How do you make vanilla from vanilla beans? What it the liquid used and the ratio?

Question

What is the liquid and the ratio of liquid to vanilla beans?

Answer 1

If you're using vanilla pods, the best way to use it is to split the pod in half, and using a knife, scrape out the beans, and add to your recipe. It's best used in a recipe using liquid, as gently heating the liquid with the vanilla will bring out its flavour properly. If you want to make vanilla extract yourself though, it's probably a bit expensive, as the proportion of vanilla pods to alcohol is huge! You'd be best buying a really high-quality vanilla extract, like Nielssen-Massey. Plus, they know how to best cure the vanilla pods to get the most flavour in their extract. It's a bit of a specialist art.

Answer 2

I found this recipe, if you check out the link it shows step by step pictures also.

Ingredients;
2 Cups (16 oz.) vodka, brandy or rum
You can also combine them. I like 1 1/2 cups vodka to 1/2 cup dark rum.


6 vanilla beans

You can easily cut this recipe in half and use 3 vanilla beans and 1 cup of vodka, brandy or rum.


You can use any kind of bottle you want, but I do recommend glass.

Cut the vanilla beans the long way with a scissors except the last inch. This way the bean stays intact.

Pour the vodka into the container you will be making your extract in. Here you see a quart mason jar.



I like to use clear glass, so I can see how the extract is developing. The darker it gets the stronger the extract is. There is no exact time that the extract is done. I like to wait at least 8 weeks.

Put the cut beans in the vodka and push them down until they are completely covered. They usually won't go down completely on their own as you see in this picture, so they need to be pushed down even farther.

Cover the vanilla extract and let it sit in a cupboard out of the light. You will start to taste some vanilla flavor even after a few days. How long you let it sit is how potent your vanilla extract is.

After 8 weeks the vanilla extract has the nice amber color and I am pouring it into small bottles for gifts.

I like to put a vanilla bean in each bottle. This way the extract will keep gaining in flavor and you can tell them that by adding a little vodka when it is halfway used up will replenish your supply of vanilla. It will dilute it for a while but it will regain strength quickly.

Some people will add some simple sugar syrup to the extract to sweeten it. . This is what they do in most commercial varieties so it has a nice sweet aftertaste.
I like to use a little Dark rum in my extract instead.

Link:
http://www.kitchenproject.com/vanilla/4FoldVanillaExtract.htm

Answer 3

Vanilla beans contain the actual favour of vanilla. You don't need to do any extraction to the beans. Just use a sharp knife to split the bean, along the full length of the bean and use the blunt side of the blade to scrap out the vanilla seeds which contain the strongest favour. The whole bean is usable, no wastage at all. No additives are required to use the vanilla beans.

Answer 4

Wow I would love to see you make ice cream. While you're at it, why not use plutonium to heat your home? I would pay to see that too, lol. Seriously, though, you gotta have some balls to cook ice cream with liquid nitrogen. Oh and by the way you don't eat the nitrogen with the ice cream (it will burn your throat, of course, pay no attention to those stupid youtube videos). You know, most people just do it the old fashioned way, with salt and ice. But that way is too easy for a badass girl like yourself. Only real women use liquid nitrogen to make ice cream in less than 30 seconds! Oh and just one other thing - I noticed some people mentioned freezing a finger off. Did you not see Terminator 2? The part where the T2000 gets drenched in liquid nitrogen and then Arnold is like "Asta la vista, baby" and shoots him and he shatters? That could happen to you too but it's ok, I know you're not afraid and I'm not calling you a chikkin.

Answer 5

I use one organic vanilla bean to 1 pint of gin or vodka. It is amazing! The flavor is so perfect, and it lasts forever. I also use it in my aromatherapy simmer pots. It makes the house smell so welcoming and happy. Very nice. Good luck and great tasting! Nana