I am ready to share the final process of my adventure in making homemade vanilla extract. After waiting a whole six months, which was a true test of patience for me, I am ecstatic to report that it was definitely all worth the wait. I am also equally thrilled that the bottling process was a piece of cake compared to scraping out all of those vanilla beans six months ago. In fact, it was so easy that I was inspired to make a new batch of vanilla extract only, this time I'm experimenting with Bourbon instead of Vodka.
I am officially hooked after smelling what homemade vanilla extract smells like verses the store bought kind. It is a completely different smell, a million times more fragrant, sweet and vanilla-y than any other brand of vanilla extract that I have ever encountered. I can seriously see myself repeating this ritual every six months like clockwork keeping myself, friends and family in homemade vanilla extract for decades to come. Yes, it is that awesome!
Anyway, on to the super easy bottling process:
I am officially hooked after smelling what homemade vanilla extract smells like verses the store bought kind. It is a completely different smell, a million times more fragrant, sweet and vanilla-y than any other brand of vanilla extract that I have ever encountered. I can seriously see myself repeating this ritual every six months like clockwork keeping myself, friends and family in homemade vanilla extract for decades to come. Yes, it is that awesome!
Anyway, on to the super easy bottling process:
Step 1: Strain your finished vanilla extract. You can do this by pouring it through a coffee filter, a fine mesh strainer, cheese cloth or even a pair of clean ladies panty hose. I did a sort of combo by placing a coffee filter inside of a fine mesh strainer. It's your preference, some vanilla extract makers like to skip this step completely and just add the extract to the bottle without straining it at all.
Step 2: Using a clean funnel, pour the strained vanilla extract into bottles. Screw on the lid tightly and you're in business, that's it!
You can also label your vanilla extract bottles creatively, letting the people that you give them to know what they are getting. For instance, I specified on in my labels that it was "Double Fold" Vanilla Extract, essentially bragging that I made my extract extra strong, ha ha, shameless I know. It is also really cool to get fancy and print out homemade bottle labels on sticker paper. I used regular old masking tape to invoke a kind of rustic feel. If you use my labeling method, it is a good idea that you use a permanent ink pen so that the letters do not wash off if they get any liquid splashed on them later.
I recommend making your own vanilla extract to anyone who loves to give homemade gifts and/or bake. I assure you, once you experience the difference, you will not regret it :)
I recommend making your own vanilla extract to anyone who loves to give homemade gifts and/or bake. I assure you, once you experience the difference, you will not regret it :)