Vanilla & Extracts fold
Vanilla Extract Strength & Ratio Calculator
How strong is your homemade extract? Enter the beans and the spirit and see its fold strength against the US standard, beans per cup, whether the alcohol is high enough, and what to add for single or double-fold.
How to use it
- Enter your beans by count (with their weight) or by weight.
- Enter the spirit's volume and proof, and the bean grade.
- Compare the fold strength, and add beans if you want it stronger.
How it works
The US standard of identity defines single-fold vanilla extract as 13.35 oz of beans per gallon (100 g per liter) in at least 35% alcohol, with the beans counted at 25% moisture. Double-fold has twice the beans in the same liquid.
Grade A beans hold more water, so the calculator weighs them up to their dry equivalent (about 10% more) before comparing.
Assumptions and limits
- Bean moisture is typical for the grade; your beans may differ.
- Strength describes bean content; flavor also depends on aging time.
Tips
- Weigh beans for accuracy; counts vary a lot.
- Double-fold extract is great for gifting and goes twice as far.
- Top up a bottle with a fresh bean and spirit to keep it going.
Recipes to try it with
Questions
What is single-fold vanilla extract?
Extract with 13.35 oz of vanilla beans per gallon (100 g per liter) and at least 35% alcohol, the US standard.
What is double-fold vanilla?
Twice the beans in the same amount of liquid, so you use half as much in recipes.
Is 6 beans per cup enough?
With plump 4.5 g beans, 6 beans per cup is about single-fold.
What proof alcohol do I need?
At least 70 proof (35%) to meet the US standard; 80 proof is the usual choice.