The story of cotton goes back to thousands of years – almost 7000 years if scientists are to be believed! In fact, evidence suggests that people in the Indus civilization have been growing and spinning cotton for more than 300 years. Today, more than a dozen types of cotton grow everywhere, ranging from the USA to Central America, South Asia, and Southern Africa. Read this if you’d like to learn more about the different types of cotton:
Pima Cotton
This is considered one of the finest cotton, thanks to its extra-long fibres. No wonder clothes made using Pima cotton are extra soft and very durable. Fabrics made using Pima cotton are loved for the luxurious and smooth feel. They are resistant to fraying, wrinkling, piling, and don’t tear away easily. Before buying Pima cotton, make sure the manufacturer verifies that they use 100% pure Pima cotton.
Egyptian Cotton
Pima cotton and Egyptian cotton may share the same scientific name and look alike, but they’ve grown in different geographical areas and under different climatic conditions. Pima cotton is commonly grown in the United States, while the latter is cultivated in Egypt in a hot and dry climate. But both of these are classified as extra-long-staple cotton thanks to the long fibres that result in finer and smoother fabric. Both Pima and Egyptian cotton are expensive and hence, mislabelled. In fact, a recent survey found that most cotton sold as Egyptian or Pima cotton isn’t what it is labelled to be.
Turkish Cotton
Turkish cotton has been cultivated in the Aegean Region since the 7th century. Like Egyptian cotton, they have extra-long fibres, and hence the resulting fabric is smooth, strong, and comfortable. Like Egyptian cotton, they become softer, stronger, and more absorbent overuse.
They are used to make the now-famous peshtemals or Turkish towels. In fact, Turkish towels have been in use for hundreds of years in hammams and wedding ceremonies. Turkish towels are loomed and looped by Turkish families that have been weaving for generations. Their long fibres make these towels durable and versatile, and they also become soft and absorbent overuse.
Upland Cotton
The scientific name for upland cotton is Gossypium hirsutum. It is one of the most common types of cotton and accounts for almost 90% of cotton production. The fibres are short, soft, and low maintenance. They are used to make denim jeans and flannel clothing and extract cotton-seed oil, which, in turn, is used to make cooking products like margarine and cooking oil.