Yes, I have good luck with those things to color hot processed soap. I use 5 or 6 tea bags of matcha green tea in 21 oz of water. I let it sit for at least an hour until the water is very green. I use that to dissolve the lye and make 5 pounds of soap. Regular green tea does not have much color. This colors the soap a light green. Occasionally I add the actual tea leaves as an exfolliant. You can use more if you want more color. I have used chlorella to get a darker shade but it is too expensive. Chlorophyll makes a deep green. If you use more than a small amount, the soap stains whatever it sits on, not to mention the green lather. I found this out when making my Christmas tree soaps. Next time I will swirl a teaspoon or so.
I mix the clove in with the oils in varying amounts to get anywhere from a tan to a brown soap. So if I am dying the soap, I mix the coloring in with the oils so it dissolves.
If I want brown specks like with an oatmeal soap, I add a tiny bit right before pouring. If I want a marbled effect, I stir the soap after it is finished cooking and make a giant swirl using my spoon. Then I use the clove, cocoa, or tumeric along the pattern. I stir in a circular pattern briefly, pour and stir again in the mold. Then I pat down as usual. This makes a neat marbled look.
