Vanilla extract

[Daisy]

I was going to buy vanilla extract today but when I read the ingredients list they all contained alcohol as a carrier medium and preservative. Usually grain alcohol. Is there a more natural vanilla extract available? One that doesn't contain alcohol?

[Revvell]

I've heard of it yet, not seen it. Alcohol is usually used to extract the flavor. I've used it myself when making cayenne tincture. Could use the bean itself although it's quite expensive.

Revvell

[MelissaB]

At my health food store they carry an organic alcohol free vanilla extract. I prefer the taste of it over the alcohol based extract.

[VeganVixen]

yes ,frontier organics sells oil based extracts,you can find it at either a larger h.f.s (whole foods has it) or online at http://www.frontiercoop.com/shop/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=bfla

[swingbolder]

I just tried my first vanilla bean pod today. I got it at the health food store, the pod looks like a brownish licorice stick but inside are the beans. You're supposed to cut the pod and take out the beans but I just cut about 1/2 inch piece off and ground it up in the coffee grinder, then threw it in the blender with almond milk, honey and a banana. It was very delicious. Cost about 5 dollars.

[rawpriestess]

Hi, yes, you can use vanilla bean, if you have a coffee grinder, then you can grind the entire bean, if you don't have a coffee grinder or vitamix, then you can just scrape the innerd out, they should be very sticky if it's fresh.

You can make your own vanilla extract. It takes one bean to make 9 gallons of vanilla extract, however that is the cooked and alcohol version.

If you choose to make your own, you can use vodka as the alcohol, or you can simply make vanilla oil, with olive oil, by grinding the vanilla bean and placing it in a bottle of oil.

I prefer to use the whole bean, and it is so delicious that it is worth the cost.

Frontier brand is about $10 per 2 ounce bottle, I'd rather pay the $3 or $4 for a fresh bean, it smells sooooooo delicious.

[Daisy]

Fantastic! Thanks everyone! :)

[Daisy]

This website sells vanilla extract without alcohol: www.sunorganicfarm.com

[Pailani]

Cost about 5 dollars.

For how much? Surely not one pod?

[VeganVixen]

yep! ,but the seeds can be portioned and used more than once