We often talk about the benefits of Aleppo soap, rarely about the hand that makes it. We spoke with our master soap maker, who is himself our partner at Organic Bio Tech (Maison du Laurier), to understand what really happens in the workshop.
A soap made to the rhythm of the seasons
First surprise: Aleppo soap is not made all year round. Production takes place during the coolest months, from roughly November to March. The olive oil is first mixed with water and heated to around 200°C. Then comes the signature ingredient, laurel berry oil, added at the right moment.
When the paste reaches the right consistency, it is left to cool overnight. The next day, it is poured straight onto the workshop floor.
Old-style cutting, then patience
To level and cut the mass, the workers walk over it wearing a kind of wooden shoes. Each bar is then stamped with the soap maker’s seal and set to dry.
“Aleppo soap is like a good wine: the older it gets, the better it is,” our soap maker sums up. The cure lasts at least nine months. During this time, under the effect of the air, the surface turns from green to pale gold, while the heart stays green.
A know-how passed on, not offshored
What makes the difference is the composition and the hand that masters it. We personally know the people who make our soaps. The craft is passed down from generation to generation, without exploitation, in keeping with the Syrian tradition.
Why so many people come back to it
When you ask our soap maker why Aleppo soap is so popular today, his answer is simple: people are tired of putting chemicals on their skin and switching from one product to another without ever being satisfied. Aleppo soap has not changed in centuries. It reassures because it is readable: four ingredients, no marketing promise, just a soap that does its job gently.
There is also the attachment to history. Using this soap means continuing a gesture as old as time, made by hands we know. Our soap maker insists on one point: what really matters is the composition, the percentage of olive oil and laurel oil. The rest is just decoration. It is this honesty, as much as the quality, that builds our customers’ loyalty over the years.
Want to hold a soap shaped by this method? Discover our range.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Aleppo soap only made in winter?
The cool temperatures (November to March) are better suited to the cooking and setting of the soap.
How long does Aleppo soap dry?
At least nine months. This long cure gives it its hardness and gentleness.
Why is the heart of the soap green and the outside golden?
The air oxidises the surface, which browns, while the inside keeps its original green colour. It is a good sign of authenticity.
