Popcorn extract log #1

6 May 2014 @ 2:09 pm – Popped popcorn using Jolly Time corn and Crisco vegetable oil.  Filled glass wide-mouth pint-size mason jar to top.  Poured Seagram's Extra Smooth Vodka in jar until popcorn was covered.  Shook.  Vacuum sealed.  Stored in kitchen cupboard.

7 May 2014 @ 3:21 pm – Tasted extract.  Happy but want more flavor.  Put in freezer for a few minutes to freeze oil before straining.  In the meantime, popped another batch of popcorn.  Filled a clean glass wide-mouth pint-size mason jar to the top with freshly popped corn, and strained the extract on top of the popcorn.  There wasn't enough to cover the popcorn, so I added a little more fresh vodka.  Shook.  Vacuum sealed.  Stored in kitchen cupboard.

8 May 2014 @ 2:37 am – Shook jar.

8 May 2014 @ 3:19 pm – Placed jar in freezer in hopes oil would solidify before straining.

8 May 2014 @ 3:40 pm – Maybe it is just butter that freezes and not oil in general.  After 20 minutes, there is still no clumping of the oils.

8 May 2014 @ 4:21 pm – The oil still hadn't hardened, so I decided to proceed.  I tasted the infusion, and it was coming along fine, but I perceived that it was not strong enough.  Strained into a clean wide-mouth pint-size mason jar.  Made fresh popcorn.  Forgot I had to put the popcorn in first.  Used a new jar.  Filled to the top with popcorn.  Poured the vodka.  Shook.  Popcorn was not submerged.  Add more vodka to submerge popcorn.  Vacuum sealed.  Shook.  Placed in kitchen cupboard.

9 May 2014 @ 3:38 pm – Tasted extract.  It had picked up a bit of a burned taste.  Also, the oil accumulating on the top is getting to be a bit too much.  Need to figure out how to eliminate that {change oil? air pop the popcorn? use a gravy strainer?)  Scrapped the batch.  Will start new after pondering the problem.

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Sweet corn extract log #1

6 May 2014 @ 1:18 pm – Cut corn from one cob of corn.  Corn weighed ≈160 grams.  Put in glass wide-mouth pint-size mason jar.  Poured in Seagram's Extra Smooth Vodka to cover.  Shook.  Vacuum sealed.  Stored in kitchen cupboard.

7 May 2014 @ 3:04 pm – Tasted extract.  Not strong enough.  Strained vodka from corn into new jar.  Cut corn from one cob of corn and put in jar with vodka.  Shook.  Vacuum sealed.  Stored in kitchen cupboard.

8 May 2014 @ 2:37 am – Shook jar.

8 May 2014 @ 3:08 pm – Tasted extract.  Corn taste is coming along nicely.  However, loss of butter flavor in the gin extract makes me want to go overboard.  Strained extract into a clean jar.  Cut corn from another cob and added it to jar.  Shook jar to make sure all the corn was covered.  Cleaned inside of lid to get a good seal.  Vacuum sealed.  Stored in kitchen cupboard.

9 May 2014 @ 3:17 pm – The cover peeled off without a vacuum seal.  Tasted extract.  Very corny without a hint of alcohol.  Did the alcohol evaporate off?  Strained into clean jar.  Seems to be a lot less fluid than before.  Poured some into a shot glass and tried to light on fire.  Nothing.  Poured some vodka into a shot glass and tried to light on fire.  Burned less than a second.  Decided to be better safe than sorry and tossed the entire batch.  Will start a fresh batch tomorrow.

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Blue corn meal extract log

Blue Corn Extract Log:

6 May 2014 @ 1:35 pm – Placed 60 grams of blue corn meal in a cleang lass wide-mouth pint-size mason jar to top.  Poured Seagram's Extra Smooth Vodka in jar until meal was covered.  Shook.  Meal turned to paste.  Poured in more vodka to cover paste.  Shook.  Vacuum sealed.  Stored in kitchen cupboard.

7 May 2014 @ 3:41 pm – On opening jar, vacuum seal had released prematurely.  Tasted extract.  Interesting flavor.  Don't know if anybody would identify it as blue corn.  Tried to strain through a coffee filter, but it would not budge.  Started squeezing mash against filter, hoping to not break it.  When mash felt dry, poured strained liquid into a clean glass wide-mouth pint-size mason jar.  Alternately added blue corn meal and shook jar until satisfied.  Cleaned rim of jar to insure a seal.  Vacuum sealed.  Shook.  Stored in kitchen cupboard.  Put on schedule to order washable muslin tea bags to use in the future.

8 May 2014 @ 2:37 am – Shook jar.

8 May 2014 @ 3:18 pm – Poured jar into metal coffee filter.  Allowed to sit to naturally drain as much as possible.  This one is losing more and more vodka every day.  I will probably have to add vodka, as well as meal, today.

