The next morning the Aleppo soap was ready to unmold. Big difference. All that green sludge turned to a light tan. The fragrance was a bit milder also.
Aleppo soap is traditionally stamped with a big bold design but I only had some little soap stamps. I went with the peace dove.
Since my previous attempts at soap stamping have been dismal I did some homework. I tried using plastic wrap between the stamp and soap and it worked. Now I have an army of little Aleppo soaps tucked away for their long cure.
The next soap to be made was more Plain Ole Goat. I had just enough goat's milk powder left for one batch.
I've been using this soap for washing produce and other things that I don't want scented. I think it needs to go into permanent rotation.
Then........when I was organizing the curing racks I found this. This is bad. This is called Dreaded Orange Spot. It means your soap needs to be tossed. It won't hurt you but it's not very nice to see. I found it on one of the Castile soap batches that is curing for a year. I have no idea why this newly made soap did this. It's usually a question of the shelf life of your oils. To get a naturally white soap I used a very light, expensive food grade olive oil for this batch. I am not happy. Since I am going through hand soap like crazy I've been dipping into my ancient soap bins-some of the bars are at least 4 years old and no spots on any of them so this is heartbreaking.
I went ahead and tested those white Castile bars and found them not as nice as the first batch I made where I used my regular olive oil. I love that soap. I wondered why people described this type of soap as slimy. Now I see why. I couldn't get it to lather much at all. It made a very creamy lather that might be nice for your face but terrible in the tub.
Oh well, I guess you can't win 'em all.
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Your soap posts fascinate me. It all sounds so technical. Mix this with that, but never with this. I would fail so fantastically. I know I would.
ReplyDeleteI really like your new Allepo soap with the dove on it. Beautiful!
Blessings,
Betsy
I love the soap that you have stamped. It just makes it even more special. I had never heard of the dreaded orange spot. How disappointing and frustrating especially since you don't know the cause. I bet you figure out the problem though.
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful stamping on the soap! I would use the soap-spots and all! DH is going to the store an goat's milk is on the list!
ReplyDeleteI just ordered some more myself. My latest loaf didn't turn out and I am determined to get it right. Story to come.
DeleteI had no idea that you could stamp soap! You are so talented.
ReplyDeleteI can see you are having soap fun! :)
ReplyDeleteYou amaze me with your soap making skills even if one small batch did not do well you are incredible!
ReplyDeleteI think it would break my heart to toss out all that soap.
ReplyDelete