MIY Vanilla Extract From Scratch

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It’s easy to imagine that a lot of the kitchen items we now take for granted will be scarce if SHTF and since I like to bake, it’s important to me to know how to make some of my own staple ingredients so that I’m not left in a lurch. One thing I’ve started doing is making my own vanilla extract at home. It’s perfect because it’s simple and inexpensive to make and I know I’ll always have some on hand. Another bonus is that I know there are no preservatives or artificial ingredients in it since I’ve made it myself.

Here is what you need:
1 container with a lid. I use glass because I don’t have to worry about BPA leeching into my extract.
3-4 vanilla beans. I purchase the Bakto brand of beans through amazon.com because I find they’re better quality and less expensive than what I can find in my local grocery store.
1 bottle of unflavored vodka

Directions:

1. With a sharp knife, cut a slit in each vanilla bean along its long axis, this allows the vodka to come into contact with the flavorful seeds inside the beans. Place the vanilla beans inside your clean container.
2. Fill the container with vodka and seal your container with its lid.
3. Let sit for six weeks before using so it has time to develop its flavor.

That’s it! SO easy. I’ve been using my homemade vanilla extract for over a year now and I just top it off with a little vodka every now and then when the extract gets below the neck of my bottle. This way the new vodka combines with the already flavored extract and I don’t have to wait on another batch down the road. I’ve been using the same vanilla beans this entire time and they’re still good since the alcohol preserves them. I’ll replace them if the extract flavor ever starts to get weak. By the way, don’t be concerned about serving this extract to children since you won’t be using enough extract to affect anybody and the alcohol cooks off leaving just the flavor.

Since I’ve started using this method of making vanilla extract, I have plans to make other flavors once my grocery-store bottles of extracts run out. Fortunately, the flavors for some of these variations can easily be grown in your garden or a container at home. The rest are pretty easy to find in a grocery store. Here are some of my ideas:

1. Cinnamon extract using a cinnamon stick or two and vodka
2. Peppermint extract using a handful of peppermint leaves and vodka
3. Spearmint extract using a handful of spearmint mint leaves and vodka
4.. Cherry extract using 4-6 cherries and vodka
5. Lemon extract using the zest of 2 lemons and vodka
6. Lime extract using the zest of 2 limes and vodka
7. Orange extract using the zest of an orange and vodka
8. Hazelnut extract using 6 hazelnuts and vodka
9. Almond extract using 6-8 almonds and vodka
10. Toasted almond extract using 6-8 toasted almonds and vodka

I hope I’ve inspired you to start making your own extracts to have on hand. As I said, if SHTF these are not going to be easy to obtain and would make a really good bartering item. They’d also be delicious to add to your food as a way to treat or comfort yourself during a hard time.

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