Comments on: homemade vanilla extract

By: Kimberly R Boots

Kimberly R Boots — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 18:14:12 +0000

Hi Sarah, I have some more questions on making vanilla extract: Can you re-use the beans? I just finished a bottle of vanilla, and I’m not sure what I should do with the beans. Can I just add another cup of vodka to it? Or should I not bother because the vanilla won’t turn out as potent? Also, how do you clean the small bottles you transfer your vanilla into? They have very small mouths, so I was thinking I’d need to buy a little brush, or could I just boil them? Thank you!

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 12:14:46 +0000

In reply to Sarah. Awesome! Thank you Sarah!!!

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 12:14:12 +0000

In reply to Sarah. Fantastic!!! I cannot WAIT to try this! Thanks so much Sarah!!!

By: Sarah

Sarah — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 03:20:06 +0000

In reply to Kimberly. I never have added water to the homemade vodka. I don't know why it's added? But I just use it straight. I never strain mine (I think all the flecks/seeds are pretty), but lots of people do.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 03:16:14 +0000

In reply to Kimberly.

Hi Kimberly – it shouldn’t be mold, unless it is white and fuzzy. If they are black/brown speck/pieces, it should be fine. I’m so glad you liked the scones!! If you add anywhere from 1 teaspoon – 1 tablespoon ground cardamom to the creme fraiche scones (add it with the dry ingredients) you will have cardamom scones. 🙂 I like a lot of cardamom so I add a whole tablespoon, but some people like less. I also really like cardamom scones with chocolate – you could add some just like in the chocolate-orange scones.

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 18:27:49 +0000

Oops! One more question–I noticed that there is added water in store-bought vanilla extract. When using the homemade vanilla extract, should you add extra water, or use as-is, just the alcohol that the beans soaked in? Why in the world is water added to the store-bought stuff? Thanks!

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 18:05:43 +0000

In reply to Sarah.

Thank you so much Sarah! The specks don’t really have a color–just looks like debris of some sort–just sort of foggy in there. I’m mainly worried if it could be mold? I’m a bit paranoid! Oh, and I didn’t use Vodka–I used rum–will that still kill any and all bad bacteria? I’m sure I will strain it before I use it (I still have a few more months to go before it’s ready)–do you strain yours? Thank you for the link, I will definitely check it out!

In an unrelated note, I made the Chocolate-Orange Scones from your book last night and passed them out at work. EVERYONE. WENT. NUTS. One coworker has even decided that we are staring a Scone Club! This recipe is PHENOMENAL, thank you so much! I LOVE your book, and I have decided to make everything in it at least once! Quick question: do you have a Cardamom Scone recipe? I’d take any other scone recipe of yours too, if that’s OK (aside from the others I already have in your book)! Thanks a million Sarah!!!

By: Sarah

Sarah — Sun, 05 Mar 2017 19:07:01 +0000

In reply to Kimberly.

What color are the specks? Vanilla beans give off a lot of seeds and little brown pieces – my extract has a lot of little pieces floating around in it. The vodka will kill any bad bacteria that could possibly be lurking. Opening it won’t do any harm. I don’t think you have anything to worry about! But you can read more about it here: http://www.doesitgobad.com/do-vanilla-beans-go-bad/

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Sat, 04 Mar 2017 23:35:07 +0000

Hi Sarah! I just got your Vanilla Bean Baking Book for my birthday, and I LOVE it!! Can’t wait to try so many recipes in it! Question on making vanilla extract: Does something bad happen if you open it before the 8 weeks is over? I made some about 2 months ago, and I’ve opened it a few times during those 2 months (got too curious to wait to see how it smelled). And, I see little specks of something floating around in it–I’m sure it’s not just vanilla bean seeds, but I’m concerned at what it could be. The beans I used weren’t brand-new–I had them in the zip-loc pouch they came in and had them stored in a cabinet. I’ve heard old beans can have mold on them, but I don’t think my beans had mold–then again, I wouldn’t know what to look for to detect mold on vanilla beans. I appreciate your help! Thank you!!

By: Equagold

Equagold — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 11:34:28 +0000

I should get onto this, genuine soon xx

p.s such. dazzling. pics. As usual!