I was helping a customer today and I was asked what the Mokalata looked like used in a cold process soap. I was baffled how to describe what it looked like on the outside and inside. Then I realized that photos give the description I never could.
Before cutting.
After cutting.
This type of coloration is typical for fragrances with a high vanillin content. If you object to the dark color, then use the scents which won’t discolor. We think this dark color is wonderful for this scent. It would have been a shock to color the soap green and THEN get this dark brown color! WOW!
Mokalata Pictures,
I am looking forward to the Cold Press soap week coming up. I couldn’t wait to start and had everything to make the Coffee Soap listed in your recipe area. I may be jumping ahead too quickly, but it doesn’t seem to be setting up. it has been 12 hours since I pour it into the mold. I did use tap water instead of distilled water – just forgot. this is my first time ever trying this. I used a immersion blender and blended until it was a very thick pudding consistency. also went to the “email” link in the notice post about the upcoming cold press soap week – what category should we click on to ask questions along the way? will we be able to see other people questions and answers too to learn from it all? thanks for doing this. it will be fun to watch and learn. Emily
sincerelyemily-
Your soap is probably soft because the process we call saponification has not started.
This is a heat loving/generating process. Most often we find that cool starting temperatures, along with cool weather temperatures cause saponification to get a very slow start. At this time I would suggest a heating pad and a cooling rack. Set the heating pad on the counter where it will not be bothered. Turn the heat setting to MEDIUM. Place the cookie/cake cooling rack over the heating pad. Place your soap mold on the cooling rack. Leave in this fashion for 2 to 3 hours. This should help the soap get started through the process. It should be ready to unmold (not as hard as it will ever get, but much firmer) in about 24 hours. Remember, you only need the heating pad for 2 to 3 hours. Otherwise, I think this week will be of great help to you. MMS Technical Support