Make Vanilla Extract

Step 8 Filter

After 6 months it's time to clean up the extract.

Why clean up the extract? It's probably a personal decision. I'd love to hear what others do. I reason that:

• vanilla beans are fresh for about 12 months - after 6 months in my possession they are likely at least 12 months old. I don't want stale beans to befoul my extract.
• extraction has pretty much happened at 6 months.
• eventually the pods have to be removed or they'll dry out as you use the extract and the beans become exposed.
• you can add fresh beans for an even more concentrated extraction, which is good.

Don't worry, you can dry out the extracted beans and use them to make vanilla sugar.

You will need:

• A clean (sterilized) bottle and cap.
• A clean funnel.
• A coffee filter - or - a clean strainer.

Put the funnel in the clean bottle. Put the filter or strainer in the funnel. If you want vanilla seeds in your final extract use a strainer, otherwise go for the coffee filter. Pour the extract into the funnel and filter it into the clean bottle. Cap tightly.

I didn't have an extra bottle handy, so in the picture below I'm filtering into a clean measuring cup.