Homemade Vanilla Extract
Use 1/4 pound of beans for every quart of extract that you want to make.
Chop the beans into 1/2 inch pieces. Slicing is OK, but it is a waste of time.
Use 70 to 90 proof inexpensive name brand Vodka, like Smirnoff. Some people like to use rum or brandy.
Shake the bottle once a day for about a month. Voila! Homemade vanilla extract. You may want to filter your finished product through a cheesecloth.
How do you know when the extract is done? Smell is one way, and another way is by the color - it should be a nice deep amber color. You can't compare the color to what you buy at the store because vanilla extract manufacturers often add coloring agents.
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