I was at a party last month and I got to talking to someone about Thai curries. Ginger, galangal, lemongrass, coconut milk, and chilies. The idea wedged itself in my brain. The next day I went to make a batch of soap and the idea was still there.

Instead of water, I used a mixture of citron oolong tea and coconut milk. I’m not certain the tea does anything, but the coconut milk is supposed to help with the lather of the bar.

I added essential oils of lemongrass and ginger, and some toasted ground rice (I used a coffee grinder) for an exfoliating boost. The resulting bar smells wonderful and is a beautiful milky greenish-yellow.

Lemongrass, Ginger, Coconut Milk, and Oolong Soap

30% olive oil (pomace) (USA / Canada)
25% beef tallow
25% refined coconut oil (USA / Canada)
5% castor oil (USA / Canada)
15% avocado oil

5% Superfat

Coconut milk and cooled oolong or green tea for the liquid

Lemongrass essential oil
Ginger essential oil

Freeze the coconut milk in an ice cube tray the night before. When you measure out your liquids (by weight!) you should have half coconut milk cubes, half cooled tea. That way, when you add the lye, it won’t get too hot and you won’t have to wait as long for it to cool down.

Other than that, follow my basic soap making instructions for a great bar of soap!