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Aleppo olive oil soap,
While the Romans choose to herald their glory with Ghar or laurels, in Aleppo inn this land people found another way to enjoy it - they bathed with its fragrance.
1- the story of Aleppo olive oil soap
2- the ingredients of Aleppo olive oil soap
3- the process of making the soap
4- the properties of Aleppo olive oil soap
5- About us
6- how to order
1- the story of Aleppo soap
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Although olive plantations and olive oil production were known since earliest antiquity - tablets from Ebla near Aleppo dated 2400 BC mention olives and olive oil - the actual manufacture of soap from olive oil seems to have been a more recent development.
Soap is first mentioned as a medicinal lotion used in the treatment of certain conditions of the scalp and skin. This early soap was produced from animal and vegetable fats and oils. It is cited in early Sumerian and Assyrian tablets that people of the of what is now Aleppo lerent that by adding the soda ash to the olive oil it would make it foam they would leave it out in sun for nine month letting it harden and that was the first bare soap.
soap was as well as in Egyptian papyri. The Roman historian Pliny,writing in the 1st century AD, attributes the invention of soap to the Gauls.
Whatever its origins, by the Early Middle Ages soap produced from olive oil had become a thriving business all over the civilized world. Aleppo in Northern Syria was particularly famous for the quality of its soap produced in the many small workshops concentrated in the Bab Qinnisrin area.
By the 16th century, the workshops had been transformed into large factories and many specialized areas (Hay Al- Masabin), Souks (Shari Al- Sabbana) and Khans (Khan Al Saboun) came into being to cater for the booming soap industry. And they are still in existence today,Aleppo. It is at the origin of the hard soaps used today throughout the world. lthe soap is hand made, products is particular to Aleppo .
Although well known and thought after in the Middle East, Aleppo 's ancient beauty products are still virtually unheard of in this parts of the world.Japan A treasure waiting to be uncovered.
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2-the ingredients of the Aleppo olive oil soap
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1- the olive oil
The history of olive dates back 6000 years associated with the history of the Mediterranean Sea basin and that it is an important part of the civilization and culture of this region's nations.
The Mediterranean coasts of Syria and Palestine are considered to be a true origin and a cradle for raising the olive tree; from there it has spread throughout the rest of the world. . there were cultivated olive farms in both Syria and Palestine. Olive boughs and seeds were also discovered in the ruins of Ebla, near Aleppo, dating back to more than 2500 years B.C.; also, they were found in the pharaoh tombs in Egypt dating back to more than 1500 years B.C. and in the same period of time, on the coasts of the Aegean Sea in Turkey and Greece.
History registers that the Phoenicians spread the olive plant as of the 16-th century B.C., through the Greek islands; the spread continued gaining utmost importance , in the year 1030 B.C. olive entered Spain, for the first time,the Romans helped in spreading it in the Mediterranean basin, considering it as a handy weapon used as a factor in the settlement of the inhabitants. On the other hand, Arab Muslims played an important role in spreading and developing this plant by transporting various brands of olive to Mediterranean coasts of Europe; especially, Spain, as a consequence, the Spanish words for 'olive' (aceituna) and 'olive oil' (aceite) are borrowed from their Arabic counterparts in that period.
Later, olive was taken to America together with the Spanish conquistadors, and as of the year 1560 A.D. it began to appear in Mexico and Peru, from there to California, Chili and Argentina. Olive continued its spreading in modern times reaching to South Africa, Australia, Japan and China.
Status quo of Olive and Olive Oil in Syria Olive is regarded as one of the cardinal and most ancient agricultural products is Syria, the birthplace of the olive tree, the number of olive trees reached up to more than 70 million,The annual olive oil production in Syria was 165 000 tons in 2002/2003. Olive plantations are chiefly located in the northern and western regions (Aleppo, Idleb, Lattakia and Tartous), There are 10 centers for producing young olive trees distributed among the farmers with symbolic prices.
Syria enjoys a fortune of the best varieties of olive, some of which are destined for oil extraction, others for preparation of olive table and a third bi-functional variety.
2-laurel oil
once used to crown Greek scholars, which is the historic background of the academic "baccalaureate" title. It was also used to adorn the victors in ancient Greece and Rome. The priestesses at Delphi sat over the burning fumes to increase their prophetic visions. Commonly used as a food flavoring, for example for stews, pickles, sauces.
Harvested from wild growing plants on the coastal mountain west of Aleppo ,Part extracted Leaves
3-water
4-soda
called in Aleppo alcalin which is the hydroxide of sodium for the chemical formulation of the soapinfication
Originally the soda ash was obtained from a desert plant, the salsola kali. But recently this has been replaced by industrially produced soda ash.
