How to Make Vanilla Extract Commercial Production

If you do not want to spend any more money on a bottle of vanilla extract, then try making your own. You can make commercial vanilla extract with a few simple ingredients and a little patience. The three main ingredients to make your own commercial vanilla extract include vanilla beans, vodka and simple sugar syrup. Cooks use vanilla extract to add flavor to many desserts. Experimenting with the amount of vanilla and liquor used will produce customized intensity levels of vanilla extract.

Things You'll Need

• 1 quart glass jar with lid
• Pot
• Water
• 6 medium Bourbon vanilla beans
• Kitchen shears
• 2 cups vodka
• 1-cup sugar
• 1-cup water
• Small bottles

Instructions

1. Sterilize the glass jar and lid. Boil them in water for 15 minutes.

2. Cut each vanilla bean in half lengthwise. Leave them connected at the end.

3. Place the vanilla beans in a glass jar.

4. Fill the jar with vodka. Add enough vodka to cover the beans. Secure the jar with a tight lid.

5. Store the bottle in a dark and cool environment. Shake the bottle at least once a week for 8 weeks.

6. Make simple sugar syrup to add to the vanilla extract. Commercial companies add this to their vanilla to enhance the sweetness. Combine sugar and water at a 1 to 1 ratio in a saucepan. Bring to a boil until the sugar dissolves. Add 1 teaspoon for each cup of vodka.

7. Pour the vanilla extract into smaller bottle. You can add 1 vanilla bean to each smaller bottle of extract you make.

Tips & Warnings

• Replace the vodka with rum to change the flavor of your vanilla extract.

• Sterilize all your equipment before making vanilla extract. This will ensure that you do not contaminate the extract with harmful bacteria.

References

• Vanilla Review: Make Vanilla Extract
• Kitchen Project: How to Make Vanilla Extract
• Discovery: Planet Green: Make Your Own Vanilla