Vanilla extract - the finished project!

If you've been reading this blog for a while, you may remember that I started a long term project in November last year: making my own vanilla extract. Well, a little over two months later, it's time to reveal the finished result!
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The clear vodka has taken on a lovely dark golden brown colour. The difference is dramatic, just look at the photos I snapped when I started this thing. And the smell, oh the smell, it's amazing! The sting of alcohol is all but gone, and a rich, strong vanilla odour is revealed when the bottle is opened. Fantastic. I've tried it in a couple of recipes already, and I swear it makes a real difference.
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My mother got the big bottle for her birthday this week. The big bottle is, well, big. That one is going to last her until the house falls down, honestly I could have given her half that amount and she'd still have trouble finishing it off. But hey, the bottle was nice (it used to hold chocolate sauce) and I could put a whole vanilla pod in there for decoration (and taste, as the vodka will continue to draw flavour from it). Plus she's my mother, I just couldn't give her that tiny little one, right? ;)
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The decoration on these bottles may be a little over the top... I saw this awesome project at the Prima blog and felt inspired, but adapted it a little to fit the materials I had lying around and the style preference of the recipient. A cleaner look, but still a little much perhaps.

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I decanted about two thirds of the extract and still have about 200ml of that left. It will be distributed into bottles of the small size and given to friens and family. And myself of course! And crazy as I am, I used the remaining third of extract as base for another batch... :) If I can't give them all away I'll just sell them.

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I made a little booklet of recipies and tips to go with it, but I'll have to show that later. Forgot to snap pictures before I wrapped it up, silly me. ;)