Apparently I am very easy to buy presents for – so my family tells me. I’m always grateful for and pleased with any gift I receive, but there are a couple of things which are real treats for me. Despite not having a sweet tooth, I love baklava, Turkish Delight, eastern Mediterranean and middle eastern desserts and pastries. Fortunately we should soon have someone joining our family from that exact region! My other love and indulgence is very different – and I hope I never get the two confused because what I really enjoy is soap – yes, soap.
Soap is a salt of a fatty acid (sometimes other carboxylic acids) used for cleaning and lubricating products as well as other applications. In a domestic setting, soaps, specifically “toilet soaps”, are surfactants usually used for washing, bathing, and other types of housekeeping. In industrial settings, soaps are used as thickeners, components of some lubricants, emulsifiers, and catalysts. Soaps are often produced by mixing fats and oils with a base. Humans have used soap for millennia; evidence exists for the production of soap-like materials in ancient Babylon around 2800 BC
Thank you Wikipedia!
To be honest, if you don’t know what soap is (and because so much soap is liquid in bottles these days, i can imagine some people have never come across bars of soap) the above description might sound rather revolting. Fatty acid, carboxylic acid, lubricating products, toilet soaps, thickeners, fats and oils… who would guess from those words that such a delightful and useful product would result. I buy well-known soaps, but occasionally, I treat myself to something a little more expensive, a little more luxurious. My family know this and they are usually kind enough to surprise me with some lovely soap on my birthday or at Christmas.
Nearly ten years ago we went on what was literally a trip of a lifetime to Tasmania, where my great grandfather was born, and where his father was a wealthy, influential and much respected member of the Jewish and wider community. While there we visited a place where, among the home-made products on sale was soap, and i bought a couple of bars. They sat in our suitcase and scented our clothes and when I came home, using them in the shower reminded me of Tasmania. This was of course a long while ago but, recently, somehow, and I can’t quite remember how – I found Tasmanian soap. I must have been on a Tasmanian website. I visit such sites quite often as I so loved the island, and dream about being able to visit again. This soap producer is the Tasmanian Soap Farm: Here is what they say about their soap, shampoo and other delights:
This is no ordinary island, and these are no ordinary products.They’re made purely of Tasmania. One hundred per cent! We invite you to browse our exciting natural range, including soaps, scrubs and balms for healthy body, hair and oral care. There’s even something for your furry friends, check out our dog shampoo and dog toothsoap. Feel confident knowing that what you purchase here comes from clean air, a green heart and a pristine place, handcrafted with your wellbeing in mind. Experience Tasmania every day
I ordered a couple of bars as a little treat for myself, and had a lovely response from Michelle and Nick Bennett from the Soap Farm. On schedule my parcel arrived, beautifully packed and with extras I hadn’t expected such as soft mesh bags to keep the soap in and a cute little soap duck
https://www.tasmaniansoapfarm.com/
I am absolutely thrilled with my lovely soap, it smells wonderful, it does indeed remind me of Tasmania. It’s very gentle on my skin, and takes me back to our wonderful holiday. More than ever it makes me think how much we would love to visit again.
Lois Elsden 