# What to do with vanilla pods?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-vanilla-pods/681279
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [February 13, 2014, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-vanilla-pods/681279 "2014-02-13T20:25:52Z")
**Posts on this page:** 9
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)
#### Post date: [February 13, 2014, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-vanilla-pods/681279/1 "2014-02-13T20:25:52Z")
My parents recently went on holiday to Madagascar, and brought me back a bunch of vanilla pods. Maybe 20 of them (they’re kind of wedged in a bamboo container, and I’ve not pulled 'em all out to count).
I’m not a great cook, and I’ve never used them before, so what should I do with them? Any (vegetarian) recipe ideas?
I’d especially like easy cake recipes, as I’m going to be spending half of tomorrow attempting to bake cakes. Thanks in advance!
---
### Author:  [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)
#### Post date: [February 13, 2014, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-vanilla-pods/681279/2 "2014-02-13T22:16:33Z")
Easiest thing to do it stick them in a container of sugar and leave them there. They’ll give the sugar a nice vanilla flavoring.
---
### Author:  [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)
#### Post date: [February 13, 2014, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-vanilla-pods/681279/3 "2014-02-13T22:18:54Z")
“Lieutenant Dan, Ice Cream!”
---
### Author:  [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)
#### Post date: [February 13, 2014, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-vanilla-pods/681279/4 "2014-02-13T22:31:09Z")
You could make your own vanilla flavored vodka. I just did a google search for make your own vanilla vodka and a ton of recipes showed up.
---
### Author:  [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)
#### Post date: [February 13, 2014, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-vanilla-pods/681279/5 "2014-02-13T22:50:21Z")
Or make your own extract. With vodka. Put cracked open pod in a cup or two of milk. Let it seep for a little bit and make pancakes with the milk. Heat the milk and make pudding (strain the pod pieces when cooking, of course.) Make a simple syrup and add a pod to it. Put it in seltzer or make cocktails.
---
### Author:  [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)
#### Post date: [February 13, 2014, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-vanilla-pods/681279/6 "2014-02-13T23:17:24Z")
Mail them to me. PM for address.
---
### Author:  [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)
#### Post date: [February 13, 2014, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-vanilla-pods/681279/7 "2014-02-13T23:25:07Z")
Good ideas so far, thanks! I just counted them out, and there’s 24 pods, so I could try all the above and more!
Sadly though, I haven’t been able to drink vodka since I was… uhh… 17 (only one year underage here at least). I did try someone’s home made vanilla stuff last year, and couldn’t stomach it. I reckon I’d be fine with essence.
---
### Author:  [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)
#### Post date: [February 14, 2014, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-vanilla-pods/681279/8 "2014-02-14T03:33:32Z")
To use them in cooking, slit the pods open lengthwise with a sharp knife and scrape the seeds out of the inside with its tip. Transfer them to whatever it is you’re cooking.
To make vanilla extract, seal several in a Mason jar with neutral spirits. The extract is ready to use when it’s dark brown.
---
### Author:  [@boozilu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boozilu)
#### Post date: [February 14, 2014, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-vanilla-pods/681279/9 "2014-02-14T16:47:23Z")
I put 9 in 10 ounces of vodka and swirl for a few months. Home-made vanilla at a fraction of the cost. You can also use rum or another liquor for a different flavor, but I like to use vodka because I think the vanilla flavor really shines through. I just finished a batch last week and have a new one steeping.