Who has the best...

[BobbiOh]

Forgive the question and thank you in advance. I typically make essential oil soaps, so I don't know where to get the best smelling FOs.

I've been invited to have a soap class at a coffee house/bakery/cafe and tie it in to their products. (They have the best biscuits and gravy, ever!)

So, I'm looking for the best coffee FO. I'm going to offer four scents - coffee, tea, a bakery scent, and something vanilla(?). It's kind of overwhelming looking at all the versions, I don't know how all you choose.

 

[MrsZ]

I haven't used any coffee fragrances yet, so I don't have any input on that. But have you already found a tea fragrance you like? I really like Afternoon Tea from Nurture Handmade. It's almost like a creamy Early Grey.

 

[BobbiOh]

Thank you!

 

[akseattle]

@BobbiOh ,
Earlier this year, @KimLynn asked about coffee fragrance oils. She got a good amount of input. The link for that thread is here:
https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/coffee-fragrance-oil.93458/#post-1012260

I have 4 different FO's by Crafter's Choice, Rustic Escentuals, MYOB, and Eeque. I'm more of a tea drinker but when I drink coffee, I like it with a little hint of hazelnut, mocha, or chocolate, cinnamon , nutmeg, etc. But, I found that for me, the FO's I got with those notes like the coffee I like to drink -- were way to sweet smelling for soap! What got multiple votes on that thread as a straight up like your fresh brewed morning coffee was Brambleberry's Espresso.

So, you might want to check out that thread. Also, you might want to decide if you want a sweet smelling FO like a dessert, or more like just a good strong cup of java. Let us know what you settle on! and good luck with your class, should be fun!

 

[BobbiOh]

I bought samples from Brambleberry and one is Espresso. I like it!

 

[akseattle]

Which other FO's did you try from them? I probably need to get BB's Espresso. My only issue with them is that I really dislike paying shipping fees

 

[Marie_with_an_e]

I typically use EOs as well, but my granddaughter wanted a coffee soap. I mixed BB’s Espresso and Coffee Shop FOs at 50/50 and it smells DIVINE! Note: it discolors to dark brown so I swirled with unscented soap batter to lighten up the overall look and call it Coffee+Cream.

 

[BobbiOh]

I bought the 10 pack to try lots of things that sounded good:

Espresso
Warm Vanilla Sugar
Kentucky Bourbon
Olive Wood & Cypress
Greenhouse
Pear Prosecco
White Tea & Ginger
Green Tea & Cucumber
Pure Honey
Hickory & Suede

 

[lsg]

I like Wholesale Supplies Plus and Nature's Garden.

 

[BobbiOh]

The Espresso is in the mold and it smells divine!

 

[BobbiOh]

I unmolded today and cut it. It was a fail, but I feel good about the next batch.

I soaped way too cold. When I was making soap before (along time ago), I would just make my lye water and wait until it got 100 degrees or so, and go from there. But, this time around I'm using ice water to make the solution. I'm planning on using a 50/50 lye solution for this class and decided to hybrid the two and add coffee to the oils for the extra water. It didn't work well. Next time I'll use 50/50 and coffee and better manage my temps.

The colors came out great. I used a teaspoon of TD in the top layer. I used a combination of 1 teaspoon of Brown Oxide from Brambleberry and .5 teaspoon of Steel Works from Mad Micas in the bottom layer. 2 teaspoons of finely ground coffee in the bottom layer only.

I used 2 teaspoons of salt to get a harder soap and help it set up quicker. Students have to take raw soap home with them and I want to make it less likely to spill. It succeeded. It was a quick batch, like brownie batter in about a minute. I unmolded it 24 hours later and it was hard for my cutter to make the cut!

Lastly, the scent is fantastic. It still has that "new soap" smell and smells good anyway.

I see if time improves the look.

 

[AliOop]

I unmolded today and cut it. It was a fail, but I feel good about the next batch.

