Homemade Vanilla

I have always wanted to try this. Now I am inspired to do this for gifts for my baking friends. Does anyone have a good on-line source for purchasing the vanilla beans?

I just made some. I had some seriously dead vanilla beans that a predecessor had stuffed into a jar of sugar guaranteed to suck every last drop of moisture out of them. Rather than throw them away, and believe me, I was both mad and tempted, I carved them open and stuck them (about 2 dozen) into a bottle of vodka. That was about 2 weeks ago. I've shaken them every 2 or 3 days, and they've now taken on both the deep color and even deeper flavor of commercial vanilla extract. I'm going to strain the solution through a sieve lined with a few layers of cheesecloth to extract the solids and floating stuff, then save it in bottles. Your idea of giving them as gifts is so lovely. And in your case, the idea of including a vanilla bean in the bottle is wonderful. What a great idea. Thank you.

I am a baker and I regularly place my "used" pods (the ones that I have scraped clean for other things) into my vodka jar. I shake it now and then, and use what I need...adding more vodka as necessary. Then, as it gets fuller, scoop older pieces out and put newer ones in. I think that you could probably do this forever and have wonderful luck!

I learned from Ina Garten that you take a good vodka and soak 4-5 beans and keep them in there indefinitely. It will take one month to flavor the vodka and turn into an extract. You should turn the bottle upside down and right side up a couple times a week. It's yummy one month later.

I did this last year and it was a big hit. Leaving the vanilla bean in is fine, as long as it's completely submerged in the alcohol. Most recipes I've seen suggest using at least 3-5 beans per 8oz of alcohol. It's good to split the pods lengthwise but not necessary to scrape out the seeds. You can also use rum, bourbon or brandy instead of vodka.

I've been looking into this for a while and my research says to use one that is at least "middle of the road" if not better. At least one you would drink comfortably. That way you wont have the harsh cheap alcohol smell/taste when done.

I would leave it in