Shire of Sylvan Glen 2.0 - Arts & Sciences - Soap Making, Powder Forte & Powder Douce

Powder Forte & Powder Douce

By The Honorable Lady Sueva the Short

Recently an invitation was put forth for every group to create something for inclusion in Pennsic gift baskets. What follows is a summary of our efforts. Lady Rosamund opened her home to us for a soap making workshop.

Soap Making

We opted for a slightly modern recipe (olive and cocoanut oil) producing rich and fragrant bars which we felt would be more pleasing to the recipients.

First, we used red devil lye flakes at 1/4 cup to 1 cup of water. When the lye was added to the water the chemical reaction created a substantial amount of heat. While the lye mixture cooled, we melted approximately 1 cup of cocoanut oil and then added olive oil to measure 2 cups. This measured liquid oil was poured into a non-metallic pot.

When the lye was cool enough to touch the container, (that's the CONTAINER - NOT the solution itself) it was added to the oil mixture in the pot.

Rosamund stirred frequently until the mixture began to congeal. Finally the mixture was at trace and ready for any additives. We were not adding any texture or colorants, only fragrance. The flagrance was added and stirred...

...then the mixture was poured into individual molds.

Even after pouring saponification is still occurring. It is important to leave the soap to cure for three or four weeks before use.

Powder Forte & Powder Douce

Powder Forte and Powder Douce are spice mixes which were commonly called for in medieval recipes. Forte meaning strength, would have strong spices, and douce, meaning soft, would have soft spices. Various combinations could have been used, as we modernly have various blends of curry powder.

After the soap making we mixed up sixteen little batches of each spice combo. The funny part was trying to do the math and extend out the ingredients to make full jars. The stuff kept shrinking! But eventually it all worked out.

For Powder Douce:
2 t. sugar
3/8 t. cinnamon
3/8 t. ginger

This would be great in a custard or on bread as in cinnamon toast, or added to the egg batter when making french toast.

For Powder Forte:
1 ½ T. ginger
1 T. cinnamon
½ t. grains of paradise
½ t. cloves
½ t. pepper

This is great anywhere a touch of strong peppery/spicy flavor is desired. Excellent in stews and quiche.

Thank you Lady Rosamund and everyone who donated ingredients and participated. This was a lot of fun. A more detailed discussion of soap making can be found in the May 2002 issue of the Purgatory Press.

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