Quick question on making your ownextract - does the taste differweather you use vodka or brandy to the end flavour ! Willyow - I still have vanilla beans I bought off you :P They sit with my sugar so Ihave an endless supply of vanilla sugar :D
willyow,
Apr 11, 5:24pm
Vodka is best for making your own vanilla extract - ethyl alcohol (vodka) is odourless andflavourless - so it doesn'teffect thevanilla flavour. It serves two purposes -It extracts the flavour - then it carries the flavour preserving it . Brandy gives it abit of a brandy flavour - but is still OKas brandytends to go very well withfruit flavours especially.It is best to make sure you've got the rocket fuel version - some cheapo vodkas out there only have a low level of alcohol in them- you want the 80 proof plus types.
elliehen,
Apr 11, 10:43pm
I spirited away at Christmas some left over vodka.must have been saving it for this.Could you please post your 'instructions' for making one's own vanilla extract!
mwood,
Apr 11, 10:52pm
In NZ we recognise the % Alcohol as ABV (Alcohol By Volume) Proof is 2x the ABV so 40% ABV is 80 Proof. We do not have high proof like USA EverClear which is 80% ABV or 160% Proof. However 40 % ABV is just fine for Vanilla Extract - 80+% ABV is best for Limoncello etc but you will need to make your own to get this high ABV in NZ
vampiriousmist,
Apr 11, 10:55pm
Which brand would be the percentage needed !
mwood,
Apr 11, 11:05pm
just look at the label and get the cheapest that is around 37.5% to 42% ABV plan on spending about $20 - any thing less will have a low ABV as it reflects the lower taxon the lower ABV - Brands like Smirnodff and Cossak from memory - long time since I sold this.
willyow,
Apr 12, 1:00am
We useRussian duty freeStolichnaya - the Russians know their vodka!
willyow,
Apr 12, 1:01am
The instructions will be in a little parcel which you should almost have.
norse_westie,
Apr 12, 3:00am
When I bought vanilla pods last year and made my own I had to buy vodka because I don't drink the stuff. I loathe the smell of brandy so went with vodka. I did find the cheap brand wasn't so good, but had no idea til I "borrowed" some good stuff off my son.
This year he has made some vodka for my feijoa liqueur efforts, so I'll make up a fresh batch of vanilla extract as well.
vampiriousmist,
Apr 12, 5:12am
Feijoa liquor sounds good. How do you make vodka ! :P woundt mind giving limoncello a go. that stuff is good !
norse_westie,
Apr 12, 6:40am
No idea. He makes several types of alcohol though, and this year made vodka for my recipes. I tried Lemoncillo last year but it wasn't that popular once they tried my feijoa liqueur.
elliehen,
Apr 21, 6:48am
Bumping for mctavi and for a thorough discussion on the differences between vanilla essence and vanilla extract etc
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