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cmo

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    The make-your-own vanilla extract experiment

    in Cooking

    Posted

    I know this was posted a long time ago, but, cmo, I would like to let you know that ALL of the extracts I started in the post above yours, and the ones I started in 2012, were vacuumed a bit. I think this is an effect of temperature change and sealed alcohol, but I don't know for sure. There may be some ethanol evaporation over time, too, but I really don't know if oxygen and ethanol molecules are similarly sized.

     

    I do know, though, that these jars were closed in June, when it was in excess of 80 degrees in the house, and I opened them in February, when it was in the high 60's to low 70's, so some gas contraction could have an effect.

     

    This is all just to say that I don't think that what happened to your extracts was unusual, and they're probably safe to use.

     

    Just found this, which talks about the latent heat of vaporization. Haven't read through the whole thing, yet, but it sounds like it might explain the phenomenon.

     

    ETA link.

    Thanks.  I have since used the vanilla in pound cakes and rice pudding.  I must say that I love the flavor of the Tahitian in the cakes, and Bourbon in the pudding.  Now my question is, I found that I still have beans left from that experiment (from 2010) that are dried out.  Some are still vacuum sealed, and some were in a ziploc.  Is it okay to make more vanilla with those, and should I do something special to them before I start the vanilla?

    The make-your-own vanilla extract experiment

    in Cooking

    Posted

    I started some vanilla extract after reading this thread in 2010, but I am afraid to use it. The reason is because I used canning jars, and when I checked on them last year the jars had apparently self sealed so that the popper thing in the middle was down as if it had been canned. I also used one of the cheapest vodkas the ABC store had because I had already bought it before reading this thread. Is it safe to use? I think I used 8 -12 beans in each pint jar. I did not sterilized the jars, I just washed them in super hot water.

    Thanks in advance

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