Nablus and Marseille Soap Box

A mixed box of the two main olive oil soap traditions of the Mediterranean: pure olive oil soap from Nablus, and olive pomace and coconut oil soap from Marseille. During the Crusades, the European "King of Jerusalem" put a royal monopoly on Nablus soap, the taxes from which were used to create the Marseille soap industry, among others. Since olive oil wasn't as abundant in France as it was in Palestine, the Marseille soap makers invented a way to second press olive mash to create a dark green and fragrant molasses for use in soap. While Nablus soap is unscented, Marseille soap has a rich earthy scent from the olive seeds and skins that are crushed to make its molasses. And while Nablus soap is better for treating skin ailments, Marseille soap's 28% coconut oil and 72% olive base is preferred those who like a relatively sudsy and naturally fragrant bar. Both kinds of soap are still made by the Palestinian slow-cooked open-cauldron hot process that was the subject of the royal monopoly.

This mixed box consists of 6 bars: five Nablus soaps (2 al-Ard; 1 al-Jamal; 1 al-Mufftahein; and 1 al-Zaytoon) and one Marseille soap.