vanilla extract

theultimatesak

so at the suggestion of a few people around here a few months back i decided to try making my own vanilla extract.  i made a lot thinking if it was decent i could put it in little bottles and give some of it away with the basket of other homemade goodies we give to friends at christmas, and if it was crappy i'd just keep it and have a lot of vanilla for myself.

ok, so that was about 7-8 weeks ago.  how long do i let this sit?  i just opened it tonight to put a little in my waffle batter (yes, we're having waffles again.  don't judge), and it was still super strong alcohol flavored.  i could taste the vanilla a little in the aftertaste, but it definitely did not taste even remotely close to my normal vanilla that i would buy in the store.  do i just need to let it sit longer?

TJ1979

Shake it weekly. And remember the alcohol will cook off and the vanilla flavor will remain. What color is it?

Rrrrrachel

I think it needs like six months.

TJ1979

Nah, not that long.

TJ1979

If it's black I would call it ready. Mine only ever gets brown, but the little seeds are all throughout so I know it's still imparting the flavor.

TJ1979

Oops, I have never strained it. I like the little speckles.

MapleMomma

Rrrrrachel said:

I think it needs like six months.

This is how my mom does it.

unaveragejane

Oh, vanilla speckles were why I always hated Breyer's vanilla ice cream growing up! It just made the consistency all wrong.

stoneycakes

ovenrack said:

Oh, vanilla speckles were why I always hated Breyer's vanilla ice cream growing up! It just made the consistency all wrong.

We were getting along so well, Jane.

Are you guys saying you can feel the texture of the speckles?

TJ1979

I never thought I'd say these words... but I'm on #teamovenrack.

Mandmeesh

TJ1979 said:

I never thought I'd say these words... but I'm on #teamovenrack.

haha

Rrrrrachel

The speckles were the best!

TJ1979

ovenrack said:

TJ1979 said:

I never thought I'd say these words... but I'm on #teamovenrack.

TJ1979

Sorry, my Cameron is in your box.

stoneycakes

ovenrack said:

Oh, vanilla speckles were why I always hated Breyer's vanilla ice cream growing up! It just made the consistency all wrong.

We were getting along so well, Jane.

Oh, I thought you said "we are."  Early morning reading comprehension fail.  @unaveragejane, we are not mind twins on this one.  Speckles FTW!

unaveragejane

I don't like strawberry ice cream, either. There. I said it.

TJ1979

ovenrack said:

unaveragejane said:

I don't like strawberry ice cream, either. There. I said it.

I only like strawberry ice cream that's made of, like, strawberries and ice cream.  I'm very picky about it.

I'm once again on #teamOR.  This is so weird. 

TJ1979

ovenrack said:

TJ1979 said:

ovenrack said:

unaveragejane said:

I don't like strawberry ice cream, either. There. I said it.

I only like strawberry ice cream that's made of, like, strawberries and ice cream.  I'm very picky about it.

I'm once again on #teamOR.  This is so weird. 

TJ1979

Are you... sniffing my hair?