Vanilla essence is a cheaper version of vanilla extract, not made with 100% vanilla bean. It normally has added sugar and artificial flavours. Vanilla extract, is as the name suggests, a liquid, that has extracted the flavours of pure vanilla. It can be used in baking and other sweet desserts.
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup food grade glycerine
- 1/4 cup boiling water
- 6 x good-quality used vanilla beans (keep hold of the vanilla beans that you have scraped the seeds from in other recipes; store in a resealable bag, refrigerated until ready to use)
- 4 x 125ml glass bottles
Method:
Whisk together the water and glycerine. Halve your vanilla beans lengthways. Divide the vanilla beans between 4 x 125ml sterilised glass bottles, trimming to fit. Pour the glycerine mixture over. Close with a lid and store in a dark place for 2 months (shaking the bottle once a week), until deep in colour. The longer you leave your vanilla extract, the deeper the flavour will develop.
Smart Tips:
- As a rule of thumb, 2 teaspoons is generally the same as using 1 vanilla pod, seeds scraped.
- Food-grade glycerine is different to chemist-sold glycerine. You can find food-grade glycerine from selected specialty food stores and on-line food suppliers.
