This is an addendum to the “How to Buy Soap Nuts” post. The problem with seeds has become SO bad and SO widespread that it warrants its own page.
Bottom line: It’s a big rip off for consumers. Plus the seeds might even ruin your nice laundry. You must question sellers thoroughly. Those seemingly great deals are not good deals at all. - Caveat Emptor – Buyer Beware.
I anticipated a flood of soap nut sellers entering the marketplace with soap nuts of low quality. Major exporters in India and Nepal have reported to me a “big increase” in the volume of both mukorossi and trifoliatus soap berries with seeds being shipped to the US and Canada. They are now popping up all over. EBay and similar auction-type sites are loaded with them. I believe that the more sellers the better. More sellers means increased consumer awareness – exactly what’s needed. HOWEVER – this has instead become a serious problem.
Exhibit F: Soap nuts with seeds.
Unfortunately as anticipated, there would be an abundance of new sellers without adequate knowledge and experience regarding all the aspects of soap berries that should be considered by informed consumers. Price alone becomes the primary concern for such sellers. Then interestingly, I’ve been reading some very imaginative and creative ways these sellers are presenting their soap nuts in an effort to justify the below market prices. (One caveat being some with artificially low product prices and high shipping rates – but we all recognize that game right away.)
More Soap Nuts with seeds (eBay).
My point here is to reemphasize being cautious. Having become such a widespread problem, it’s easy to be fooled (particularly for the new users – the users don’t know the ropes yet, and whom we want their first experience to be a good one.) “Whole” soap nuts are being promoted heavily – frequently with “WHOLE” meaning “WITH SEEDS”. As explained in greater detail above, they are very inexpensive if not de-seeded (particularly the trifoliatus species). Seeds only add weight – lots of it – without any value (except for planting). Adjacent to each paragraph in this update are illustrative images directly from current eBay sellers. (I enhanced the clarity and sharpness of the soap berries in some pics so you would be better able to see far more detail. Other than improving clarity they have not been altered in any way.)
Exhibit G: Soap Nuts "Full" (meaning with seeds) exactly as advertised by exporter. Note greenish color and relatively smooth skin texture. These are indicative of prematurely harvested soap berries. Soap nuts that have not fully ripened will be very low in saponin content.
The species in each image can’t be determined with certainty since there is no object of reference to judge size. Although referred to as mukorossi in each case, some soap berries have characteristics far more similar in appearance to trifoliatus. With trifoliatus, there is typically a larger light spot (relative to the size of the whole soap berry) where it breaks off from the stem. Plus there is often a more distinct color variation particularly along the the ridge lines of the “crinkles”, wherein the high ridge lines tend to be significantly lighter than the darker crevices. All-in-all it makes them look more “crinkled”. Also, after some aging when containing seeds it is common to notice a natural splitting or “bursting open” of the outer skin on and around the weaker stem area. This is due to the contraction of the soap nut’s pulp and skin around its rock-hard seed as its shell shrinks. As mentioned before, the “shell” and seed become very tightly bonded together and difficult to separate. (See Exhibit C in the “How to Buy Soap Nuts” post.) But be that as it may, you can certainly see that the skin and pump are completely intact (excepting the ones intentionally broken open for illustration). There are no man-made cuts or slits or partially broken berries – the key indicators of properly de-seeded soap nuts. (The possible exception being Exhibit I. Frankly, I won’t even attempt to speculate regarding what these are or where they came from.)
Exhibit H: Soap nuts with seeds - detailed close up.
Study the examples provided and draw your own conclusions. Each image has been pulled from actual advertisements from active soap nut retail sellers and exporters. One big aspect of using soap nuts is saving money. The last thing you want is to get scammed. It’s usually obvious, if not – ask questions!