8 May 2014 @ 4:28 pm – Used squeeze technique to get as much liquid out of corn meal as possible.  This left such a small amount of vodka left that it wasn't really worth proceeding.  I am going to have to order the muslin bags if I am going to keep attempting to infuse blue corn meal.  That may happen on Saturday, when I go to Natural Grocers to get some hulled barley for the barley candy redaction.

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Popcorn extract, take 2

If this post seems a little like déjà vu, it is.  Earlier this week, I posted that I had started a homemade extract made from popcorn.  I have subsequently undergone a vodka taste test and discovered the Smirnoff I had been using is below my standards.  Therefore, I am ditching my previous shot and doing another take.

So, I made some fresh popcorn using Jolly Time and Crisco vegetable oil.  Because I knew I had more popcorn than I needed, I just filled a clean, wide-mouth, pint-size mason jar to the tp.  Seagram's Extra Smooth Vodka was poured over the popcorn until it was completely submerged.

I still can't get over how it shrinks!

The jar was then placed in my vacuum sealer and sealed air-tight.  I shook the jar and placed it in a kitchen cabinet, where it will sit for 24 hours before being strained and infused with another ear of corn.  I will continue doing this until the corn flavor is as strong as I want it, and I will post a log of when I shake or refresh the jar.

The pictures on the page appear smaller than they are.  To see them larger, simply double click on the picture.  Also, I always welcome your constructive criticism.  Click on the Comment link below next to the icon of a pencil; it may say "No" or have a number in front of it.

Blue corn extract

Boy, it was hard to find anything blue corn that wasn't chips.  Even the Mexican store near-by didn't have anything blue corn.

I finally discovered this blue corn meal at Natural Grocers.  I tasted it (Have you ever tried to taste flour before?), and it was not even remotely what I remember.  I may have to keep looking for some whole or cracked blue corn.

Anywho, I put 60 grams of corn meal into a clean, wide-mouth, pint-size mason jar.  Seagram's Extra Smooth Vodka was poured over the meal until it was completely submerged.

The jar was then placed in my vacuum sealer and sealed air-tight.  I shook the jar and found it would not shake.  Seems mixing the vodka with the corn meal made a paste rather than a liquid.  I opened the jar, poured in more vodka to cover the paste, and re-sealed the jar. : I shook this vigorously to make sure it was a liquid and placed it in a kitchen cabinet, where it will sit for 24 hours before being strained and infused with more corn flour.  (Straining flour mash is going to be another learning experience.)  I will continue doing this until the corn flavor is as strong as I want it, and I will post a time log of every time it is shaken or refreshed.

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Corn extract, take 2

If this post seems a little like déjà vu, it is.  Earlier this week, I posted that I had started a homemade extract made from sweet corn.  I have subsequently undergone a vodka taste test and discovered the Smirnoff I had been using is below my standards.  Therefore, I am ditching my previous shot and doing another take.

So, I started with a fresh ear of corn.  The corn is still on sale (5/$1), so I can purchase more during my grocery run tomorrow.

Using the technique I watched Ma use hundreds of times when I was a kid, I cut the corn off the ear using a paring knife.  Why buy a corn remover tool when a sharp knife does the same thing?

The corn, weighing ≈160 grams, was placed into a clean, wide-mouth, pint-size mason jar.  Seagram's Extra Smooth Vodka was poured over the corn until it was completely submerged.

The jar was then placed in my vacuum sealer and sealed air-tight.  I shook the jar and placed it in a kitchen cabinet, where it will sit for 24 hours before being strained and infused with another ear of corn.  I will continue doing this until the corn flavor is as strong as I want it.  I will post a log of every time I shake it and refresh it.

The pictures on the page appear smaller than they are.  To see them larger, simply double click on the picture.  Also, I always welcome your constructive criticism.  Click on the Comment link below next to the icon of a pencil; it may say "No" or have a number in front of it.

A taste test of some vodkas . . .

Smirnoff No. 21 Triple Distilled – My first objection to this vodka is it comes in a plastic bottle.  Vodka is a solvent, so putting it in plastic means some of the plastic is dissolving into the vodka.  Granted, it probably isn't a large amount, but it is still happening.  Unlike the other 3 vodkas on this page, this bottle has been open and used for several weeks now.  This is the bottom of the handle (a handle is a 1.75 liter bottle with a handle built in for easy pouring).  The smell is like a bottle of rubbing alcohol.  There is a bit of sour taste on my tongue as the alcohol burns its way down my throat.  This is not a smooth drink at all, making me shudder.  The aftertaste resembles grains and dirt.

