African black soap

[xyxoxy]

I agree Fair trade anything is a good idea...

But as I was reading the instructions I was thinking... "I could create almost the same thing or better without all the fuss."

Pretty much as rvan pointed out this is just a longer and less precise way to get a superfatted soap made from Palm, Coconut, and/or shea.
I see no problem with "faking it" as long as it is understood that it is a modern recipe "based on" an African Black Soap recipe. I think I would prefer a recipe where the lye was measured and wouldn't try to pretend I burned leaves to make it.

For perspective this would be no different than making lard soap in a more controlled process than the way my Dad used to make it on the farm... and probably a MUCH more controlled process than his grandmother used.

 

[goldfeever]

soap

after reading recipe im sure not all african soap is made that way im sure somebody has comercialised it

 

[carebear]

interesting thread. the agbanga karite site http://www.agbangakarite.com/article_ABS_uses.php disagrees over the ingredients, tho - they say palm KERNEL oil and shea butter "residue" whatever that is. but I suppose there will be many regional variations.

if anyone tries it all, I'd LOVE to read and hear about how it goes and what the result it.

I MYSELF don't see it being commercially viable, but heck - no reason not to try. could be interesting!

won't be "African" but then just don't call it that!
(I get mine from AK)

 

[Deb]

Because we're not all American.

Frankly, I think African black soap belongs from Africa... If you are interested in this soap from a cultural point of view why not make the original people who made this soap for centuries and who are often economically exploited benefit from what they have done best for ages?
We have fair trade coffee how about fair trade soap? As far as traditional methods are concerned and especially one as complicated and intricate and so very much cultural as this one, why not support the people who should know best how to make the original product?
If there is an interest in America or Europe or in any other continent and you own a shop import and sell the original product then... that way you offer a true product and support an ethnic traditional industry... especially as you said the interest is cultural.
My argument earlier was that we can make a soap similar or just as good or even better with modern methods. Where everything is precise and measured and we know exactly how we formulated the product. But that does not detract from the lure or value of the true traditional product. I appreciate that true African black soap is unique and special when made true. But if you are going to fake it why not just make it in a modern way and call it American black soap? I am from Africa. Just an idea...

 

[Guest]

not offended...

Sorry, I did come over strong! As I posted it I was worried I came over too strong... sorry even that was not my intention...

-If you want African black soap traditionally made order the real thing fair trade.
-While wonderful to support local people, my previous post tried to show that it is a soap like any other but simply made by traditional method.
- I don't believe that it is magically better than a well made superfatted handmade soap the way we make it. I f people are chasing the magic, they should try find it in the real thing.
- for all the others, don't feel our handmade soap is inferior to the traditional.
- As to what is in African black soap, although some of the oils included in this soap might be expensive to us and exotic these were the oils these folks had readily available to them. If they had a ready supply of Canola I am sure the traditional recipe might have been different. Well maybe not as it might have been too soft hehe! I think the oils they chose were simply because they were at hand and that they made a good bar of soap.

To me all soap is amazing! I know the science... but once you put that soap in the molds and cover it up... magic happens... you keep your fingers crossed and pray a little... and if you are animist you shake your bum bum... and with a bit of luck you have a wonderful soap. That soap is the same through the ages... Oil, water and lye in the right quantities to give us soap and natural glycerine mixed with our lovely left over oils and a dash of water for good measure. Who says grandma didn't superfat?

:wink:

 

[MagiaDellaLuna]

Re: not offended...

As to what is in African black soap, although some of the oils included in this soap might be expensive to us and exotic these were the oils these folks had readily available to them.

I once met up with a soaper from north Africa who came to South Africa for a conference. Naturally we had arranged to "trade" gifts.
I received about 2 kg of Shea Butter which was worth it's weight in gold (bit of an overstatement, but you get the picture). It has that smokey aroma and is absolutely beautiful in texture, much nicer than the very expensive Shea butter we can get here.

My fellow soaper told me that it was dirt cheap in her country and something that they use daily in their cooking, so no big deal. Pretty much the way Olive Oil must seem to Italians etc. so your point is valid.

 

[beautifulbay]

rvan, I agree with you, but at the same time, people all over the world learn from each other's crafts, creations, skills, and labors.

If someone wanted to try and create an african soap, I say let them...no, its not african anymore, so they shouldn't call it that...but maybe african inspired?

I see nothing wrong with seeking out unique soaps from anywhere in the world and trying your hand at them. If someone wanted to make a french soap, should they have second thoughts and only buy it from france? I see your point, but at the same time...it is sometimes just a soaper wanting to expand their skills or try something new. ...or play with new ingredients and see how it goes.

That is what it was for me, anyway. I can't speak for anyone else. BUT...I also see your point too. I have bought African black soap from a supplier and I loved it. I looked into how it was made to know what was in it, and my curiosity grew from there.

I intend no disrespect to to African Culture ... they are the true creators of this unique soap.