A Soap Nut is NOT Just a Soap Nut.
At this time of year the soap berry is maturing on the trees. From area to area and affected by the years weather in the area, we will find soap nuts at various stages in their development. We are dealing with both wild and plantation grown soap nuts. Last years harvest of soap nuts has become very dark and the shells have shrunk in size. Only if stored properly will they still be dry (nut gummy or sticky). The new harvest is of highest demand and value. However, in the rush to bring newly harvested soap nuts to the market, many soap nuts are prematurely harvested. When prematurely harvested, soap nuts will be a golden to yellow color, but also they will be small (often in the 2cm range as compared to a mature soapberry at 4cm or larger). A mature soap nut will have reached its peak in saponin content – the most important factor. Hence, not only are the prematurely harvested soap nuts wasteful in that another six weeks could produce a much higher quality soap nut. But also, they will not be of the quality of a fully mature soap nut.
