Making your own herb extract

I am the kind of person who wants to know how things are made and what goes into the food I eat or the butters I use on my body and hair. It has become so increasingly important for me especially with all these horse meat scandals.I try as much as I can to make all my food and now my hair and body butters from scratch. It is a bit more work than justwalking into the shop or buying online but the good thing is you are in control and you can make your things your own.

Today I will show you how to make Rosemary Extract and  Vanilla Extract. It is so easy and it will not take you five minutes, I promise!

Rosemary Extract

Ingredients

Fresh Rosemary needles

40 – proof food grade alcohol – I used  this Vodka here:

Method

Pick fresh rosemary leaves, rinse them and dry them. ( I grow my own rosemary but I am certain you can use the store bought)

Remove the needles from the stem by pulling against the growth pattern.

Place in a glass jar and pour twice as much alcohol as the rosemary. Close tightly and place in a dark place for 5 – 6 weeks before using it

Vanilla Extract

Ingredients:

2 Madagascar Vanilla Beans

1 cup 40-proof food grade alcohol

Method:

With a pairing knife, cut open the vanilla beans and place is a glass jar.

Pour the alcohol in a glass jar. Close tightly and place in a dark place for 5 – 6 weeks before using it

It is as simple as that really. I will post an update in six weeks, so you can see the progress. I was reading somewhere that the extracts will keep a long time and peek at about two years. I will never know really because I am sure by then it will be all gone!

UPDATE 

To see the results after five weeks go to this page here.