Vanilla Update

[phantomcg]

I opened the bottle of vanilla extract I started on Sept. 30th last night and it smells wonderful!! I used vodka with that one and then I started a bottle of vanilla using rum and a batch of Kahula on the 19th of October. I still had a couple of vanilla beans left, so last night I split them and mixed them in with some sugar.

How is your vanilla doing? Has anyone sampled any yet?

Cheryl

[mlou]

I started both vanilla and kahlua Oct. 21 so I have a ways to go but am excited to hear that it is working for everyone else. Makes me think mine will be fine also.

[phantomcg]

Emilycat:

If you set your computer to show the posts from the last 20 days, on page 10 you'll find a thread called "Status of homemade vanilla" and that is where Vanessa posted her Kahlua recipes. On page 13 is a thread called "The best vanilla extract" and that is where the directions for making the vanilla extract are.

Kim: I'll be sure and post any differences I can detect between the two types of vanilla, but that most likely won't be until around Thanksgiving.

Cheryl

[emilycat]

Phantomcg,
I LOVE vanilla and Kahlua...are these recipes in the BB archives? (I'm on a slow computer at work right now, http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif so I don't want to go searching for anything.) If they're not, would you mind posting them?

[RunnerKim]

Cheryl I'll be interested to know when you do a taste test what the differences are between the vodka and rum.

I sarted my on Oct. 3rd and also smells wonderful! About a week or so ago it crossed over from smelling more like vodka to more like vanilla.

Good thing too as I'm almost out of my store bought vanilla and don't want to have to buy more!

Emilycat - yes do a search on either vanilla in just the subject line (or you'll get a bunch of threads with recipes that have vanilla in it) or probably a general search on vanilla beans would do it too.

Kim

[bijoux22]

I started my vanilla Oct 3 with a pint of vodka and 2 beans. The scent is heavenly but the color is only a carmel hue. What color is everyone elses vanilla? I don't know if I should add another bean or just be patient (not always one of my strengths).

[phantomcg]

Bijoux22:
The vanilla that I used the vodka in is still pretty light colored, but the one with the rum (which is 2 weeks "younger") is getting fairly dark. Maybe the type of alcohol you use will make a difference in the color. Of course, I guess if I let the vodka one sit long enough if will keep getting darker.
Cheryl

[debg]

Mine vanilla is going on 4 weeks now and I keep thinking it's pretty light. I have it stored in a cupboard out of the light (will this make a difference??) Should I set it out on the counter? I haven't opened it up to smell it yet, guess I'll do that next!