Use a clean glass jar with a tight-fitting lid when you make homemade vanilla extract. Choose a large clear glass container for your Mother Jar that you keep in a dark, cool place like your pantry and you can keep adding to over the years. Transfer the extract to a smaller amber glass jar which you can keep in your kitchen for daily use.
Clear glass is recommended because you can see what is happening inside. You need to check that the vanilla beans are fully submerged so they don’t start to rot, and you can gauge the readiness of the liquid by its colour. Pure vanilla extract should be dark brown with a golden, shimmering hue. The darker the colour, the stronger the vanilla flavour.
Amber glass is recommended for extract that you keep next to the stove or on your countertop for daily use. The amber glass provides UV protection, preventing sunlight that streams into your kitchen from speeding up the evaporation process and diluting the flavour and colour of the extract.
Mason jars are a great choice for your Mother Jar because they are perfectly designed to preserve foods. You can use one with a screw-top lid but most home bakers and cooks prefer a Mason jar with a steel clamp lid. The rubber ring on the underside of the top lid creates a vacuum seal, trapping in the vanilla goodness and keeping bacteria out. The steel clamp ensures the glass jar is airtight
FAQs
Use a clean glass jar with a tight-fitting lid when you make homemade vanilla extract. Choose a large clear glass container for your Mother Jar that you keep in a dark, cool place like your pantry and you can keep adding to over the years.
What is the best proof for vanilla extract? ›
For vanilla extract, smoother and cleaner means you get to taste stronger tones of vanilla. The vast majority of Vodka is 80 proof or 40% alcohol. The FDA dictates that a pure vanilla extract needs to be at least 70 proof or 35% alcohol, and this makes Vodka an ideal choice for vanilla extraction.
Should vanilla be in amber bottles? ›
Amber bottles will help block light so that your vanilla extract will keep well. Clear glass bottles are just fine, though. Just be sure to store them in a dark place like a kitchen cabinet. With either kind of bottle, keep your vanilla extract stored in a cool, dry place.
How to sterilize jars for vanilla extract? ›
Some people like to sanitize them in a dishwasher, but I say there's no better way to sanitize than a dip in boiling water. I suggest keeping a large pot of boiling water on the stove top, that way you can dip the bottles one at a time as you work. Fish them out of the hot water with tongs to avoid burns.
What is a mother jar when making vanilla extract? ›
A vanilla extract Mother jar is a large glass container with an airtight lid that holds fresh and spent beans that you are saving to use later.
Is Grade A or B better for vanilla extract? ›
The short summary is this: With grade-B vanilla beans you can really only make extracts, but the extracts will be very sweet. With grade-A vanilla beans you can make still make very sweet vanilla extract, and much, much more. Grade-A beans (often called "gourmet vanilla beans") are visually a more beautiful bean.
Can you use 80 proof for vanilla extract? ›
Use either. 80 proof Alcohol: Vanilla extract is most commonly made from vodka, but you can use bourbon, brandy, or rum instead. I usually use vodka, but the one bottle of bourbon vanilla I made 7 months ago is DIVINE. No need to splurge on expensive alcohol.
What kind of jar is best for vanilla extract? ›
Use a clean glass jar with a tight-fitting lid when you make homemade vanilla extract. Choose a large clear glass container for your Mother Jar that you keep in a dark, cool place like your pantry and you can keep adding to over the years.
What color bottle is best for vanilla extract? ›
You want to buy the amber bottles as they will protect your vanilla from sunlight. I recommend either the 4 ounce or the 8 ounce bottles.
Should vanilla extract be in a dark bottle? ›
Select a dark glass or amber-colored bottle for your vanilla extract. Light can degrade the quality of the extract by breaking down its aromatic compounds. Dark glass helps to protect the extract from light exposure, preserving its flavor and aroma. Air can also impact the quality of vanilla extract over time.
Some people suggest sterilising the jar first but bacteria cannot grow in 40% alcohol so I didn't bother with this step. And because of the alcohol it will last for years. Give it a quick shake, then store in a dark place like the pantry for about 2 months. Keeping it out of the light helps keep the nutritional value.
Can I use mason jars for homemade vanilla? ›
All you need is a container, waxed paper, vanilla beans, and some alcohol. If you don't drink alcohol or use alcohol to cook with, you can use food-grade vegetable glycerin. Container: You can use any glass container you would like that has a lid. I like to use pint-sized mason jars with plastic lids.
Is it OK to make vanilla extract in plastic bottles? ›
For best results, store your homemade vanilla extract in an airtight glass bottle with a resealable stopper. Don't use plastic—the alcohol will degrade the plastic overtime and cause it to leech chemicals into your extract. You can buy airtight glass bottles with resealable lids online.
Is DIY vanilla extract worth it? ›
Going from vanilla bean to vanilla extract is economical and delicious. Compared to store bought vanilla, making vanilla extract is much cheaper. On average it costs $5 per ounce at the grocery store, but you can make it for $1.65 per ounce. That's 60% cheaper than what you'd buy at the store!
What to do with vanilla beans after making vanilla extract? ›
Vanilla Sugar & Salt
The most common use for spent beans is to dry them and bury them in a jar of sugar. Or, better yet, dry the pods and whirr them in a blender or food processor with sugar.
Which alcohol is best for vanilla extract? ›
Choosing an Alcohol
- Vodka will give you the smoothest, purest, most unadulterated and well-balanced vanilla flavor and is my preference.
- Grain alcohol has more of a bite to it and typically pulls the flavor from the beans faster than vodka. ...
- Bourbon will yield a smooth, warm extract with caramel undertones.
Anything over 80 proof is fine and makes a lovely extract. It's true, though, that the higher the proof, the more vanilla essence will be extracted into the liquid.
How can you tell if vanilla extract is good quality? ›
For a good extract, make sure it is actually extract.
Vanilla flavor is made without alcohol. Propylene glycol or glycerine are used. If it's labeled pure vanilla extract, it's extract. If it's labeled “flavor,” it can't contain alcohol.
Which is better vanilla flavoring for vanilla extract? ›
Vanilla beans, paste, and extracts have more depth of flavor than imitation vanilla, but many of those flavor notes break down at the high temperatures used during baking. For this reason, imitation vanilla is preferred by some bakers for cookies and cakes.
