Do you love vanilla? Shockingly, only about 1% of “vanilla flavor” in food products are from real beans! If you're eating real foods and shying away from chemicals and lab-produced substitutes, it’s time to make some REAL vanilla extract! But where do real vanilla beans comes from? And what’s vanilla got to do with bees?

Here’s a fun fact: without a little bee, Vanilla (our most popular spice in the world), would have never come to bee… pun intended! The Melipona Bee, is a native to Mexico where vanilla originated. Sadly, this bee is now extinct in Madagascar, which used to grow 75% of the worlds vanilla beans! Farmers now must pollinate by hand now, causing vanilla bean prices to skyrocket.

Big businesses keep up with high demand by selling cheap and unhealthy vanilla fakes. About 99% of all “vanilla” products are artificially flavored. Imitation extract costs about $.12 cents an ounce. It’s made with a petroleum base, with added chemicals, sugar, flavorings and colorings. There’s usually no alcohol added. So unhealthy and gross!

The real deal comes from small farms, costing about $3.25 an ounce (21 times more than the fake stuff)! Pure extract by law much be 35% alcohol. It’s plant based with tastes of woodsy notes, floral, and bold! The most popular rummy vanilla flavor comes from Madagascar beans, but they have the least amount of crops. Tahitian beans create a floral extract, while Mexican beans (where vanilla originates) is quite bold. When stored in a cool and dark area, pure extract lasts for over 10 years. It darkens with age, appearing hazy, which just needs a good shake before using.

Who knew vanilla has such a complicated past? And that’s not even jumping into the theft, murders or slavery connection. I don’t know about you but my head is spinning. For now, let’s save the Melipona Bee from extinction from Mexico and Tahiti! By saving our bees, real food and affordable options with be available for future generations to come.

Cheers, meows, and bee happy,
Alison, Hobbes & "the girls"
www.PurrFectHoney.com

#DIYVanillaExtract
#HowDoYouMakeVanillaExtract
#HomemadeVanillaExtract

INGREDIENTS:
1 Vanilla bean, Grade B (Tahitian Bean for floral notes, Mexican Bean for bold)
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1 Cup Inexpensive Vodka (at least 35% alcohol), like Smironoff
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INSTRUCTIONS:
Split bean lengthwise. Scrap out the vanilla bean caviar (seeds & pulp) and put into a glass jar Masson jar (16 oz). Gently warm 1 cup vodka until steaming. Pour over bean and caviar Cool to room temperature. Seal jar with lid. Gently shake daily for one week.

Store in a dark place at least 6 weeks before using. For optimal flavor, wait 6-12 months. The longer the beans sit, the stronger the vanilla flavor. Strain (optional). Pour into cute jars with tight fitting lids for gifts. Store in a cool, dark place indefinitely. Pure Vanilla Extract is virtually spoil proof due to the alcohol content. Enjoy for years to come. Makes a great gift!

KITCHEN TOOLS & MISC:
Apple Watch
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Apron, Busy Being Fabulous Sweetheart
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Cutting Board; bamboo (14.5 x 11.5)
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Glass Muth Jar With Cork (8 oz)
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Glass Masson Jar, Wide-Mouth (16 oz)
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Honey Bear (2 oz)
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Honey For Sale Sign
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Kit Cat Clock, The Original
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Knife; Wusthof (8 inch)
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Mixing spoon, gold kitty
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*Recipe inspired by the book: “The New Best Recipe” by Americas Test Kitchen
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**As Amazon Associates, our non-profit earns from qualifying purchases.

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