Pieschen-Aktuell, Jetzt auch mit Blumen, 16. Dezember 2024 von Jan Frintert
For nearly a year, the Pieschen Soap project has been a staple of the local community. Initiated by Pieschen-based scientist Tobias König, this sustainable soap is crafted from leftover oils used by Uwe Sochor of the France-themed shop Savoir Vivre to marinate delicacies. Since its inception, these small soap bars have been available at Savoir Vivre in exchange for donations.
This year, a charming new flower shop, Himmelsschlüssel, opened just around the corner on Konkordienstraße. Shortly after its opening, König visited store owner Miriam Sajonz and shared the story of his soap-making initiative. Together, they envisioned adding a decorative element to the soap bars, leading to the idea of incorporating flowers.
The concept was quickly put into action. Flowers that could no longer be sold or had broken stems are now pressed, dried, and embedded into the soap during the production process. The result is a beautifully adorned version of the Pieschen Soap, elevating its aesthetic appeal while maintaining its original eco-friendly and skin-nourishing properties.
König continues to follow the principles of traditional Aleppo soap-making, one of the oldest known soap production methods. Using a gentle boiling process, the natural benefits of the oils are preserved. With a high content of unsaturated fatty acids, the soap remains particularly suitable for sensitive skin.
With this latest collaboration, the Pieschen Soap project has expanded its local partnerships once again, bringing together sustainability, craftsmanship, and community spirit. The floral-enhanced soap bars are now available, making them a delightful and functional addition to any skincare routine.
Outreach and Scientific Engagement
The Pieschen Soap project is not just about sustainability and craftsmanship—it also serves as an outreach initiative designed to captivate and engage the Society for Colloid Science. By bridging traditional soap-making techniques with modern colloidal chemistry, the project showcases the relevance of colloidal science in everyday life. Through this initiative, König aims to foster greater interest in colloidal systems and their applications, inspiring both researchers and the broader public to appreciate the intricate science behind materials as common yet complex as soap.
Historical Connection to the Colloidal Society
The study of soap has long been of interest in the field of colloidal chemistry. The Kolloid-Gesellschaft, founded in 1922 by Wolfgang Ostwald, extensively researched colloidal systems, including the chemistry and physical properties of soap. Since soap molecules form colloidal structures known as micelles in water, their behavior aligns with key principles of colloid science.
In its early research, the Kolloid-Gesellschaft examined the stability of soap foams, the interaction of soap with water hardness, and the development of new surfactant systems. These studies contributed significantly to understanding the cleaning mechanisms of soap, the role of emulsifiers, and advancements in detergent formulation.
By integrating elements of both scientific heritage and sustainable innovation, the Pieschen Soap project continues this tradition, offering a modern take on a centuries-old craft while maintaining strong ties to colloidal chemistry principles.
