and they have been cured exclusively for use in cooking by home and professional cooks alike. More water in the beans means that there will be less vanilla flavoring in the finished extract. The FDA has set a standard of identity that requires a gallon of pure vanilla extract to be made using 13.35 ounces of vanilla beans at no more than 25% moisture. This requirement is to protect consumers and ensure that all pure vanilla extracts are relatively the same in strength.

Our Homemade Pure Vanilla Extract Kits include Extract-grade Bourbon Vanilla Beans to be compliant with the 25% maximum moisture allowed. These beans have been cured and processed specifically for the making of vanilla extract. They are mature beans that have naturally split during the curing process and they typically contain higher levels of vanillin than do whole beans.

All of our kits include Extract Grade vanilla beans which are the best foundation for making a connoisseur-grade, pure vanilla extract.

GRAIN ALCOHOL

Grain alcohol is the only alcohol that should be used when making pure vanilla extract because it is flavorless. Liquors such as vodka, gin or rum contain flavors that will take away from the flavor of the vanilla.

SHAKING THE VANILLA

Shaking homemade pure vanilla extract regularly is crucial to the development of its flavor. It would be optimal to shake it multiple times per day for just 10 seconds during the first month of its making. Place the bottle where it will be seen often and shake it regularly. After a month, the vanilla is ready for use. It can be stored indefinitely and the flavor will only improve over time.

AGING VANILLA

Just like a fine wine, vanilla gets better as it ages. A truly flavorful, full-bodied homemade pure vanilla extract requires patience. The longer that the vanilla is allowed to age, the better the flavor and aroma will be. Most commercial processors skip the aging process and ship their vanillas immediately after bottling. Our Ronald Reginald’s Pure Vanilla Extract is aged for one full year before released for sale.

ADDING SUGAR (Optional)

Homemade Pure Vanilla Extract can be made with or without sugar. Sugar is one of the ingredients allowed by the FDA in the standard of identify. Sugar contains solids, even when dissolved. When added to vanilla extract and agitated, it helps pull the solids out of the vanilla beans thus producing a stronger and more flavorful extract. Typically, one pound of sugar is used in the making of one gallon of pure vanilla extract. During the aging process, sugar also attributes in the development of a more complex and better tasting vanilla extract.