Al'ard الأرض Palestinian Soap

We are deeply honored to carry this beautifully crafted olive oil soap made by Beita Women’s Development Society in the village of Beit Iba, just south of Nablus in the West Bank of Palestine. Al'ard translates to The Land and is made with olive oil from small & local producers, which is considered among the very best found in the region.

Nabulsi soap has been a significant industry for Nablus since the 14th century, and by the 19th century Nablus was the epicenter of soap production in the Fertile Crescent. As of 2012 there were only 4 soap factories still in production, largely due to the occupation. For more information about the history of soap making in Palestine, visit the site of our incredible distributor, Palestinian Soap Cooperative to read this fascinating article. 

And so
it has taken me
all of sixty years
to understand
that water is the finest drink,
and bread the most delicious food,
and that art is worthless
unless it plants
a measure of splendor in people’s hearts.

- Taha Muhammad Ali

Ingredients

olive oil, water, and sodium hydroxide