Today is soap making day. I thought I would share the experience. When we make soap, we usually make seven batches. Each batch is seven pounds. First, all of the ingredients must be assembled. We use several different oils,frozen cubes of goat’s milk, lye, scents and herbs or spices. The soap is processed in the kitchen. Once we have gathered all of the items needed to make the soap, we get all of the tools ready to begin the process. This consists of a large, heavy stainless steel pot, silicone spatulas, silicone mats, thermometers, a scale, gloves, measuring cups, an electric emulsion mixer, wooden molds, and a scale. One bat
ch is made at a time. The oils are measured out and placed in the pan, which is on low heat. While the oils are gently warming, the cubes of milk and the lye are carefully mixed. At this point you must get the oil and the milk mixture to the same temperature in order to blend them into your soap product. Once this is accomplished, you can add herbs, additives and scent. The next step is to emulsify this until it thickens to about the consistency of thick gravy. When this happens, the soap is poured into the molds. It will remain in the molds for several days. Once the soap has set a few days, it is removed from molds and cut into bars. From this point, it drys a couple of weeks, then it is trimmed and sets a bit more. In about another week the soap is tied and tagged and ready for market.