Because of the specific alcohol content requirements in pure vanilla extract, it stays fresh, flavorful, and aromatic a long time. Not many bakers can make a bottle of vanilla extract last for that long, anyway.
You can smell the bottle and take a small taste sample before using it. If it smells or tastes wrong, dispose of it. Imitation vanilla, much like pure vanilla, is unlikely to actually go bad. The more likely situation is that it will simply lose its power. Imitation vanilla will become less aromatic and less flavorful after about 2 years, especially in poor storage conditions. It is important to note, however, that there is a noticeable difference between imitation or artificial vanilla and pure vanilla extract.
You may even think your vanilla has gone bad! That is usually not the case, however. They just smell and taste slightly differently. At one time in history, Mexican vanilla was world-renowned for its purity.
Vanilla beans originally come from Mexico, as well as other Caribbean and Central American countries. Unfortunately, the vanilla extract market in these countries was severely disturbed in the early 20 th century during the Mexican Revolution. Since then, most vanilla extract exported from there is artificial. This short and brief history lesson is shared to explain that Mexican vanilla extract can be expected to be on par with any other artificial or imitation vanilla extract, unless you can be sure it is a pure extract.
If you buy your Mexican vanilla extract straight from Mexico, you should know that they sometimes use an additional ingredient. Coumarin is often added to enhance the flavor. However, coumarin can be dangerous for anyone using blood thinners , so be careful when checking the ingredients list if this is a concern for you. As previously discussed, your vanilla extract is unlikely to go bad in an unhealthy or unsafe way.
But it can be extremely disappointing to use a vanilla extract that has lost is potency and results in baked goods without the proper vanilla essence. When it comes to vanilla extract, your nose is always your best tool for discerning how fresh your vanilla is.
Just keep in mind that artificial vanilla has a different aroma than pure vanilla. Smell it often to get accustomed to the difference. Cloudy vanilla extract is usually because your vanilla has been stored in an environment where it was regularly exposed to direct light or heat. The warmth can cause evaporation , even if the bottle seems tightly sealed, and this can turn your vanilla extract cloudy.
Still, as long as you can smell the heavenly scent of vanilla when you open the bottle it will be safe to use and should be just as effective as a non-cloudy extract. A surprising number of people inquire about black specks in vanilla extract. But it seems to be a question more associated with black specks in vanilla-flavored foods, such as vanilla bean ice cream. Any visible pieces of anything in your vanilla extract may be a sign of cross-contamination. They should not be in your extract.
Use glass jars. I like to get a combination of 2 ounce jars and 4 ounce jars. I also recommend using dark glass jars to keep light out which will help preserve the oils and flavor of the vanilla extract. Use a small funnel. Most recipes for homemade vanilla extract call for vanilla beans per cup of vodka. This will result in a more potent vanilla extract that will make your baked goods and desserts soar.
That will also enable you to use less extract in a recipe to get just as much vanilla flavor without any alcohol flavor. Scraping it out is optional because the flavors will distill into the vodka regardless, but I like the presence of the vanilla bean flecks that settle at the bottom of the bottles. Use any glass jar with a fitted lid that you prefer. I used my quart-sized canning jar this time. Place the scraped out vanilla flecks and beans in the jar with the vodka and screw the lid on tightly.
Make sure the vanilla beans are submerged under the alcohol otherwise any exposed parts can become slimy and potentially ruin your extract. Now your job is simply to give it a shake every now and then during the ripening process. It will become very dark within just a few days.
Aside from the quality of the vanilla beans themselves, the most important factor that determines the quality of your finished vanilla extract is how long you allow the vanilla extract to age. While you can use it in as little as 8 weeks the flavor becomes vastly superior the longer it ages. Optimally you should wait at least 6 months and for the best results wait 12 months.
Something I like to do is trim the vanilla beans to the height of the small bottles and add two pieces in the 2-ounce jars and 4 pieces in the 4-ounce jars.
That means the extract will continue to increase in flavor as it sits. But you can also use those extracted vanilla beans for another delicious purpose….
Yes and no. You can reuse them to make another batch of extract but keep in mind that they will have lost some of their potency and so the next batch will not be as strong. Got some extracted beans left after dividing them up between the small bottles? Seal it shut and let it sit a few weeks, shaking it occasionally. I want to make vanilla extract for Christmas gifts.
Any guidance is appreciated! Hi Desiree, you can do it either way. Thank you! How many beans would you add to a 1. Food Storage - How long can you keep Tips The precise answer to the question 'How long does vanilla extract last? To maximize the shelf life of vanilla extract, store in a cool dry area; keep tightly closed when not in use.
How long does imitation vanilla extract last?
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