--- title: How to Make Vanilla Extract description: Learn how to make potent vanilla extract for cooking, baking, and skin care. image: https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hubfs/Blog%20images/Vanilla%20Extract%20Featured.jpg --- [Our Blog ](https://info.mountainroseherbs.com/categories-original?hsLang=en-us) #### [RECIPES & DIY](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/topic/recipes) #### [GREEN LIVING](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/topic/green-living) #### [HERBALISM](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/topic/herbalism) #### [AROMATHERAPY](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/topic/aromatherapy) #### [BODY CARE](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/topic/natural-body-care) #### [MORE TOPICS...](https://info.mountainroseherbs.com/categories-original?hsLang=en-us) # How to Make Vanilla Extract ## [![Homemade vanilla extract is poured from into smaller jar for easy use](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20images/Vanilla%20Extract%20Horizontal.jpg?width=900&height=601&name=Vanilla%20Extract%20Horizontal.jpg)](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/vanilla-bean-whole/profile) Vanilla is both unassuming, yet utterly magical. As a child, I remember believing that vanilla was a plain or even boring flavor. Now as an adult, I realize that nothing could be further from the truth. With its delicate and creamy flavor, [vanilla ](https://mountainroseherbs.com/whole-vanilla-beans)is not only enchanting on its own, but it also has the power to draw out and enhance any other flavor that it is paired with. I find myself adding vanilla extract to matcha, hot cocoa, coffee, moon milk, oatmeal, chia pudding, and, of course, almost all my baking projects. With such a variety of uses, it is no wonder that I like to make sure that vanilla extract is well-stocked in my cupboard, which is why I have taken to crafting my own in larger batches. Vanilla extract is surprisingly easy to make at home—all you need is whole vanilla beans, alcohol, and a jar. It also makes an awesome DIY gift! [![A side by side photo of a flowering vanilla orchid and green vanilla beans on the vine](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20images/Vanilla%20Beans%20and%20Flower.jpg?width=900&height=600&name=Vanilla%20Beans%20and%20Flower.jpg)](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/fair-trade-premiums-what-they-are-why-they-matter?hsLang=en-us) ## Why Are Vanilla Beans So Precious? Vanilla pods are the fruit of a stunning orchid (*Vanilla planifolia*). The bulk of the world's supply of vanilla is provided by only a handful of countries (primarily India, Madagascar, Mexico, and Tahiti.) The ephemeral vanilla flowers open for just one day and each must be carefully hand-pollinated. There’s only one bee known to pollinate them in the wild, and hand pollination has proven to be more reliable. After nine months on the vine, the green vanilla orchid fruits are picked, graded by size, and bundled. At this point, they don't yet have that amazing vanilla scent or flavor we all love. The bundled beans are submerged in boiling water to stop the ripening process and start the natural production of vanillin. The blanched beans are then wrapped in cloth and placed in wooden crates to sweat. Each day for three weeks, they are removed, unwrapped, and placed in the sun for several hours. After this curing process, the beans become wonderfully fragrant and turn black in color. The pods are then placed on racks in a well-ventilated room for up to 35 days. From there, the beans are wrapped and crated for an additional two months to finish curing. The result—a high-quality vanilla bean that is fragrant and delicious.  Once we realize how much goes into bringing this incredible plant to our spice racks, we can be more appreciative of the hard work that goes into getting it there.  We can further understand that in order for this to be ethical and sustainable, we must fairly compensate the farm workers who do all of this work. The [organic vanilla beans offered by Mountain Rose Herbs are Fair Trade Certified](https://mountainroseherbs.com/whole-vanilla-beans) and are grown, harvested, and cured by passionate and highly skilled farmers.   ## Easy Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe ** Ingredients** - 6 - 10 whole [Certified Organic Fair Trade Vanilla Beans](https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/vanilla-bean-whole/profile) - 2 cups brandy, vodka, rum, or bourbon **Directions** 1. Split vanilla beans lengthwise with a knife, leaving the seed pulp inside. 2. Place vanilla beans in a glass jar, cover completely with alcohol of your choice, and cap tightly.  3. Shaking the jar daily for 4-6 weeks. (You can allow the vanilla beans to infuse longer, or add more vanilla beans to make a stronger extract.) 4. Once the flavor of your extract has reached the desired strength, strain the vanilla beans out and bottle the resulting extract.  Pro Tips - Homemade vanilla extract makes a wonderful gift, to make your bottles of extract even more alluring, you can insert a whole vanilla bean into each one.  - Vanilla extract will last indefinitely and will become even more aromatic and flavorful as it ages.  - Your spent vanilla beans will still have some life in them! Experiment with reusing them in other preparations.  ## [![A freshly baked cookie sits beside a steamy cup of tea](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20images/z%20Chai%20Cookies%20Social.jpg?width=600&height=600&name=z%20Chai%20Cookies%20Social.jpg)](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/chai-spice-oatmeal-cookies?hsLang=en-us) ## Best Ways to Use Homemade Vanilla Extract - [Baking projects](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/forgotten-cookie-recipe-with-yaupon?hsLang=en-us). Cookies, cakes, scones, muffins, and more! - [Moon milks](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/blue-moon-milk-recipe-with-homemade-hemp-seed-milk?hsLang=en-us) - [Hot chocolate](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/mexican-hot-chocolate-recipe?hsLang=en-us) - [Coffee drinks](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/cold-brew-coffee?hsLang=en-us) - [Matcha](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/iced-matcha-tea?hsLang=en-us) (Try adding a dash as you whisk your matcha powder.) - [Body care recipes](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/cacao-vanilla-body-polish?hsLang=en-us). Such as lip balm, scrubs, and body butter  - [Golden milk](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/saffron-golden-milk-latte-recipe-vegan?hsLang=en-us) - [Homemade granola](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/coconut-cardamom-granola?hsLang=en-us) - [Chai lattes](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/chai-maca-latte?hsLang=en-us) - [Chia seed pudding](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/chia-seed-pudding-recipe-with-energy-supporting-herbs?hsLang=en-us) - [Overnight oats](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/blended-chocolate-peanut-butter-overnight-oats?hsLang=en-us) - Homemade chocolates - Cocktails/mocktails  - Puddings and custards - [Homemade caramel ](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/homemade-caramel-apple-slices-with-herbal-chocolate-glaze?hsLang=en-us) - [Energy bites and bars](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/paleo-ashwagandha-chocolate-bites?hsLang=en-us) - Egg nog ### Looking for Vibrant Vanilla for Your Holiday Meals? ## [Find Organic Vanilla Here!](https://mountainroseherbs.com/whole-vanilla-beans) You may also be interested in:  - [Coconut, Vanilla & Cardamom Granola Recipe](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/coconut-cardamom-granola?hsLang=en-us) - [Vanilla Blue Moon Milk for Clarity & Reflection](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/blue-moon-milk-recipe-with-homemade-hemp-seed-milk?hsLang=en-us) - [Tips for Labeling Your Handmade Goods](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/tips-for-labeling-handcrafted-goods?hsLang=en-us)   [![Mountain Rose Herbs PIN photo](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20images/Vanilla%20Extract%20PIN.jpg?width=600&height=900&name=Vanilla%20Extract%20PIN.jpg)](https://www.pinterest.com/mtnroseherbs/)   --- Topics: [Culinary](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/topic/culinary), [Herbal Gift Ideas](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/topic/herbal-gift-ideas), [Our Farms](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/topic/our-farms), [Recipes](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/topic/recipes), [Specialty Ingredients](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/topic/specialty-ingredients) ![Maia](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Passionflower.jpg) ### Written by [Maia](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/author/maia) on November 13, 2024 Maia was born and raised in Eugene Oregon. An avid nature and animal lover, when she is not snapping blog photos for Mountain Rose; you can find her romping around in the woods with her pup, having impromptu dance parties in her living room, experimenting in the kitchen, and looking for new sci-fi and fantasy stories to dive into. --- #### WELCOME ## We offer one of the most thorough selections of certified organic herbs, spices, and botanical products and are commited to responsible sourcing. 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All you need are two simple ingredients and a glass jar, or a few cork bottles if you want to make holiday gifts for friends.", "image" : "https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/blogVanillaExtract01-1.jpg?t=1541466725392&width=535&name=blogVanillaExtract01-1.jpg", "keywords" : "homemade vanilla extract, how to make vanilla extract", "name" : "Easy Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe", "nutrition" : { "@type" : "NutritionInformation", "calories" : "" }, "prepTime" : "PT15M", "recipeIngredient" : [ "3 - 5 whole Certified Organic Fair Trade Vanilla Beans", "1 cup brandy, vodka, rum, or bourbon" ], "recipeInstructions" : [ { "@type" : "HowToStep", "text" : "Split vanilla beans lengthwise with a knife, leaving the seed pulp inside, and then chop into smaller pieces. (I like to leave one or two of the beans split down the middle for presentation, and then chop the rest.)" }, { "@type" : "HowToStep", "text" : "Place vanilla beans in a glass jar, cover completely with alcohol of your choice, and cap tightly." }, { "@type" : "HowToStep", "text" : "Agitate the mixture by shaking the jar daily for 2-6 weeks." }, { "@type" : "HowToStep", "text" : "You can allow the vanilla beans to infuse longer, or add more vanilla beans to make a stronger extract." }, { "@type" : "HowToStep", "text" : "Once the flavor of your extract has reached the desired strength, strain the vanilla beans out and bottle the resulting extract." }, { "@type" : "HowToStep", "text" : "To make the bottles even more alluring, you can insert a whole vanilla bean into each bottle." }, { "@type" : "HowToStep", "text" : "Vanilla extract will last indefinitely, and will become even more aromatic and flavorful as it ages." }, { "@type" : "HowToStep", "text" : "Homemade vanilla extract can be used just the same as vanilla extract from the store." } ], "totalTime" : "" } ```