I soaped way too cold. When I was making soap before (along time ago), I would just make my lye water and wait until it got 100 degrees or so, and go from there. But, this time around I'm using ice water to make the solution. I'm planning on using a 50/50 lye solution for this class and decided to hybrid the two and coffee for extra water. It didn't work well. Next time I'll use 50/50 and coffee and better mange my temps.

The colors came out great. I used a teaspoon of TD in the top layer. I used a combination of 1 teaspoon of Brown Oxide from Brambleberry and .5 teaspoon of Steel Works from Mad Micas in the bottom layer. 2 teaspoons of finely ground coffee in the bottom layer only.

I used 2 teaspoons of salt to get a harder soap and help it set up quicker. Students have to take raw soap home with them and I want to make it less likely to spill. It succeeded. It was a quick batch, like brownie batter in about a minute. I unmolded it 24 hours later and it was hard for my cutter to make the cut!

Lastly, the scent is fantastic. It still has that "new soap" smell and smells good anyway.

I see if time improves the look.

View attachment 80163

Wow, I don't consider that a fail at ALL - I love it!

 

[MelissaG]

I'm with Ali, I think that looks cool.

 

[Zing]

I unmolded today and cut it. It was a fail, but I feel good about the next batch.

I soaped way too cold. When I was making soap before (along time ago), I would just make my lye water and wait until it got 100 degrees or so, and go from there. But, this time around I'm using ice water to make the solution. I'm planning on using a 50/50 lye solution for this class and decided to hybrid the two and add coffee to the oils for the extra water. It didn't work well. Next time I'll use 50/50 and coffee and better manage my temps.

The colors came out great. I used a teaspoon of TD in the top layer. I used a combination of 1 teaspoon of Brown Oxide from Brambleberry and .5 teaspoon of Steel Works from Mad Micas in the bottom layer. 2 teaspoons of finely ground coffee in the bottom layer only.

I used 2 teaspoons of salt to get a harder soap and help it set up quicker. Students have to take raw soap home with them and I want to make it less likely to spill. It succeeded. It was a quick batch, like brownie batter in about a minute. I unmolded it 24 hours later and it was hard for my cutter to make the cut!

Lastly, the scent is fantastic. It still has that "new soap" smell and smells good anyway.

I see if time improves the look.

View attachment 80163

Uh, I think you posted the wrong photo. I'm lookin' for the 'fail.' I want to eat that!

 

[dibbles]

I think they look great! I love that FO!

 

[akseattle]

@BobbiOh
I like your soap and it really does look like brownies with frosting on top!!

Will this be a demonstration where you make one big batter and pour the batter and color the batter for all attendees, and they just take home the sample loaf/ mold or will they be involved in the making at some stage?

I think your students will really appreciate the time you've taken to come up with a recipe that will set fast enough to carry home but does not actually seize on them! Good job!! You'll have to tell us how your class goes.

What a great opportunity!

 

[BobbiOh]

@BobbiOh

I like your soap and it really does look like brownies with frosting on top!!

Will this be a demonstration where you make one big batter and pour the batter and color the batter for all attendees, and they just take home the sample loaf/ mold or will they be involved in the making at some stage?

I think your students will really appreciate the time you've taken to come up with a recipe that will set fast enough to carry home but does not actually seize on them! Good job!! You'll have to tell us how your class goes.

What a great opportunity!

I'm going to make a batch and then have them make a batch to take home. That way they can see the safety and the process before they attempt. I can talk about history of soap while I'm soaping and I don't have to concentrate on taking care of them and they won't be distracted by my talking.

The owners of the coffee house talked about this (small town) and now the local brewery tasting room wants to do one too!

 

[akseattle]

@BobbiOh, How exciting!! You can make a beer soap!

 

[BobbiOh]

@BobbiOh, How exciting!! You can make a beer soap!

I'm going to do a Grapefruit with their IPA and may something with their Porter - I'm going to try Brambleberry's Hickory and Suede. That's next on the list. It smells good in the bottle.