What are the alcohol content(s) for different extracts?

June 10, 2008 12:30 AM

I'm looking into producing some of my own extracts for baking. Specifically I am trying to find the FDA recommended alcohol content for different flavors (so if I make a lot, it doesn't spoil). Vanilla seems to be 35%, Peppermint 89%. I can't seem to find all the data in one area though. Is there some site that can give me what I need without hours of googling?
posted by jammnrose to food & drink (6 comments total)

http://homecooking.about.com/library/howto/htvanilla.htm
http://community.cookinglight.com/showthread.php?t=59014
http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/learn/extract.php
http://www.google.com/search?q=make+extract

All those links suggest using vodka to make the extract. Probably because it's tasteless.
At the alcohol store here, they sell liquor with a 96% alcohol per volume, that would be perfect for making extracts.
I've done thc extracting with the 96% stuff, it was effective.
posted by PowerCat at 5:23 AM on June 10, 2008

http://earthnotes.tripod.com/howtoextracts.htm

Another good link that has generic info on extracting.
Keep in mind that different active ingredients might have different extraction method. I think the most common home ones are oil, water and alcohol.
posted by PowerCat at 5:28 AM on June 10, 2008

If you go to a liquor store that has a truly knowledgable staff they will give you advice on extracting and which alcohol is best so that you do not bankrupt yourself buying Grey Goose when you only need Swedka.

Remember that it takes time to extract and have the product usable. In the case of Vanilla, I find that several months is required for the extract to be more rounded and less raw. For the amount of money and time may be buying high quality extracts is the better option. If you are a baker I suggest going to the following sites:

The Penzeys family are these two spice merchants -- Spice House Penzeys

King Arthur Flour is a great website and they have a shop that has rare extracts like Fior d'Sicilia which a dab will definitely do you.

The product listings usually show the amount of alcohol used as the carrier base of the extract.
posted by jadepearl at 6:28 AM on June 10, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Personally, I'd recommend using white rum like Bacardi over vodka, if only because I find that rum lacks the nasty vodka aftertaste.

Tito's Hand-Made Vodka, on the other hand, costs something like $20 a bottle (if even that) and has been rated the best in the world in competition. So that's an option if you go with vodka.
posted by DoctorFedora at 7:45 AM on June 10, 2008

So fun, and timely!

This past weekend, I started making vanilla extract using this very detailed guide from instructables. For vanilla, the author recommends using 37-40% alcohol. Once you account for the water in the beans, you should end up right around 35% alcohol content.
posted by mattybonez at 9:11 AM on June 10, 2008

Very helpful! In Europe, they don't use vanilla extract, they have their vanilla in dry sugar powder. I think I'll have to make some.
posted by Goofyy at 8:11 AM on June 11, 2008