Indri's Vanilla Bean Group

B

barbara-in-va

Well-known member
The other day I was standing in a long line in Penzys, it was their 50% off the entire store day and the computers could not keep up with the volume. I was chatting with the lady in front of me and she told me about this FB group to order vanilla beans and that the prices are amazing. (Vanilla was not included in the sale.) I have not had a chance to fully explore it but was wondering if any of you have ordered from them and if the quality of the beans are good. There is a major ton of information about making extract with all kinds of booze, vanilla paste, vanilla sugar, etc. Most prople seem to think aging for at least 1 year and up to 2 is great for the best flavor. So, that means that I would need to get started on extract now if I want to give it as gifts next year.
 
barbara, just as a warning, be careful which alcohol you steep your beans in.

I made vanilla extract using sous vide method, Wild Turkey bourbon and eight 6” bean pods.

It made the BOOZIEST extract ever! I’m still diluting it with regular store-bought extract.

Most recipes call for vodka but you know me…I had to go another route and use a booze twice as expensive.

Made it LAST YEAR and it’s still boozey.

On the positive side, I had cut the beans in half to fit in one-cup canning jar. When the process was done, I put the extract in one jar and the bean pods in another. For the past year, I have been extracting the seeds from the pods with incredible ease. Basically, I squeeze them out like toothpaste. When that seems empty, I slice the pod while laying flat…like slicing a bagel in half. Then I scrap out any remaining seeds. Then I dry the pods and stick them in a quart jar of sugar to make vanilla sugar.

I am “literally” squeezing every bit out of the $$ bean pods.

I got my beans from Amazon. They are Tahitian, not Madagascar. $7.99 for 10.

IMG_4462.jpeg

Making vanilla extract--the boozy way

Two weeks ago I realized that 1,600 wedding cookies had blown through my supply of vanilla. While shopping I bought pure vanilla extract and pure vanilla bean paste and then saw another vanilla on sale for 25% off. So...good to go, right? Only then did I read this little article in CI...
recipeswap.org recipeswap.org
 
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Speaking of vanilla, Marg CDN asked about alternates to Niellsen-Massey. I’m reading Christina Tosi (of Momofuko’s Milk Bar fame) and she has opinions.

Her latest book “Bake Club” promises all its recipes use ingredients bought at local grocery store. Her Bake Club started during COVID and she focused on normal kitchen ingredients, not a pastry chef’s pantry.

While not actually calling it out, all of her photos show Spice Island pure vanilla extract.

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barbara-in-va said:
The other day I was standing in a long line in Penzys, it was their 50% off the entire store day and the computers could not keep up with the volume. I was chatting with the lady in front of me and she told me about this FB group to order vanilla beans and that the prices are amazing. (Vanilla was not included in the sale.) I have not had a chance to fully explore it but was wondering if any of you have ordered from them and if the quality of the beans are good. There is a major ton of information about making extract with all kinds of booze, vanilla paste, vanilla sugar, etc. Most prople seem to think aging for at least 1 year and up to 2 is great for the best flavor. So, that means that I would need to get started on extract now if I want to give it as gifts next year.
Click to expand...
I think I’ve heard of this group on a frugal and gardening blog I follow, unfortunately she is on a blog break till after the holidays or I’d ask about it.
 
marilynfl said:
barbara, just as a warning, be careful which alcohol you steep your beans in.

I made vanilla extract using sous vide method, Wild Turkey bourbon and eight 6” bean pods.

It made the BOOZIEST extract ever! I’m still diluting it with regular store-bought extract.

Most recipes call for vodka but you know me…I had to go another route and use a booze twice as expensive.

Made it LAST YEAR and it’s still boozey.

On the positive side, I had cut the beans in half to fit in one-cup canning jar. When the process was done, I put the extract in one jar and the bean pods in another. For the past year, I have been extracting the seeds from the pods with incredible ease. Basically, I squeeze them out like toothpaste. When that seems empty, I slice the pod while laying flat…like slicing a bagel in half. Then I scrap out any remaining seeds. Then I dry the pods and stick them in a quart jar of sugar to make vanilla sugar.

I am “literally” squeezing every bit out of the $$ bean pods.

I got my beans from Amazon. They are Tahitian, not Madagascar. $7.99 for 10.

View attachment 2980

Making vanilla extract--the boozy way

Two weeks ago I realized that 1,600 wedding cookies had blown through my supply of vanilla. While shopping I bought pure vanilla extract and pure vanilla bean paste and then saw another vanilla on sale for 25% off. So...good to go, right? Only then did I read this little article in CI...
recipeswap.org recipeswap.org
Click to expand...
Thank you! Yes I will be careful. Want to ready more about it before I go ordering beans!!
 
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