Homemade Maple Extract

[Granny Smith]

Homemade Maple Extract

1/4 cup fenugreek seeds
1/2 cup vodka
1/2 vanilla bean

In small saucepan, heat fenugreek seeds until you begin to smell them. Remove from heat and crush or grind. They don't have to be dust, mostly just cracked so they have more surface area.

Place crushed seeds in jar. Heat vodka, but do not boil. Pour vodka over seeds.

Split vanilla bean and scrape out seeds. Add seeds and pod to vodka mixture.

Cover and set aside in a cool, dark place for 6 weeks. Strain well.

Makes 1/2 cup.

[Granny Smith]

You can also make this with 1/4 cup fenugreek seeds and 1/2 cup of vodka - just mix and allow to sit for 6 weeks, then strain. It's easier this way, but it isn't as rich or complex as the above recipe.

[nicolette]

I just did this last night, and I only had 3 Tbsp of the seeds, but when I wen't to give it a shake this morning I found that ALL the vodka has been absorbed by the ground seeds... is this supposed to happen?

[Granny Smith]

Welcome to the forum, Nicolette.

How much vodka did you add? The seeds do absorb some, but shouldn't absorb all of it. For 3 T of seeds (that's 3 T before they're ground), you could use nearly half a cup of vodka.

[rochrealtor]

Hi, I'm trying the maple extract recipe. What should the seeds smell like when they're toasted enough. Do they smell at all like maple?

[Granny Smith]

Oct 18, 2020 11:38:43 GMT -5 rochrealtor said:

Hi, I'm trying the maple extract recipe. What should the seeds smell like when they're toasted enough. Do they smell at all like maple?

Welcome to the forum!

The seeds won't smell like maple, you will be able to smell them over the pan. Heating just releases the oils. You don't need to brown them, just heat them up.