Came across an article discussing how expensive vanilla extract has become and it suggested buying vanilla bean pods and soaking them in vodka. Sounds good to me!"
Mexican vanilla has lots of non vanilla ingredients and the regulation of its production is iffy. Mexican cured beans (not necessarily from the country) are cured on a hot surface, as opposed to Bourbon cured beans, which are steam cured (nothing to do with the alcohol.)
Beans are crazy expensive, so it you want to get into making your own vanilla go to facebook (I know, I know... f book) and join the Vanilla bean co-op. They have fabulous beans at really reasonable prices and all the information you could need to get started. That said.... my new addiction means I have about 2 gallons of vanilla(various types of beans and booze) aging in my closet. Boy, is it good!
My husband used to buy all of our spices and herbs at the Bloomsburg Fair every year, from a company called ‘The Spice Man’. The big flood in 2011 seemed to disrupt things, and he didn’t see them there any more; but they are online.
Considering the cost of vanilla extract in the grocery store and what a small amount you get, $2.50 per bean doesn’t seem that high - and once you make it and seal and store properly, it’s going to last a very long time.
http://www.the-spice-man.com/shop/vanilla-bean?rq=vanilla%20bean
https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a99489/how-to-make-vanilla-extract/
Thanks for the tip on the vanilla bean group :-)