
I always liked the real vanilla my mother's friend had brought her back from Mexico. So when I was there and had the chance I purchased several bottles to bring home as gifts (well that was my intent, I actually used almost all of them myself). Since my husband and I have not been to Mexico for several years, and don't have plans to in the near future, when I ran out about a year and a half ago I did what anyone in my shoes would have done; I ordered it off of Amazon
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I used this website as a guide and just went from there. The concept is simple. Take out your vanilla beans (I used 10), slice them open to allow the vodka to get inside the bean, stick them into the vodka, re-seal the bottle bottle and place it in a closet or cabinet. Shake the bottle about once a week and six weeks later tada...you have vanilla extract.
Vanilla off Amazon -$18.75 + $10.24 (S&H) = $28.99 for a 1L bottle
Homemade Vanilla - $13.30 for 750mL (price/L is $17.73)
Vodka - ~ $7.00 (about 750mL bottle)
Grade B Vanilla Beans on Amazon - $12.59 (1/4 pound - makes about 2 batches)
So what's that verdict? You can save $11 if you do it yourself. Now to wait the 6 weeks and see how it turns out.
I use mini "hotel bar" bottles and they make the PERFECT gifts!
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