If you’re a fan of homemade baked goods, it’s likely that pure vanilla extract is a staple in your kitchen. While it might seem simple, pure vanilla extract actually has a surprisingly complex history spanning back centuries.
Whether you’re looking for cooking recipes to add to your repertoire or just want to know more about this tasty flavoring, read on for everything you need to know about pure vanilla extract!
Vanilla is the second most expensive spice next to saffron and was even used as currency in some South American countries because of its rarity and high value. Today, vanilla is one of the most commonly used flavorings in baked goods and candy.
What Is Pure Vanilla Extract?
At its simplest, pure vanilla extract is a liquid made by soaking vanilla beans in alcohol and water. Each bottle of pure vanilla extract contains a specific amount of those ingredients based upon the amount of extract contained within.
While there are many varieties of imitation and artificial vanillas available on the market, pure vanilla extract is made only with natural ingredients that provide the intense flavor you love without any added chemicals or artificial flavors.
A History of Pure Vanilla Extract
Pure vanilla extract is extracted from a vanilla bean pod, which is the fruit of a climbing orchid. The distinctive flavor and aroma of this bean pod has been revered for centuries, with its first use recorded as far back as Cortez who discovered the Aztecs using it to make their chocolate drinks more flavorful.
Over time, vanilla was cultivated by the Spanish and enjoyed in many desserts and drinks by royalty. Today, it’s used in pastries, ice cream, sauces, soups and other products where its mellow, rich flavor can enhance your favorite foods.
The History of Pure Vanilla Extract
Although vanilla was originally cultivated by the Spanish, who brought it back to Europe, it didn’t take long for the French (particularly Catherine de’ Medici) to fall in love with its rich aroma and flavor.
As you might guess, vanilla didn’t grow well in colder European countries, so Queen Elizabeth I sent Captain John Saris on a voyage to the Far East to acquire some of the plant. The plant was successfully grown in the Philippines and then shipped back to England where it took root and was commonly used in desserts.
Because vanilla is such an expensive spice, much like saffron, it has been used as currency in some countries. It was so valuable to the Spanish that Columbus introduced vanilla beans to his crew during his second voyage, only to discover that they didn’t know how to best use them.
Because the French couldn’t grow their own, they had their agents travel throughout the world to acquire more vanilla beans. The first shipment was brought back by Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac and sent as tribute by the French crown.
It took several years for vanilla cultivation to reach American soil, but it eventually did and soon became a staple in many desserts.
The Story of Pure Vanilla Extract
Pure vanilla extract is made from seeds from the orchid plant, which requires a tropical climate to thrive in. The plant itself is a vine that grows straight to the ground with thin, shiny green leaves and flowers that appear in spring before the foliage.
The blooms have a more wild look and smell like the vanilla bean (hence why this plant is commonly known as “vanilla orchid”). The pods themselves are dark and knobbly, often slightly pointed at the end.
Each pod contains 20 to 22 seeds, which means that you need at least 23 beans for a pound of extract. The pods themselves have to be carefully scraped from their “cavity” in a process known as “de-podding.”
The pod is then washed and dried, then split open lengthwise. The seeds are then soaked in alcohol to extract the flavor, leaving behind the hard shell of the outer plant. The seeds are then ground into a powder using a coffee grinder and stored in alcohol.
The pure vanilla extract is only made once if you buy it pre-prepared or even better, makes your own vanilla extract! This can save you significant amounts of money by making your own extracts instead of purchasing ready-to-use ones.
You can also make your own vanilla extract by gathering the following ingredients:
2 cups vodka (you can use any type of alcohol; bourbon works well if you want a vanilla that’s a little more distinctive) It’s important to use a neutral-flavored alcohol like vodka or bourbon to avoid overpowering the vanilla flavor. If you don’t want to use alcohol, you can double the water in this recipe and just add twice as much of each ingredient.
10 whole vanilla beans If you’re using beans that have already been scraped, weigh them out so you know how many are needed. You’ll need 1 ounce for every cup of extract you plan on making.
4 cups water One cup of water is equal to 1 ounce of weight.
Begin by breaking open the vanilla beans, removing the seeds and the hard black insides from the pods. Soak the beans in alcohol for at least 6 weeks (the longer it sits, the stronger your extract will be), then strain it through a fine-mesh strainer and bottle it up.
If you’re going to make your own pure vanilla extract, you’ll need about 23 whole vanilla beans for every pint. You can acquire these by buying them from your local spice store or online.
If you’re looking to make your own vanilla extract, then you’ll need to follow a few easy steps. The following is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to make your own pure vanilla extract:
Two cups of alcohol (vodka) Four cups of water Ten whole vanilla beans Two glass bottles that hold 8 ounces each (you can use Mason jars or any other type of glass jar) Two rubber bands Measuring cup
Begin by splitting the vanilla beans in half lengthwise and removing any loose bits, as well as the seeds. Place the seeds and pods into one of your bottles and fill it with alcohol, covering all of the pods.
