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.
3 comments
Interesting. Will definitely try it out. What would you use the rosemary extract for?
I will add it when I make my next batch of hair and body butter and since I can keep it for two years I am sure by then I will have found a recipe for it.
Great post…Thanks
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