Pacel Soap

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Pacel Soap is an ayaupian type of soap saponifying Molcupoca tree grease with lye, by cold process. Usually produced for cleaning properties, the soap is reknown for its softness and mild sensation when in contact with the skin.

A batch of pacel soap

To be labelled "Pacel Soap" it has to be made with only Molcupoca milk, by the traditional way, in the defined area of cities located in Pacel province, Ayaupia, in what is roughly the Unasnal natural region, from Ayosnol to Palesnal towns, also comprising Acolitap, Onasvayel and Polustal, between the Unasnal-Palisnol and Alasnil departments. It also has to contain at least 75 % of Molcupoca milk.

The soap has an off-white color, turning into light brown tones. It is often described with a neutral scent, with mild and nutty odours. It can be perfumed with Palo Santo, Lemongrass or wild flowers essential oils, such as Longmary, Wilula or Pascapolal.

The earliest appearance of soap production in Ayaupia can be traced back to the 19th century, when brand new industries lead to a new way of making caustic soda : brine (sodium chloride) electrolysis. A new, cheap and effective way of making soap replaced the previous attempts at making washing products which were laborious and costly.

History

Appearance of soap-making

Before soaps were in use, the grease harvested from the Molcupoca tree was simply solidified and used as such, raw, without any added process. First attempts to create a soap out of it were made by obtaining lye by mixing sea water and sulfuric acid from combusting sulfur, limestone and charcoal (this method was imported from Auroran countries), but that revealed to be time and energy consuming, as well as being expensive.

With the industrial revolution sweeping through Gondwana, new possibilities were discovered. The use of electricity in salted water to make caustic soda lead to the ability to produce soap.

Industries

In the mid 1850's, the ''oniparacutali'' of Pacel decided to follow the kingdom of Palescia and the palayonian kingdoms in the path of industrialising themselves. It has been decided to spatially organise the various industries, thus the country was divided into regions (corresponding to natural regions) where each would be attributed to a specific field. As the ship and transportation industry was given to the north coast around Planapap, the central plains, lowlands scattered with swamps and prairies as well as small woods, the Unasnal, was considered the best place for agricultural products industry.

Molcupoca trees became widely cultivated as to harvest their grease, sold for consumption and hygienic use. The first soap factories appeared in Onasvayel, then spread out in neighbouring cities. In 1858, at least 5 factories were producing 15 000 tons of soap. In 1862, 27 factories produced 52 000 tons, employing 440 workers. At its peak in 1876, 74 factories and 81 000 tons of soap, for 890 workers.

At the dawn of the 20th century, there were 95 factories in total. The recipe sticks to : 66 % of Molcupoca grease, 10 % of lye and 24 % of water.

Making process

Saponification

Pacel Soap is made through a process called saponification. The process is a cold one, that is no heating used. After the lye was added into water, the Molcupoca milk is poured with the cooled lye, then stired repeatedly, in the same direction.

Washing

After the mixture has thickened, it is washed with salted water to remove any extra lye residue. The salted water has to be saturated with sodium chloride. This step is made possible by the fact that the mixture is poorly dissolvable in salted water.

Molding and cutting

The mixture is set to rest, then poured into a mold, to make it dry and harden. It is then chopped into 10 x 5 centimeters large tiles and stamped. On the stamp is written the city were the soap was made, the percentage of Molcupoca grease, which has to be at least 75 %, and that it was produced by Pacelan people.

Scents can be added after the saponification process.

Pacel Soap in modern days

More cheap and fast ways to produce soap quickly replaced the traditional way of making soap in Ayaupia, which is still in use in some factories of Pacel Province. It has got a reputation of a quality product, as a "natural" and "traditional" one. Most of resembling industrial soap use multiple oils and fat. True Pacel Soap is now relatively rare but still affordable, as it is for instance given as a present in special occasions.

Use

Mostly used to wash the body, hands and face included. It is said to have cutaneous benefits, such as curing various skin issues, like eczema or urticaria. It can be used safely by anybody as it doesn't have any allergenic ingredient. It also essentially kills bacterias, therefore it is a great hygienic product.