Can I reuse vanilla beans after making extract?

Can I reuse vanilla beans after making extract?

Yes. Because a vanilla bean has a great deal of flavor, it can usually be reused several times before its aroma and taste are depleted. A great way to recycle a bean is to make vanilla sugar. Cover tightly and let the jar stand for at least one week (flavor intensifies with time).

Can I use honey instead of vanilla extract?

Honey is a great substitute for a lot of things. In this case, vanilla extract. If you add honey instead of vanilla extract, make sure to reduce the amount of sugar in your recipe.

Is it legal to sell homemade vanilla extract?

You need to check with your ag dept to see if you can sell homemade vanilla extract (I don't think you can). If you can't, then you'll just need to give them away if you don't want to break the law. Loretta, I am too wanting to sell vanilla extract and possibly other extracts.

Why has vanilla extract become so expensive?

One reason vanilla has gotten so expensive is, it's hard to grow. In Madagascar, where over 80% of vanilla is produced, the flowers have to be pollinated by hand. The pods need several months to cure after harvesting. The whole process is time-consuming and labor-intensive.

Does artificial vanilla extract expire?

Properly stored, imitation vanilla extract will generally stay at best quality for about 3 to 4 years. To maximize the shelf life of imitation vanilla extract, keep the container tightly closed when not in use. Is imitation vanilla extract safe to use after the "expiration" date on the package?

Can vanilla extract get you drunk?

You can get drunk on vanilla extract. For example, an extract at 40% is 80 proof, the same amount of alcohol there is many distilled spirits. Extracts may look harmless but they aren't. I rarely became ill, but after your second 1 ounce bottle of vanilla extract it becomes difficult to proceed.

What is the best pure vanilla extract?

At least the Mexicans claim their vanilla to be of superior quality, but the vanilla extracts sold in Mexico are often stretched with tonka bean extract, which has a similar taste and aroma to vanilla, but contains coumarin, which is banned as a food additive by the US Food & Drug Administration.

How many times can vanilla beans be used to make vanilla extract?

I recommend using 2 vanilla beans here, but honestly, you could certainly use more. It takes about 6-8 weeks for your extract to develop a dark color and really good flavor. As it ages, the flavor will only improve.

Can vanilla extract kill you?

If you had enough of it, you could drown in it. Pure vanilla extract is made by macerating and percolating vanilla pods in a solution of ethanol and water, so it has some alcohol in it. If you drank enough of it, you could possibly get alcohol poisoning.

Why does my vanilla extract smell like alcohol?

We sell only pure vanilla here at the Vanilla Company, and we also buy our beans in small quantity, so it shouldn't be surprising that the smell of alcohol accompanies our extracts. This comes out to about 3% sugar in the extract. Within a week or two your extract will smell far more mellow.

Is homemade vanilla extract alcoholic?

No wonder vanilla is so expensive! This recipe is for making vanilla extract with or without alcohol. Traditionally, it is made with alcohol—usually a flavorless alcohol such as vodka or grain alcohol—but it can also be made without the booze by using glycerin.

Is Mexican vanilla pure?

Mexican vanilla — which may smell and taste like real vanilla and is cheaper than the real thing — is sold in Mexico and other Latin American countries and has started appearing in some U.S. stores and restaurants, the FDA said. Pure vanilla is made with the extract of beans from the vanilla plant.

Can you make vanilla extract with tequila?

But I'd done the research. By purchasing grain alcohol, I make extract with two simple ingredients: the alcohol and the vanilla bean. Thirty-five percent alcohol is 70-proof. Liquors fitting this percentage are vodka, rum, brandy, ouzo, gin, whiskey, tequila, and other less-common spirits.

Is vanilla extract dangerous?

Vanilla extract contains ethanol, the same type of alcohol found in beer, wine, and hard liquor (and other types of flavoring extracts, perfume, cologne, aftershave, and mouthwash, too). The amount of extract called for in recipes would not be dangerous.