Orange Blossom Special

May 21, 2009

About a year ago I made a batch of soap that I requested help in naming. One of the suggestions by my friend Cindy, was Orange Blossom Special, in remembrance of the Johnny Cash song (one of my favorite musicians).

I didn't use the name that time but I tucked it away in mind as inspiration for a future soap batch.

Introducing Orange Blossom Special created with essential oils of lavender, orange and clove, with the addition of calendula blossoms.

This time around when I created the soap I had that name in mind as I planned the recipe. I knew I wanted to use carrot to create an orange bar (I use all natural colorants and fragrance). And I wanted it to smell like lavender but with a hint of sweet & spice. I imagine an orange blossom smelling sweet and spicy but having never traveled south I haven't confirmed this to be true or even know if they do have a scent. Can anyone enlighten me?

Either way this soap wasn't made to mimic an orange blossom per se but to be orange with a blossom smell and a little bit special.

It turned out a bit heavy on the lavender side, nice for lavender lovers, not exactly my favorite though. I like one bar of lavender scented soap in my bathroom but 36 curing in my kitchen is 35 too many for my sensitive nose. So I cleared a shelf in my linen closet and now our linens will be lightly scented for months to come.

Here's a few photos of the soap making process. I actually made this batch during the day when the light was better for photo taking.

Carrot juice and lye: looks not too bad but you don't want to touch, taste or smell this stuff