Vanilla Extract (1 oz.)

Experience the more than 200 flavor elements from slowly extracted hand pollinated traditionally cured and dried vanilla beans.

Vanilla planifolia – Cured and dried beans extracted in 40% organic alcohol

The sweet vanilla orchid flower must be hand pollinated as the solitary bee that was the only pollinator is thought to be extinct in the world. Every morning between the early hours of 7-9am, when the pollen is most receptive, we put on our bee suits and hand pollinate each flower. It is tricky pollination, a skill that needs to be honed for good pollen transfer. This allows for a large bean to develop.

Pollination usually takes place on our farm from approximately April to June… rain or shine. This year we hand pollinated 7153 blooms and will see what our success rate is when we harvest the beans.

How to pollinate

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RdoTcDD2EU

The beans grow for about 9 months and are individually harvested when exhibiting signs of maturity. We then expose the beans to the sun for several hours every day for 7 days, wrapping them in towels to sweat at night. The beans are then carefully dried and stored in air tight containers for up to 1 year or more so the vanillin crystals and their deep intoxicating flavor. Beans are sorted according to size

Beans are sorted according to size, the largest sold for whole bean and others made into extract using 40% high quality vodka.

Instructions for making your own Vanilla extract

For 8 oz of extract you will need 6 to 7 beans.

Slice each bean along its length and place in a glass bottle. If the beans are too long for your bottle you can also chop them into smaller pieces to fit your container.

Pour your choice of good quality alcohol over the pieces to completely cover them, about 1 cup full. We like to use  vodka as it makes a stronger extraction but some people enjoy the milder taste of a rum extract.

Allow your extract infusion to sit in a dark place at room temperature for about 8 to 10 weeks minimum. The longer you allow it to infuse the stronger it will become. It helps to shake your infusion daily, if you can.