Meet the Ingredients: Lye

The Essential Spark Behind Every Bar – Lye

Lye is a powerful, highly alkaline substance used in various industrial and household applications, including soap making, cleaning, and even certain types of food preparation.

Lye typically refers to sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or sometimes potassium hydroxide (KOH). Both are strong bases that are caustic, meaning they can cause burns and must be handled with extreme care.

Common Uses of Lye:

• Soap Making (Saponification): Lye is essential for turning fats and oils into soap. Without lye, there is no real soap—only detergent.
• Cleaning Products: It’s used in heavy-duty drain cleaners and oven cleaners.
• Food Prep (in tiny amounts!):
• Used to cure olives
• Makes the glossy crust on pretzels
• Essential in making hominy and century eggs

Safety Warning:

Lye is highly corrosive. When using it:

• Always wear gloves, goggles, and protective clothing
• Add lye to water (never the other way around—it can erupt!)
• Store in a cool, dry place away from kids and pets

In short: Lye is a dangerous but incredibly useful ingredient—a little chemistry magic that, when respected, turns into soap, clean drains, or crispy pretzels. Misuse it, though, and it's a villain straight out of a sci-fi lab.