Giza Cotton
Giza is a place in Egypt and the cotton that is grown and harvested in that region is known as Giza Cotton. (Simple!)
Like Tea plants that are grown in Darjeeling is famous as Darjeeling Tea.
Similarly, Giza Cotton from Giza is famous for its superior quality.
Giza cotton is grown and harvested in the Nile Delta, close to the river which provides the ideal environment for the growth of the cotton. The Nile Delta provides nutrient-rich soil, sunlight, humidity (vapour from the river) which all together helps in the growth of long staple fine quality cotton.
In India, the same environmental condition can be seen in Gujarat. Sunshine, nutrients and humidity all together provide perfect conditions for cotton cultivation, as a result, Gujarat is the top cotton-producing state in India.
Not all cotton that is grown in Egypt (or anywhere around the world) is of superior quality.
Cotton can be of the short staple (SS), long staple (LS) and extra long staple (ELS).
The fibre length of ELS cotton must be 1 3/8 inches or 34.925 mm long.
Among the different quality groups, the ELS Cotton of 35 mm and above is in great demand world over for the manufacture of high-quality ring spun yarns.
ELS Cotton in Egypt is branded as Giza 45, Giza 70, Giza 87, Giza 88.
ELS Cotton in West Indies is branded as Sea Island.
ELS Cotton in Sudan is branded as Barakat 90.
ELS Cotton in India is branded as Suvin, cultivated in Tamil Nadu.
ELS Cotton in the United States of America is branded as Pima. Quality of Pima is guaranteed by Supima, non-profit marketing and licensing association for Pima cotton.
So, Giza Cotton is a variety of Egyptian Cotton.
ELS cotton (Giza 45, Giza 70, Giza 87, Giza 88, Sea Island, Barakat 90, Suvin, Pima) are all varieties of the finest quality cotton from various countries.
Egyptian Cotton
The ancient Egyptian cotton is known as Jumel. Improvement in Jumel cotton by cross-fertilization with the Sea Island cotton lead to the development of first barbadense variety Ashmouni. Currently, Egypt cultivates around 11 varieties which are classified into ELS and LS.
Pima Cotton
Pima cotton originated in Peru, earned its name from Pima tribe of American Indians.
90% percent of Pima area is in California State.
There are 21 approved Pima varieties.
Sea Island Cotton
Francis Levett, an Englishmen was the first to plant sea island cotton.
Suvin Cotton
Suvin was created by V Santhanam, a retired cotton breeder from Coimbatore’s Tamil Nadu Agriculture University. He created Suvin by crossing Egyptian cotton variety “Sujata” with “St Vincent” from the West Indies.
Don't forget to try our Giza Cotton Shirt.
[Reference]
[Center Institute of Cotton Research: Extra Long Staple Cotton Scenario in India and World]
[International Cotton Advisory Committee: Statement of Egyptian Delegation]
Image: Freepik