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A rectangular bar of soap embossed with “GOAT MILK” resting on a mesh pouch, next to a wooden soap dish, a dried orange slice, and a sprig of red berries.
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Yield: 8 Bars of Soap

DIY Persimmon Soap (Goat Milk Melt and Pour)

A gentle goat milk melt and pour soap with fresh persimmon pulp, honey, and flecks of dried persimmon and clove. Makes eight bars in about twenty minutes of hands on time, ready to wrap for gifting the next day.
Prep Time20 minutes
Total Time6 hours 20 minutes
Cost$35

Equipment

  • 1 Silicone spatula
  • 1 Glass mixing bowl
  • 1 8 cavity goat milk soap mold
  • 1 Thermometer
  • 1 Small spray bottle
  • 1 Small saucepan
  • 1 Sharp knife and cutting board

Materials

  • 2 pounds goat milk melt and pour soap base
  • 1 cup persimmon pulp reduces to about 4 tablespoons
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 2 teaspoons sweet orange essential oil
  • 2 dried persimmon slices finely chopped
  • 2 teaspoons whole cloves chopped
  • Rubbing alcohol

Instructions

  • Reduce the pulp. Put 1 cup of persimmon pulp in a small saucepan over medium low heat and stir until it thickens to a paste, 10 to 15 minutes. You should have about 4 tablespoons. Cool completely.
  • Chop the add ins. Finely chop the dried persimmon slices and the cloves, about the size of a sesame seed.
  • Melt the base. Cut the base into one inch cubes and melt in the pitcher in 30 second bursts, stirring between each. Stop as soon as it is liquid and do not go past 150°F.
  • Stir in the pulp and honey. At about 140°F, add the cooled pulp and honey and stir slowly until the color is even.
  • Add the scent and flecks. Cool to about 125°F, then stir in the essential oil, chopped dried persimmon, and chopped cloves.
  • Pour and spritz. Give the pitcher one last slow stir, pour into the mold, and spritz the surface with rubbing alcohol to pop bubbles. Spritz again a minute later if more rise.
  • Set, unmold, and cut apart. Leave the mold flat for 4 to 6 hours, then flex the tray and press the bars out. If they come out joined, cut them apart with a sharp knife on a cutting board. Air the bars uncovered overnight before wrapping.

Notes

  • Use within 3 months. Fruit and honey shorten the shelf life of melt and pour soap and the color darkens with age.
  • Keep it to 2 tablespoons of reduced pulp and 1 teaspoon of honey per pound of base or the bars come out soft.
  • Firm Hachiyas give the most tannin, ripe ones give the warmest color. Fuyu works but brings little tannin.
  • Keep dried fruit and greenery on the outside of the wrap, never against the bare soap.