Vanilla Extract Prices $$$$

[latenight71]

Maybe it's come to this SheilaAnn . . .

[Jerod Broussard]

If someone can utilize Extract of Llama, surely a wild vanilla animal can be captured and utilized as well.....plus that would be organic.

[Bkhuna]

I'm gonna' start running vanilla bean pods across the border.

[UncleSpike]

We did it. Made one bottle with Vodka and one with Bourbon. Well worth it, and simple to do.

[JoeSousa]

I have seen vanilla extract prices drop considerably here. A few months back the bottles of Costco vanilla extract were pushing $30 but when I looked last week they were $15. Not sure if they changed something or not. Didn't look that close.

[grantgallagher]

I was trying to remember where but that was my first thought too.

[Wedunne]

Apparently most of the world's vanilla is grown in Madagascar. They've had several destructive storms in recent years that have destroyed a lot of crops. Probably that plus the whole worldwide supply chain thing.

https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/food-facts/vanilla-so-expensive.htm

[noeltjen]

We've been making our own for years. A few good beans split almost to the top and some vodka. In a month or 2 you'll have your own extract. We have 2 bottles going, both with vanilla beans and use out of one. When that gets about half gone, I top it off with the 2nd bottle, then top that one off with vodka. Change the beans every year or 2 (depending on how fast you use it) and your good to go.

[smokin fool]

My wife was looking at VE last week shopping, couldn't believe the prices.
We passed for now, time will tell if that was a good or bad idea..

[jfmorris]

The issue is that high quality vanilla beans are not cheap either. At The Spice House, one vanilla bean for $8.99, or 3 for $22.99:

https://www.thespicehouse.com/products/madagascar-vanilla-beans

[jfmorris]

I get the 12 ounce bottles of McCormick pure vanilla extract at Sam's Club, and those are currently what I thought was high at $20ish. I was buying it for like $8 a few years back.

Lately I've seen stuff for same (cheap) called Molina Mexican Vanilla Blend. Not sure what's in it, but I've seen it several places on the cheap. The label said it had vanillin (whatever that is) as an ingredient before vanilla, so I skipped past it.

[Huskee]

My wife wants to get into making her own vanilla extract, she tells me it's rather easy but we've not tried it yet. Once she mentioned vodka I got sidetracked....

[SheilaAnn]

Holy scha-moley, vanilla is stupid expensive now. I recall my Penzey’s clerk warning me a few years ago. She was not kidding.
Vanilla Double Strength
I use this in all my cookies. So good. But may need to rethink!
Nielsen Massey Madagascar Vanilla
I have used this brand repeatedly at various jobs. Solid ingredient.
Then I am thinking of making my own.
Heart & Harvest Madagascar Vanilla (Amazon)
Madagascar Vanilla Beans
Bakers of Sweets, what say you?
@Ernest
@gboss
Richard Chrz
skipsdaughter
Dr. Pepper