Sometimes there’s nothing more satisfying than a good DIY project. My last DIY project has been a few months in the making. Perhaps you’ve noticed my recent obsession with Tahitian Vanilla Extract. Perhaps you haven’t – so here I am, all up in your face, waving my big brown bottle.

The floral notes of Tahitian Vanilla make it perfect for fruit-based confections (or so I’ve read). I’ve spent the last several weeks baking it into just about everything, though The foodies on my Christmas list received their own bottle to experiment with in their kitchens.

So where does one get Tahitian Vanilla beans? You could go to that sparkly, over-priced kitchen store and drop $12 for two Tahitian vanilla pods but that would make for some mighty expensive vanilla extract. I purchase my organic Tahitian Vanilla pods online from The Organic Vanilla Bean Company. I also get my Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla pods there, too.

Tahitian Vanilla Extract
6 Organic Tahitian vanilla pods
1 bottle Vodka (we had a dusty bottle of SKYY on the shelf)

Using a knife or scissors, split the vanilla pods in half length-wise, leaving only 1/2 inch un-cut (this will hold the two halves together and make retrieval easier). Place the pods into the bottle of vodka or into a glass jar and pour in the vodka. Make sure the vanilla pods are completely submerged and cover the container tightly. Place in the back of your pantry and mark the date on your calendar. As you use vanilla beans in other recipes, add the used pods to your home brew. Should you feel the need, shake it! (That’s not a euphemism… I literally mean shake the jar.)

12 weeks later…

You have 750 mls of exotic Tahitian Vanilla extract! As you use vanilla, top the bottle with additional vodka.

If you are giving the vanilla extract away or just want to package it up in a bottle prettier than the vodka came in, pour the vanilla extract into a clean bottle and enjoy. The Container Store has great vanilla-esque bottles in-store. Otherwise, just use the vanilla straight from the vodka bottle. As you notice a drop in the levels, top off with a little more vodka.

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