Need a little help here...

Brewing processes and methods. How to brew using extract, partial or all-grain. Tips and tricks.

Moderator: slothrob

Post Reply
Monkey Man
Light Lager
Light Lager
Posts: 46
Joined: Sat Mar 17, 2001 1:46 pm
Location: Lincoln, NE, US

Need a little help here...

Post by Monkey Man »

I am making a vanilla porter. I am planning on adding vanilla beans in the secondary. What is the best method? I have been told to either break the beans into pieces and add them. I have also been told to remove the beans from the "shell" and add the shell. I have two vanilla bean stalk type looking things. I'm not even sure if these stalk like things are the beans, or if the beans are in the stalk like things, or if the stalk like things are the beans. Help!?#@???
Team Beer
Light Lager
Light Lager
Posts: 38
Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2001 6:20 pm

Vanilla Beans partial answer

Post by Team Beer »

The beans are inside the husk of pod. I know in ice cream making they crush the beans, and scrape out the husk ( discarding the pod after processing ) to extract as much flavor as possible. As for adding it to beer I am not going to be much help.
andytv
Double IPA
Double IPA
Posts: 206
Joined: Tue Jan 30, 2001 8:55 pm

Vanilla Beans

Post by andytv »

I think that you just "crumble" the entire pod, exposing the beans and breaking up the husk so their oils are more likely to be dissolved by the alcohol in your fermented batch in the short period of time they are in the batch. I always just used pure vanilla extract, which saves a little work and adds alot of consistency. Homemade extract can be made from your beans by soaking them in vodka, rum , etc. Check out some dessert recipe sites for details.
Monkey Man
Light Lager
Light Lager
Posts: 46
Joined: Sat Mar 17, 2001 1:46 pm
Location: Lincoln, NE, US

Well...

Post by Monkey Man »

I crumpled the pods. I seemed like the thing to do. I'll post the results of my Vanilla Porter when I have them.
beef
Light Lager
Light Lager
Posts: 11
Joined: Wed Mar 06, 2002 10:35 am

vanilla bean

Post by beef »

I would open up the bean and remove the inside contents from the "shell" The stalk thing you are asking about is the bean itself.
Post Reply