Vanilla 101
3 Must-Have Extracts to Make During June, July & August
These three summer artisan vanilla extract blends are ready in as little as two months — so you can enjoy them this summer. Keep the beans submerged through winter and they'll be even more vanilla-forward by next summer. Use them now, or wait — both are delicious options.
Why Vanilla Extract is The Perfect Gift That Captures a Moment Forever
Homemade vanilla extract is more than a pantry staple — it's a gift that captures a moment in time. Easy to make with anyone, endlessly customizable, and built to last a lifetime, it's one of the most meaningful things you can create and share.
Top 10 Things We Do With Our Homemade Vanilla Extract
From baking and gifting to cocktails and memory-making, discover the top 10 ways we use our homemade vanilla extract — and why extract making is about so much more than flavor.
Can I Add Sugar & Sweeteners to My Vanilla Extract?
Commercial vanilla extract makers can legally add corn syrup, sugar, and artificial colors to their extract and still call it "pure" — as long as they meet the FDA's bean and alcohol requirements. Here's why they do it, and why home extractors don't need to.
Peruvian vs. Mexican V. Pompona Vanilla Beans: The Rioja vs. The Oaxaca
Same species, two very different beans. Discover how Peruvian and Mexican V. pompona vanilla beans compare in size, shape, and flavor — and which spirits bring out the best in each when making your own vanilla extract.
The Best Father's Day Gift: Make Vanilla Extract With Dad
Make homemade vanilla extract with dad this Father's Day — a simple, personal, and lasting gift that captures a moment in time. Choose beans based on his favorite desserts, use his favorite spirit, and create something that will remind you of him every time you bake.
Can I Blend My Spirits/Alcohols When Making Vanilla Extract?
Got a half bottle of one vodka and a half bottle of another? Here's what you need to know before blending spirits for your homemade vanilla extract.
Uganda Vanilla vs. Tanzania Vanilla: Two African Vanilla Beans, Two Very Different Extracts
Ugandan and Tanzanian vanilla beans are both V. planifolia from East Africa — but they couldn't taste more different. Compare their flavor profiles, best uses, and ideal spirits to find your perfect African vanilla extract.
The Birthday Gift That Lasts for Decades: Make Vanilla Extract for Someone You Love
A homemade vanilla extract gift box is the perfect birthday gift — personal, beautiful, and built to last for decades. Learn how to choose the right vanilla beans, monthly blend, jar, label, spirit, and finishing touches to create a birthday memory that never expires.
5 Springtime Vanilla Extracts You Must Make This Season
Spring calls for light, floral, and delicately sweet vanilla extracts. Here are 5 origin-and-spirit combinations to start now — perfect for macarons, berry tarts, whipped creams, and warm-weather cocktails.
Why Hurricanes Never Cross the Equator — And What That Means for Vanilla Farmers
Hurricanes and typhoons cannot cross the equator — a fact of atmospheric physics that has profound implications for vanilla farming. Learn why equatorial growing regions are storm-protected, and what Cyclone Enawo's 2017 destruction of Madagascar's vanilla crop revealed about global supply chain fragility.
Why Is There Condensation Inside My Vanilla Extract Jar?
Noticed condensation inside your sealed vanilla extract jar? It's completely normal. Learn the science behind why moisture forms inside a closed jar with alcohol and vanilla beans — and what it means for your extract.
