Vanilla 101

Discover the bright, floral, and tropical flavor profile of Taiwanese vanilla beans from The Kenting — and learn which spirits pair best for making exceptional single-origin vanilla extract.

Discover the clean, creamy, and versatile flavor profile of Australian vanilla beans from The Brisbane — and learn which spirits pair best for making exceptional single-origin vanilla extract.

Discover the bold, chocolatey, and earthy flavor profile of Haitian vanilla beans from The Varrettes — and learn which spirits pair best for making exceptional single-origin vanilla extract.

Not all jars are created equal. Learn why serious extract makers use wide-mouth workhorse jars for the extraction process and beautiful, kitchen-ready jars for decanting, using, and gifting their finished vanilla extract.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.