subject: Some Background On Egyptian Cotton [print this page] At first Egyptian cotton as it is referred to today was not first actually grown in Egypt. A tiny sample was transported to Egypt from Ethiopa, called Maho cotton where Muhammad Ali, the primary of Modern Egypt was recommended to purchase enough for a sufficient piece of land to self produce. His first harvest was hugely successful so he continued to grow more and around 1822 started the production of this luxurious material. A little later in a bustling square in the small port town of Alexandria trading first began.
Today Alexandria is one of the most important shipping and trading ports in the world because of its excellent road network between the Med and the Red Sea, and secondly due to its huge trade in egyptian cotton. The mild climate and the River Nile were partly responsible for the strong increase in cotton sales, because without those 2 vital conditions the cotton would not have sustained. Egypt also began improving its irrigation systems that helped to increase the standard and subsequent sales value of egyptian cotton
Egyptian cotton is also produced with respect for the environment. Egyptian cotton is very smooth and silky thanks to being man handled and without the use of harmful chemicals or pesticides The standard of egyptian cotton thread is measured by the length of the fibers, and Egyptian cotton has unusual long fibers which give it that extra softness, and also mean the fibers can be woven in a more condensed way which makes it harder wearing. Also as this cotton is washed over and over again (following the guidelines) it actually becomes softer. Over time this luxury cotton is automatically acknowledged with comfort, quality and strength in the textile industry.
Today in Egypt the cotton continues to grow in the south and the north regions with the bestquality fibers being shipped overseas and the inferior fibers being used in the home market. It is obviously more expensive than its counterparts because it is 100% organic, not developed by machinery and because of its unique long fibers.
Egyptian cotton used to be purchased only by the wealthy and luxury hotels but is now more mass market. It is still as exceptional as it was all those years ago, and continues to be recognised as the height of luxury, blending beauty and comfort, which is why here at Egyptian Cotton Collection we use it for our products and bedding collections.