Seagram's Extra Smooth Vodka – This comes in a glass handle and is about 80% the price of the Smirnoff.  Had I seen this in the store the first trip, I would have bought it instead of the Smirnoff.  The top actually hissed when I opened it, either meaning there was an excellent seal or the stuff was partially cooked.  It doesn't smell like rubbing alcohol; the bouquet is more fruity, reminding me of old peaches.  A fruity taste could interfere somewhat with infusions and extracts.  It is definitely a smoother drink than Smirnoff with little, if any, discernable taste.  The burn is much less than the Smirnoff, and the alcohol shows up prominently in the aftertaste.

Woody Creek 100% Potato Vodka – Colorado is pretty high on the list of locovore-conscious states, and this product demonstrates that.  It is made in Colorado from Colorado potatoes.  The smell is about half way between the other two vodkas, reminding me of mentholated rubbing alcohol.  This scent, however, disappears quickly, giving way to a fresh raspberry note.  Taste-wise, it is almost like drinking water filtered through earth.  The alcohol presents slowly as an increasing warmth in the throat with no aftertaste.

Svedka Imported Swedish Vodka – Another grain alcohol, and the only import of the lot, this is a sweet-smelling vodka.  If "bright" and "clean" were actually smells, this vodka would smell bright and clean.  The taste, however, is anything but.  Though probably the smoothest of these four products, drinking it makes me wince in disgust.  It has an unpleasant, long-lasting flavor I am finding hard to describe.  After taking a few more sips, it reminds me of mothballs.  Definitely not the profile I want in my extracts.

Until more vodkas present themselves, then, I am going to go with the Seagram's.  It is the least expensive of the lot, and with no taste of its own, it is the blankest canvas upon which to infuse my art.  For sipping, however, I might just pick up some Woody Creek and keep it chilled.

PS:  A special thanks to the folks at Andy's Liquor Mart.  Not the least expensive place in town, but their fantastic customer service and knowledge is worth the extra 2¢.

The pictures on the page appear smaller than they are.  To see them larger, simply double click on the picture.  Also, I always welcome your constructive criticism.  Click on the Comment link below next to the icon of a pencil; it may say "No" or have a number in front of it.

Popcorn extract

A couple of days ago, I put up some popcorn extract.  That's right:  popcorn extract.  "Why would anyone want that?" you may saltily ask.  The why is going to have to wait until I get around to making it.  Until then, I have to see if making a popcorn extract will actually work.  By gum, it does!  I really think the vacuum sealer is speeding up my infusions.

The first taste after 48 hours is amazing.  It's like popcorn.  There is even a layer of oil floating on the top of the jar.  I didn't think this one would actually work, but the vodka infusion tastes like fresh popped popcorn.  However, is it enough to use it for flavoring.  I've decided it is not . . . yet.  Tomorrow I plan on popping another batch of corn and restocking the infusion.  It is amazing watching hot popcorn shrink under the onslaught of vodka!

The pictures on the page appear smaller than they are.  To see them larger, simply double click on the picture. Also, I always welcome your constructive criticism.  Click on the Comment link below next to the icon of a pencil; it may say "No" or have a number in front of it.

Sweet Corn extract

A couple of days ago, I put up some corn extract.  That's right:  corn extract.  "Why would anyone want that?" you may saltily ask.  The why is going to have to wait until I get around to making it.  Until then, I have to see if making a sweet corn extract will actually work.  By gum, it does!  I really think the vacuum sealer is speeding up my infusions.

The first taste after 48 hours is amazing.  It's like liquid corn.  However, is it enough to use it for flavoring.  I've decided it is not . . . yet.  Since the local Sprouts is having a 5 for $1 corn sail, I bought more ears.  Tomorrow, I plan on straining this extract and adding another ear of corn.

The pictures on the page appear smaller than they are.  To see them larger, simply double click on the picture. Also, I always welcome your constructive criticism.  Click on the Comment link below next to the icon of a pencil; it may say "No" or have a number in front of it.

Homemade extracts

While looking around for instructions on making vodka infusions, I came across a website that talked about homemade extracts.  You know, like vanilla extract and lemon extract you buy at the grocery store.  The major differences seem to be how much flavoring ingredient is used (higher ratio of flavoring to vodka) and the amount of time the infusion rests (weeks instead of days).

This site talked about how buying vodka and vanilla beans would be less expensive than buying bottles of extract.  It also mentioned how much cleaner (less chemicals and processing) the end result is.  I have to agree on that point.  I bought some butter extract only to discover it is made with propylene glycol, a solvent also used in anti-freeze.  Why would I want an anti-freeze ingredient in my candies?  Therefore, I have extended my vodka infusion making into homemade extract making, and flavors I do specifically for extracts will come under that label instead.

The pictures on the page appear smaller than they are.  To see them larger, simply double click on the picture. Also, I always welcome your constructive criticism.  Click on the Comment link below next to the icon of a pencil; it may say "No" or have a number in front of it.