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the process of making the soap
Pure olive oil soap can only be produced in the cold months - December through to March. It is manufactured using a simple process that has changed little over the centuries. Production is usually in batches of five tons. The percentage of bayberry oil normally varies from 4 up to 25 as desired. Ghar Soap with as much as 60% bayberry oil has been produced.
Preparation:
Olive oil is mixed in large cauldrons with an aqueous solution of an alkali - soda ash. Originally the soda ash was obtained from a desert plant, the salsola kali. But recently this has been replaced by industrially produced soda ash.
The mixture is heated to more than 200 degrees Celsius and stirred until the oil fully decomposes yielding glycerin and the sodium salt of olive oil. This process is called 'saponification'. Towards the end of the initial process, bayberry oil is added to the mixture and further saponification takes place.
The caustic soda solution is drained from the cauldron and the soap mixture is washed with fresh water until tested free of any alkalinity. It is drained again and left overnight to slightly cool and to further drain excess water.
it is dried for 9 months before it is considered ready for sale. This process causes the outside of the soap to turn brown, while inside the soap remains an olive green colour
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the properties of the soap
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It is a completely natural product and contains no perfumes, colours or other additives. Its principal ingredients are olive oil and bay leaf oil
This traditional recipe has been being made in Aleppo in Syria for thousands of years. It is made of the best olive oil from the Syrian olive orchards and laurel berry oil. The oil of the laurel berries is used to cure a myriad of ailments. It is very precious. Just like the olive the laurel plant is venerated as a holy tree. The soaps are made in the traditional fashion, cut and stamped by hand and set. They feel especially light to the touch. The scent could be described as rustical. The feeling of the skin after use is indescribably silken. You have to use this soap to experience it first-hand. Many reduced quality soaps are produced in Aleppo for the West. But this soap is made by one of the last traditional companies producing for the use of the native population. Imported directly from our Syrian contact.
You can use it for everything. A great soap for taking on vacation. You can use it for babies, small children and pets as well. The perfect soap for everyone, no matter what kind of skin type. Also good as shampoo or for washing hand laundry. You can use a little vinegar-water rinse afterwards if you like, depending on the hardness of your water.
Extremely good soap in the case of any skin problems, including overly sensitive or allergic skin, extremely dry or psoriatic skin and exzema
It must not contain any chemical stabilizers or preservatives.
- There are NO CHEMICALS in this soap. Purity: only Olive & Bay (laurel) Oils, Water, Salt.
- No artificial fragrance: rich, natural scent of laurel while you bathe but you won't smell it once you leave the shower.
- Creamy, luxurious lather for hair, face and body. Mild, natural and moisturizing, it won't dry your skin out.
- One 275 gr bar of this soap can last for months because of its density (few air bubbles, little water).
- Buying this soap supports a 500-year-old tradition in the UNESCO world heritage city of Aleppo, Syria.
- The production of this soap does not contribute to world pollution (like most other soaps).
- This soap is used in the finest bathhouses in the Middle East. Used in massage it has a deep, smooth, warming lubrication that leaves the skin clean and refreshed.
- Like fine wine this soap improves with age as the last traces of water leave the bar over time.
- Because this soap is made of pure Olive and Bay oils it floats in the tub.
- This soap feels better than shaving cream for shaving one's face, legs, bikini line and leaves skin refreshed.
- This soap adds body and volume to hair when used as a shampoo.
- This soap does not damage dyed hair and helps hair coloring last longer.
- This soap is perfect for the traveler as it can take the place of shampoo, conditioner, face soap, body soap and shaving cream for traveling light.
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About us
Many reduced quality soaps are produced in Aleppo for the West. But this soap is made by one of the last traditional companies producing for the use of the native population. Imported directly from our Syrian contact owner Hostel Ussama Akkad the native of Aleppo and the owner of Aleppo Spring Flower Hostel
Mr Unten Makato
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How to order
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The different manufacturers produce an almost unlimited variety of Ghar Soaps, ranging from those of an indifferent quality to excellent smooth soaps produced by factories whose names have become synonymous with perfection in Ghar Soap manufacture.
However, the principal factor in the quality of Ghar Soap is, of course, the Olive oil / Bayberry oil mix. It is this ratio, not surprisingly, that also determines the price of the soap.
TO order a minimum of 4 bars (wholesale) sent to you just email us.
Weight: 200g
Ingredients: Olive oil, bay leaf oil, water, alkaline ash.
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