True connoisseurs have been making Castilian soap for more than one hundred years. This recipe came to us from the coast of Spain, where all this time it practically did not change. Castilian soap is based on only three ingredients: water, alkali and natural olive oil. All sorts of additives can be added to this classic base, focusing on your own taste and skin characteristics.
Main ingredient
Olive oil is believed to be a unique product. No wonder it has been widely used in cosmetology for millennia. Residents of the Mediterranean coast have been caring for skin and hair with olive oil for centuries.
Thanks to this component, Castilian soap can be used even when bathing babies. In addition, olive oil in itself is a natural preservative, so the soap prepared on it is well stored and does not spoil for a very long time. The classic Castilian soap is solid, cut into bars (or frozen in the molds of the right size). But you can cook and liquid.
The taste and color ...
Those who have already tried out this soap often disagree. To some, its foam seems creamy, tender, affectionate, while someone speaks of a mucus-like unpleasant substance. It only says that everything needs to be tried personally, without focusing on the opinions of others. Make a Castilian soap with your own hands and try it for yourself - what if it becomes your favorite?
If you look at the matter objectively, it is worth noting that such a homemade soap is really prone to soaking and ductility. To solve the problem is simple - store it in an open soap box, which will allow the bar to be ventilated. And if you give the soap enough to mature, the mucus will not form at all. The period of complete ripening is 6-8 months. But first things first.
As for liquid Castilian soap, this effect is not so noticeable. Its structure is creamy, very delicate, pleasant to the touch. Of course, if you follow all the rules, recipes and subtleties of the process when cooking.
Required Inventory
The method of preparing classic Castilian soap at home involves the use of some equipment. We will need accurate kitchen scales, a small mixer, a sieve, measuring utensils, gloves and a respirator. If possible, protect your eyes with glasses to avoid injuries. Alkali is a rather aggressive thing, and using this substance can easily damage the skin and mucous membranes.
However, the use of such an unfriendly component will not adversely affect the final result. During cooking, it is completely neutralized.
In addition, a wooden spatula and a pair of water bath containers are useful. We will take care in advance of the necessary workspace so that nothing interferes with the work process.
Naturally, among other things, you will need a gas burner or a conventional burner.
Essential Ingredients
It is important to follow a strict dosage. Especially if this is your first time making Castilian soap. The recipe consists of this set of ingredients:
- olive oil - 200 g;
- melted ice crumb (water with ice) - 95.2 g;
- NaOH (alkali) - 23.7 g.
Those who have already mastered the technology often add palm and coconut oil (23.6 g each) to the recipe. This gives the finished product a flavor, speeds up the aging process, makes the soap more dense.
The process of making solid Castilian soap
To cook Castilian soap at home from scratch in a hot way, we strictly measure the necessary amount of ingredients on the scales.
We prepare an alkaline solution: carefully enter the alkali into an ice container. Beginners should not be afraid of a violent reaction - it should be so. Leave the solution to cool slightly.
Pour olive oil into bulk dishes. When the alkaline solution cools down a little so that the temperature difference does not exceed 10 ° C, we introduce it into the oil through a sieve (not vice versa!), And then thoroughly knead the solution with a spoon. After that, we connect the mixer and begin to whisk. Soon, the mass will begin to reach for the mixer. This phenomenon is called a “steady footprint” and suggests that everything is going as it should.
Now we send the soap to the water bath, covering it with a lid. This is necessary to accelerate the passage of the gel phase, which, in turn, will accelerate the aging process.
In the process, it is necessary to check whether all the alkali has come out. This can be done using a pH meter or strips of litmus paper. The pH should be approximately equal to 8.
We will be patient, because the bath will last several hours. When the mass goes into a gel state, remove it from the fire. Now it remains to pour liquid Castilian soap into the molds and carefully tap on all sides so that air bubbles come to the surface.
Leave the soap to solidify. It will take from several hours to one day. The dried soap can easily be removed from the molds, and if necessary, it is well cut into smaller bars.
Castilian liquid soap
The soap we have prepared can be used not only for its intended purpose, but also serve as the basis for other products. From it you can prepare a liquid soap, dishwashing liquid and even a detergent.
To make Castilian liquid soap, solid bars must first be melted. This process is quite simple. Three solid soap on a grater or thinly cut with a knife, put in a container and sent to a water bath. Every 10-15 minutes, stir with a mixer, allowing air bubbles to get out. When the soap becomes amber, add hot water at the rate of 1: 1. Knead thoroughly, cover with a lid and leave for a day so that both parts are fully connected. It is convenient to store such soap in bottles with a dosing pump.
Classic Recipe Additives
There are many active supplements that can diversify the classic recipe. The main thing is that their amount does not exceed 12% of the volume of olive oil.
You can add dried rosemary, goat milk, cream, ground coffee, salt, sugar, essential oils, chopped citrus zest, citric acid to the recipe.