Bayberky and Myrtle Soap
Ingredients
Directions
Dissolve the white potash in the water.
Boil the bayberry, tallow, or myrtle wax over low heat with the potash solution.
Add the cold water and boil for 10 minutes.
Scent the mixture with fragrant oil.
Pour into molds and let it dry for a week or more before removing.
Recipe from a historical cookbook (Internet Archive).
Transcribed from a scanned cookbook and modernised for today's kitchens. Where the book gave no heat or time, or said "a moderate oven", the temperatures and times here may be modern equivalents rather than the book's own figures.
Like knowing why a recipe works?
The free Flavor Lab newsletter: one surprising pairing a week and the molecular reason it works, in 60 seconds. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Prefer an account? Create a free account to save pairings and unlock the full chemistry.