Homemade Vanilla Extract

[Surveyor1]

I just bought a dozen 16oz flip top bottles to make pepper sauce.  I also want to make some homemade vanilla extract so I looked online.  Pretty straight forward but I wanted to check with the local experts!  Please share info like how many bean pods per bottle?  Have you ever made with rum or bourbon and was there a taste difference or any other benefits over vodka?  We don’t use a lot of extract right now but I know it would be used heavily in a SHTF world!  Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom!

[Abigayle]

Surveyor, I made it with rum  ( Captain Morgan) a couple years ago (21').  I used three long Madagascar vanilla beans, in two separate bottles apron 2 cups each; gave them a year.  I am still using them.  One has not been opened yet.  They claim you can start another bottle using the old ones, but mine are still in the bottles. The beans are apron 7" long.
Prices vary, depending who takes over the management over there.  When the field owners control the plants, prices are better.  Also, like any farmer, how the crops did this year plays a role.
Look for reviews on line before you purchase; this can change from year to year.  If by chance you get them and they are dry with  little or no vanilla flavoring, call and complain.  The should replace them.  I had good luck the first time, but heard this information in the reviews.  Be sure to give them a gentle shake, for about two weeks, more does not hurt.  Good luck!

[Surveyor1]

Thanks Abigayle!  Did you cut them or put them in whole?  I ordered 4 ounces of pods so it should be enough for about 3 good batches?  After researching I learned the Madagascar beans have a more traditional vanilla flavor while the Tahitian have more of a flowery accent, I got the Madagascar 😎.  Looking forward to experimenting as I know there are many uses with vanilla extract while baking, gotta have the fun foods so we won’t go bonkers! 

[Abigayle]

 I used them whole, but I split them (check instructions, I may have just beat them up a little). Mine is none too strong, as in knock your socks off, but it is fine.  I wish I had added one more to each one, or at least a half.  The flavor is good and since it cost far less than the current 13.00 a bottle for the same size, I feel I can use a little more if I wish.
Coco is up 130% from last year.  We were warned...but 130%?  Thor saw half price Easter Chocolate yesterday and didn't buy it.  I guess I didn't raise him right.
There are still a few good deals around of chocolate chips with coco (Semi-sweet)
Those needing vitamins and soaps, check out  I herb today, one day earth sale 20% off, but look at their closeouts.  They have some with five stars, like dish soap and hand wash refills.  They were like 2.00 each.

[Surveyor1]

Thanks Abigayle!  We picked up some Hershey’s miniatures at 50% off, got 3 bags!  My wife raised me right, huh?  We were hoping to score some Dove’s dark chocolate but no luck😢…. I’ll let you know in 6 months how my vanilla extract comes out, I’m sure it will be fine!

We have a hen that hasn’t laid in the past week so chicken pie is on the menu for Sunday!  With the cost of feed, nobody gets a free ride anymore!  It sucks because for awhile there she was my best layer!  Oh well the circle of life everyone else ramped up their game for spring except 1.  If a deer jumps over my garden fence it may be on the menu for next week🤔, no quarter!!!

[Abigayle]

Surveyor, If she was your best layer, she may be taking some downtime. A week isn't long.  Is she molting?  There was a drastic change in the weather.  Is she bullied?  Check her vent and see it it is normal.  You may have a black snake....or??? How old is she?

[Surveyor1]

Best I can recollect she’s probably pushing 6???  Her production started falling off a couple years ago by probably 40%, then last year it dropped probably another half and has been slowly going downhill since.  It had gotten to the point that as light as her production has been it wasn’t really worth the cost of the feed.  It hasn’t been suddenly but an over time thingy.  She’s gone a week without laying this year a few times so I just think the ole girl has laid all she wants at this point.  She’s healthy but I guess it’s just the circle of a chickens life.  I’ve waited to long before and the meat almost wasn’t even good enough for soup.  An old friend of mine (RIP) told me one time, “Hell even cannibals won’t eat an 85 year old😳”…. I miss his wit and insight😢!

[Abigayle]

With that information, you are correct.  Each hen is born with the number of eggs she will lay in a lifetime.  That is why I don't care to see people use light to extend laying seasons.  Their bodies know when they need a rest.  I pick breeds that will lay through the winter.  As along as I get what I need, I don't push it.  Right now, I have Speckled  Sussex, Olive Eggers and two Red Stars.  They will start laying in about ten weeks.  Until then, my friend that has my last batch brings me plenty of eggs when she comes through our area, or for a visit.
I learned something knew from many old preppers.  The skin is where the good stuff resides that we want when we have a cold, etc.  Just wash it good, but keep that fat.  For a few years, I removed the skin before putting the bird in the crock pot.  I have added grated ginger and garlic to my recipe for additional health benefits.  It's great, if I do say so myself.

[Abigayle]

Thor went out to run errands again.  This time he came home with the last 8 solid chocolate bunnies at 75% off.  He redeemed himself.  It was the only solid chocolate left.
Sooo if some of you are teaching for good deals on chocolate to put back, try the drug stores.  Thor went to Walgreen's.  I will repackage them.

[Abigayle]

On storing Chocolate.  The longest lasting is dark, bitter sweet and semi-sweet.  White chocolate stores about a year.
Store in a cool, dark place; not in the fridge or freezer.  If it is well packaged it can stay in place.  Ours had light plastic and paper so I stock it in a mylar with a small oxygen absorber.
On chocolate chips, 12 oz package will fit in a pint jar. fill to the top.  This will make one batch of cookies.  Maybe I said this already, I am getting old.  I did find a small bag powdered coco at the dollar store yesterday.  They had two left so I only took one, since I have a can and other sources.
There is a lot of talk about F.E.M.A.  taking food from us.  I think they will hit warehouses and other large targets.  Going into areas where they will be walking on hot brass is above their pay grades.  I do wonder about an armed I.R.S.  What are they really after.  Think I will make a more fashionable tin hat.
My "collections". go back 30 years and more.  I am not depriving anyone of anything.  If they wanted something, they should have planned ahead. I don't know how much more warning people could have, that sumthin ain't right.We have given up plenty of things and trips we would have liked, to keep our family safe. Not rolling over now.

[8greenbeans]

When I did it, I used vodka. I want to use bourbon or rum next time as I did/do not like that sharp alcohol of the vodka. It's more mellow in other alcohols. I used 10-12 beans, chopped, in a pint jar, and filled the rest with vodka.
Don't get me wrong, the vanilla flavor turns out well in the baking and hot drinks. I just want to see if it will be different with another alcohol so that I can use it in other things like cold drinks, ice cream, candies, etc, without the slight but sharp vodka-ness.

[Surveyor1]

I ended up with 4 - 16 oz bottles of ef extract.  2 bottles with vodka and 2 bottles with gold rum. I used 1 oz of beans per bottle so I’m sure this stuff will be rich and refillable 😎!  I guess I will let you know how it turned out in a year🤷‍♂️…. As a bonus my house smells great after cutting the beans😎.