Homemade Vanilla Extract

Homemade Vanilla Extract is a great way to get your feet wet for more intense medicine making endeavors because it is the same basic principle; booze and plant material in a jar for 2 weeks. 

So here it goes:

  • 8 Vanilla Beans (Ordered from MountainRoseHerbs.com $10 for 1 oz with is about 7-8 beans)

  • 1.5 cups of brandy (I like E & J VESOP because the taste is smoother and it is relatively cheap)

  • 1 pint size Ball jar

Cut your beans long ways and then into 1 inch pieces.

Place them in the jar. Pour your 1.5 cups of brandy over your beans. Cover and place in a dark cool place. Wait 2 weeks shaking your “tincture” every day. Strain out you marc (plant material) from your menstrum (liquid) and store. 

There you have it! Now you are a kitchen herbalist!

How do you use vanilla bean or vanilla extract? I want some new recipes!