My understanding is there was a cyclone in Madagascar last March which destroyed much of the vanilla crop, as well as thousands of homes and businesses. The island was devastated. Since Madagascar produces most of the world’s vanilla, prices went crazy.
"Absolutely. I am eating every vanilla-containing dessert in sight in anticipation of belt-tightening times. "
Your belt won’t be the only thing getting tighter. 
I hate to think how changing weather patterns will affect growing zones for a lot of products in the future. 
I have the remains of 32 oz bottles of Nielsen-Massey Vanilla extract and Vanilla Bean Paste. I have about 2 Tbs of extract, and a third of the bottle of paste. Both Madagascar. I’ve never sprung for Tahitian, which was always incredibly expensive.
It’s one of those things where you have a huge jar and it seems as if it will last for ever…until suddenly it doesn’t. This is not a good time to run out.
Last summer I dug all of the dried vanilla bean pieces out of my sugar jar, and used them to make a peach and cognac preserve which certain parties, notably my S’s GF and my youngest niece, are crazy about as a dessert sauce. I doubt it will be happening this year!
My friend’s neighbor, whom I’ve met a few times at parties, works for McCormick. A couple of years ago, my friend gave me a 32oz bottle of pure vanilla extract that her neighbor gave her b/c she already had plenty and wouldn’t use it all. After seeing this thread, i looked and noticed there’s only a few ounces left so yesterday bought an 8oz bottle (not Mccormick’s brand) at Sams Club for $16. Unfortunately, my friend’s neighbor is now retired, but wow, to think what that 32oz bottle would cost today. In fact, I just looked and an 8oz bottle of McCormicks is $20 at Sams Club so that 32oz bottle would cost me $80 if I were paying for it.
Hopefully between what I have left in that big bottle and the 8oz I bought yesterday, I can hold steady until prices come back down.
I just checked Penzey’s website. Their 16 oz. bottle of single strength vanilla went from $68.95 to $89.98. That is about a 33% price increase!!
The laws of supply and demand at work…
I would also always buy the 16 oz bottle at Costco for around 7.99. Since it was always around that price, I never thought about buying before I was almost out. When I was, I saw it was 16.99 and thought I should wait until it came down. Little did I realize that was a bargain! I happened to have some vanilla beans, so I went home and used them with vodka to make a bottle of my own, which I’m still using. I’m trying to bide my time and hope that eventually it comes back down.
I made a fifth last December- it should be about ready which means that I’ll have it to use for a view years. I generally give it away to family members but they will be out of luck next Christmas. :))
11 ounces for $10.76?
I was at Home Goods yesterday. My mom and I bought all the bottles of pure Madagascar vanilla extract they had for less than $2/oz. Looks like that Watkins link says “with Pure Vanilla Extract” for the $10.76 bottle. Their Madagascar Pure Vanilla Extract is $37.88 for 11 oz., but still a deal.
I avoid imitation vanilla. I have always thought that the real stuff tastes better, but my dislike for the fake stuff grew when I learned that it contains castoreum. Look it up … yuck!!
@kelsmom, the recipes I’ve seen all say that vanilla extract it 35% alcohol of your choice (vodka recommended) plus vanilla beans. Let it sit in a cool dark place for a few months and voila, vanilla extract. That ingredient you referenced in post 50 is NOT an ingredient, but sounds icky, for sure.
Because of this thread, I searched my cupboard and have found 4 Madagascar vanilla beans. I may try making my own vanilla extract!
Ok, just opened a bottle of 90 proof Vodka, put 4 ounces of it and the 4 beans cut into 1/3s into the glass jar and will see how this vanilla extract goes. I figure it’s much easier to dilute the overly strong extract than try to strengthen something that doesn’t start with enough beans.
I believe my friend who loves baking gifted us with these beans awhile back. I’m hoping this turns out as amazing as folks have said.
Well, less than 24 hours and the vodka with the pieces of vanilla bean is turning brown, which is a good sign.
Check your local Marshalls or HomeGoods. I was in Homegoods yesterday and a 4 oz bottle of Madagasgar Vanilla was still 9.99. The paste was the same price I believe.
At Costco, vanilla was a about $30 for 16 ounces. It didn’t say what type of beans were used and it was a plastic bottle. I think glass bottles are preferred.
They didn’t have vanilla beans in stock, at our Costco but I do recall they have had the beans at various times.
Darn it! I drove by a Home Goods today, not usually in that part of town, and I could not recall what it was that I wanted to look for there.
I was getting low on vanilla and you all had me worried. I paid $35 for 16oa at Costco earlier this week. Today I found 8oz at Home Goods for $12.99 so I bought that too.
My D away at college bought vanilla for baking cookies a while back. She accidentally bought artificial and was very disappointed with the flavor! She’s since replaced it with a small bottle of real vanilla.
I’ve made homemade vanilla from vanilla beans and vodka several times. My girls used to think it was so funny to make cookies with their friends and pour vanilla from a vodka bottle. I also have a reputation for mixing up salad dressing in a mayonnaise jar and storing it there, which also was apparently entertaining when they had friends over. Vanilla from the vodka bottle, salad dressing from the mayo jar. Never know what you’re getting at our house!
Well, the vanilla extract I’m making is in a small glass jar that used to hold mango chutney. It is now a very dark brown (much darker than tea). I’m very pleased at how nicely it seems to be progressing.
Sigh. I love the parent cafe. Thanks all…am off to the ABC store tomorrow to get vodka & make vanilla extract 
Keep up the updates, please, @HImom!