Homemade Soap!

[euge]

This is interesting…

I just pulled the soap (see above - basic recipe with cascade hops (not dishwasher detergent)) and the instant it hits the air, it starts turning brown. I mean, you can watch the color change. I did some google work and it seems to be a known issue with soap with vanilla added. The only thing I can imagine is that whatever is in vanilla that causes the browning is also in hops. Fascinating.

I wonder if it is the alcohol?

[morticaixavier]

This is interesting…

I just pulled the soap (see above - basic recipe with cascade hops (not dishwasher detergent)) and the instant it hits the air, it starts turning brown. I mean, you can watch the color change. I did some google work and it seems to be a known issue with soap with vanilla added. The only thing I can imagine is that whatever is in vanilla that causes the browning is also in hops. Fascinating.

I wonder if it is the alcohol?

no alcohol in the above recipe. that's a curios thing. Says oxidation to me so somethings o2 loving in both vanilla and hops. doesn't have to be the same something.though.

[theoman]

Just thought I'd send an update. Yeah, the hops soap turned brown, but it eventually turned a nice and even rich brown. Not bad. It's really nice soap, but it's pretty much a waste of hops. The bits exfoliate nicely and help build a great lather, but there's no typical hops characteristics whatsoever. I wouldn't recommend it other than for the gimmick factor, or if you have some ancient hops. It's better than throwing them away.

[passlaku]

I wonder if you could use hopshot instead?

[hokerer]

I wonder if you could use hopshot instead?

Yeah, and then see if it's possible to exceed 100 IBU's in your soap

[punatic]

Well, I've made 72# of soap for Christmas presents this year.
15 - 4.8# batches
180 - 6oz bars.

12 batches were comissioned by friends to give as presents. 
Three were my own to give as presents.

I think I've got it figured out.  My soap is very popular.  In the 18 months since I started making soap I've made a little over 200#.  It sells quite well.