Cap the bottle and shake it until the vanilla has been thoroughly soaked with the liquor. Place it in a dark cupboard for at least 6 weeks, shaking it every couple of days to help ensure that all of the vanilla beans are being soaked.
After 6 weeks have passed, pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into one of your jars, discarding the leftover pods and seeds. Pour out another 2 cups of alcohol into your other jar and repeat this process until you have about 3/4 cup left.
Pour both bottles into your empty jar and shake them well. Next, you’ll have to strain the mixture. Pour the mixture back into your empty jar and cover it with a plastic or metal lid.
Carefully insert the rubber band to keep the lid in place and shake the jar for about 10 minutes. If you’re having trouble getting it all out, try placing some cotton or cheesecloth over a bowl and shaking it vigorously inside of it as well.
Set this jar aside for a couple of days so that it can rest, then pour through another fine-mesh strainer into one of your bottles. Repeat this process until you have four cups’ worth of vanilla extract in each bottle.
What percentage of vanilla extract is alcohol?
Pure vanilla extract is known to be shelf stable for several years, but how much of the extract is actually alcohol? In most US products, it’s about 35 percent.
Is vanilla extract expensive?
Vanilla is an extremely pricey spice. One pound of pure vanilla extract is about $400 and can take up to 2 years for vines to reach maturity. Vanilla has a very short growing season that lasts for one month each year, making it even more difficult to cultivate and pricy than your average spice or herb.
Where can you find vanilla extract?
You can buy pure vanilla extract from many different sources, but you may have a better selection and better price if you buy it online. Keep in mind that the quality of any vanilla extract will be determined by the source, so whatever brand you purchase must be of good quality.
Premium vanilla extracts are typically made from pure vanilla beans that have been exported to countries around the world for years. The flavor and flavor intensity varies between these pure extracts as well, so shop wisely. Vanilla beans from Madagascar and Tahiti tend to be more expensive due to their intensive growing seasons, but they are considered best-quality extracts because they’re so difficult to cultivate.
Can you get drunk on a vanilla extract?
While it can’t intoxicate you, vanilla extract does contain a significant amount of alcohol. It’s considered one of the best flavor intensifiers for alcohols and vodkas, so it should be used sparingly when making your own liqueurs.
Is pure vanilla extract legal?
Pure vanilla extract is not considered illegal in any country because it is produced from natural ingredients and contains no harmful chemicals or additives. Vanilla may come from a number of different countries, but Madagascar and Tahiti have the world’s best vanilla farms. Scrambling to satisfy worldwide demand, they’ve since over-harvested the plants in their respective countries, which has led to concerns about sustainability practices on these farms.
Is modeled good vanilla?
Vanilla extracts that are modeled in flavorings and fragrances are usually imitation vanilla extract, which is made from artificial vanilla. However, they do emulate the appearance and tastes of vanilla extract, so they may look like pure vanilla but have a different taste.
Is mixing alcohol with food dangerous?
Alcohol is not dangerous to consume in small quantities. The American Medical Association notes that the maximum amount of alcohol that should ever be consumed by a healthy adult is 2 drinks per day for women and 3 drinks per day for men, who should also drink less than this every day for at least two weeks before resuming drinking at or above this limit.
How much alcohol is in a teaspoon of vanilla extract?
Pure vanilla extract is approximately 35 percent alcohol, so the average teaspoon of vanilla contains about half a teaspoon of ethanol. This can be quite a bit if you’re not used to consuming alcohol.
Is pure vanilla extract healthy?
Pure vanilla extracts are considered low-calorie and low-fat foods and are usually made from natural ingredients such as cacao and vanilla beans. The question is how much of this food product should people consume per day? It’s typically recommended that people consume a little bit of plain vanilla extract to flavor their dishes without adding extra fat or calories, but too much may trigger side effects and allergic reactions.
I hope you found this to be helpful, because vanilla is one of those things that you can’t go wrong with. Its flavor adds a level of complexity to recipes, and it enhances almost any dessert presentation. Although pure extract is very potent, don’t worry about over-consuming. It’s a great food flavoring that’s safe for everyone to consume and add as much or as little as desired. The only thing to remember is that even though vanilla extract contains no sugar or artificial ingredients, it still has calories because it’s made from a concentrated form of alcohol. You now know how to make vanilla extract in 6 easy steps. The above is a complete tutorial on making vanilla alcohol. I hope you learned a thing or two about making vanilla extract, and I hope this helps you when making quality alcohol at home.
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