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10 Must-Make Desserts with Chocolate Berry Bliss Extract

10 Must-Make Desserts with Chocolate Berry Bliss Extract

Discover 10 show-stopping desserts you can make with VanillaPura's Chocolate Berry Bliss Vanilla Extract Blend — from dark chocolate gelato to raspberry blueberry tarts and chocolate truffles.
VanillaPura Pro
4th of July Desserts Made Better with Homemade Vanilla Extract

4th of July Desserts Made Better with Homemade Vanilla Extract

Five 4th of July dessert pairings — each built around a different homemade vanilla extract. Madagascar with bourbon for classic ice cream, Madagascar with vodka for strawberry shortcake, Mexican with rum for tres leches, Hawaiian with Hawaiian rum for a tropical trifle, and Marquesas with brandy for an elegant berry crème brûlée.
Should You Burp Your Extracts? It Depends on What's in the Jar

Should You Burp Your Extracts? It Depends on What's in the Jar

If you've spent any time in extract-making groups, you've probably heard someone say:

"Don't forget to burp your jars."

But what exactly does that mean?

And more importantly...

Do your extracts actually need it?

The answer depends on what kind of extract you're making.

 

 

Jill Fulton
Topping Off Your Vanilla Extract: When, Why, and How Much?

Topping Off Your Vanilla Extract: When, Why, and How Much?

One of the most common questions we receive is:

"Can I add more alcohol to my extract?"

The answer is usually yes—but the reason you're topping off matters. Most extract makers top off for one of two reasons:

 

 

Jill Fulton
Ghana vs. Brazilian Vanilla Beans: The Kintampo vs. The Olinda

Ghana vs. Brazilian Vanilla Beans: The Kintampo vs. The Olinda

Both V. planifolia, yet worlds apart in flavor. Compare The Kintampo from Ghana — buttery, toffee, and butterscotch — with The Olinda from Brazil — bold chocolate, caramel, and a spicy kick. Same species, different terroir, entirely different extracts.
Can I Add Sugar & Sweeteners to My Vanilla Extract?

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.
Ghana vs Tanzania Vanilla Beans: Two African Origins, One Species, Distinct Souls

Ghana vs Tanzania Vanilla Beans: Two African Origins, One Species, Distinct Souls

Both from Africa, both V. planifolia, both Grade A — but Ghana's Kintampo and Tanzania's Lindi express themselves in beautifully different ways. Discover the subtle flavor differences between these two exceptional African vanilla beans and find out which one belongs in your next extract.
Peruvian vs. Mexican V. Pompona Vanilla Beans: The Rioja vs. The Oaxaca

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

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?

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.
VanillaPura Pro
Uganda Vanilla vs. Tanzania Vanilla: Two African Vanilla Beans, Two Very Different Extracts

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

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.