Egyptian cotton There are various types of cotton in the market obtained from different species of cotton plants. You hear the most common Egyptian cotton. This cotton is a term commonly applied to extra-long staple (ELS) cotton produced in Egypt. Egypt's climate allows cotton fibers to grow extra long which classifies it as an ELS fiber. Egyptian cotton is usually 1 ยผ to 2-inch staple length. In its purest state, Egyptian cotton can produce the highest quality fabrics that provide exceptional hand and durability. Pima cotton a sister to Egyptian cotton is a generic label given to extra-long staple cotton developed by the United States in the early 1900s. Egyptian cotton fiber is unique among all cotton varieties. It grows under specific geographical and climatic conditions of heat, sun, moisture, and rich soil. This makes Egyptian cotton fiber longer, stronger, and more durable. This long-staple and extra-long-staple Egyptian-grown cotton produces a fine yarn that is smaller in diameter but stronger than other cottons. This fine, long-staple yarn is woven into the fabric with a higher thread count per square inch of material (higher thread count) for a softer, more luxurious feel. History Egyptian is a market class representing G. barbadense produced in Egypt. Barbadians. The market class began to develop in the 1820s when Jumel's cotton entered commercial production. It was a type of cotton that had been grown in the region for some time, but a French engineer named Jumel recognized its potential as a source of fiber after seeing it growing as an ornamental in a garden in Cairo. Based on its description, it appears to be a recently evolved long-fiber type of G. barbadense from the New World. Encouraged by Jumel's success with cotton, the Egyptians experimented with other seeds, including the Sea Island. The next major breed in Egypt, the early Ashmouni, was probably a hybrid between Jumel and Sea Island. Similarly, the following major variety, Mit Afifi was probably a hybrid between early Ashmouni and a sea island variety. In the latter half of the 19th century, cotton production in Egypt increased dramatically due to the expansion of irrigation and increased demand due to the US Civil War. It has been important ever since. Egyptian cotton characteristics i. Egyptian cotton comes from the species G. barbadense. ii. These Cotton products are softer, finer, and more durable than any other cotton in the world. iii. It has usually a 1 ยผ to 2-inch staple length, also called extra-long staple (ELS) cotton. iv. It's brilliant white or the most vibrant hue on the spectrum, this cotton holds its own with deeper, brighter, and more resistant colors. v. Hand-picked with loving care, this cotton stays stronger for longer, no matter how many times you wash it. vi. This cotton has extremely long-staple fibers, are greater than 36mm with very high uniformity. vii. This cotton is more porous than other types of cotton. This means that it can