CASE NOTE (added 1-20-10): I’ve been made aware that a well-known US herb and oil seller is now selling “whole”, “certified organic” soap nuts at an exceptionally cheap price. I have seen and handled these personally. They are trifoliatus (not mukorossi) that have not been de-seeded. The seller’s description reads as follows: “Soap Nuts, whole, sapindus mukorossi. Profile: Also known as Sapindus mukorossi, Sapindus trifoliatus, Sapindus saponaria, soapberry, and soap pods. Introduction: Soap nuts are found in both the eastern and western hemispheres, but are native to India and Nepal.” This is precisely the kind of misrepresentation, sketchy generalized info, and partial truths that lead to consumer confusion and bad experiences. The product photo on the company’s web site would be extremely difficult for an untrained eye to determine the species and condition. To be usable for washing, the outer skin of every small trifoliatus soap berry had to be tediously broken away and peeled off the seed. Not fun. Well over half of the weight of the bag of soap nuts turned out to be seeds. The worst thing is that any unknowing consumer would have a very bad experience if used as packaged. Thankfully I’ve been able to assist some buyers, but how many will never know all the facts? If you are one to think that OTCO (Oregon Tilth) and USDA organic labels are like stand-alone “Good Housekeeping” seals of approval, you may really want to think twice.
As a last example (hopefully) of how sellers blatantly use seeds in an attempt to misrepresent the value of their product (i.e., defraud us), the following is EXACTLY (copied and pasted) how this particular brand is represented on Amazon. (There’s now a few “eBayers” that have now upgraded to selling on Amazon, too.) That’s too bad, but at least Amazon has a better system for weeding out the bad sellers and products – they let the consumers do it!
Another brand (now on Amazon) that rather cleverly misrepresents their Soap Nuts. You get what you pay for. Period. As put by one Amazon shopper: "Caveat Emptor!" (Buyer Beware!)
Anyway, there’s a nice little “tap dance” to distract buyers. The consumer must read between the lines. In this case, it’s what is NOT SAID that tells the “whole” story. (That was a good pun.) Not one single word is mentioned about de-seeding. “De-seeded” or “Seedless” are TOP selling points. It’s always noted if they are – for it dramatically increases their value (at least doubles it). Also note how cleverly this brand mentions their brochure’s “conservative” cost per load claim as if they are being honest and doing us a favor. It’s all smoke and mirrors designed solely to confuse potential buyers. Guess greed won out when naming the product. I had to laugh. It states: “1 kilo/320 loads. Price is not a typo.” That’s means you can average 9+ loads per an average wash bag. Not so from my experience. But again, draw your own conclusions:
“Features:
-Eco-Friendly Natural Laundry Soap Nuts That are as Green as You Can Get.
-Organic Low Sudsing and Perfect for HE Washers. Softens Your Clothes Chemical Free.
-Pucketa Creek Soap Nuts 1 Kilogram/ 2.2 Pounds
Description:
Soap Nuts have been used for hundreds of years in India and Nepal as a natural way to clean and soften laundry. They work very well, particularly with delicate fabrics, towels and diapers. There are a few varieties and, of course, we import the one that is highest in saponins – Sapindus Mukorossi. Saponins is the cleaning agent that is released when Soap Nuts come in contact with water. Just place a few in the wash bag that we supply and pop it in the washer – that’s it! No other soaps or chemicals (softeners) are needed. Pucketa Creek Soap Nuts are great, but they are not a miracle product. Certain stains and repeated washing of whites may need a little help, just like your current detergent. Soap Nuts are low sudsing and work well in all machines, even high efficiency (HE) washers. Pucketa Creek Soap Nuts are re-usable and – depending on water temperature, water level, load size, and whether or not you choose to leave them in during the rinse cycle – are VERY economical. Some competitors claim as little as 5 cents per load. Our brochure lists a more conservative figure of 17 cents per load. Pucketa Creek Soap Nuts are a wonderful alternative to commercial laundry detergents that can help your family lead a more “green” eco-friendly life and enjoy the experience. You can use an artificial product that contains untold chemicals that pollute just by their manufacture and require even more chemicals to work acceptably (fabric softeners). Or you can use a completely natural product that is created by a totally renewable and sustainable source that reduces pollution by its growth, works very well, has a multitude of uses beyond clothes washing and…even saves you money! You can (and should) feel good about using this product.
Price:
List Price: $38.00
Price: $13.95
You save: $24.05 (63%)”
Yea, right…
