Here is my latest handmade soap: Peppermint Poppy. Because I wanted to use it within a couple of days, I went with hot process soap making. With traditional cold process, the cure time would have been at least three weeks or longer.
When I was pouring hemp milk into my cereal, I immediately thought about making hemp milk soap. Hemp oil seem to be more common for soap making then with hemp milk. To make sure I didn’t mess up, I also added equal amounts of goat milk.
The hemp milk I got was from a natural health food store. Hemp milk taste a little like soy milk, but creamier and nuttier. It is naturally rich in omega 3, 6 and 9. It also contains minerals, vitamins and antioxidants, high in vitamins A and E.
Besides the hemp milk, I also added other stuff to this batch. There is fine Brazilian sea salt, peppermint essential oil, and poppy seeds. It’s going to be one difficult to name soap. So I just decided on “Peppermint Poppy Soap”.
I really wanted to make peppermint soap before the summer to come to an end. Plus the cooling peppermint essential oil also feels uplifting and helps clears the mind.
After using it in the shower a few times, I think the poppy seeds are almost too rough for me. Either way could still make a great body soap if you like the extra exfoliation.
I’ve noticed the sea salt dries up your skin a bit. But I’m sure the extra goat milk, hemp milk, and naturally occurring glycerine helps too.
I also found that it makes perfect hand soap for gardener’s or mechanics. Or at least someone with hands that need a good scrubbing.
Note: In hot process soap making you have to work quick. The stuff starting to harden up as soon as I mixed in the salt and essential oils.
I used the old goat milk container as mold. I got about 7 bars with this batch. Some soaps came out better looking than others. And the nice looking one will become gifts. While M and I get stuck with these ones. But it’s all really good soap!
Photo of hemp milk carton from Manitoba Harvest.
Update: I had to put up a new photo here. The lighting was off on that day, so the color was not too accurate.
10:30 pm on August 12th, 2010
Cambree, the ingredients sound really nice, especially the peppermint for the summer. The tan color must have come from the hemp milk. I think the name Peppermint Poppy Soap is very catchy.
12:24 am on August 14th, 2010
Hi Nye,
I think you’ll enjoy using this soap after gardening.
I didn’t realize how off the color from the photo was until you mentioned it. I took a new photo now, more accurate and less tan.
When I get the chance, I will set up my photo box for future soap photos.
10:01 pm on August 15th, 2010
Cambree, it’s sometimes difficult to take picture when the lighting is bad, I have a hard time taking food photo at night. The photo box is a great idea, and that way you don’t have to wait for the natural light.
10:59 pm on August 17th, 2010
Plus the photo was taken with a regular Fuji Film digital camera.
My brother lent me his cool camera and I want to try capturing some better soap photos with it soon. And probably in a photo box.