What is Mulberry Silk?

Mulberry silk refers to silk produced through the traditional process using silkworms - however, in this instance, the silkworms are exclusively fed on the mulberry tree leaves. 

Mulberry silk is widely regarded for its quality, notably the fabric's:

• smoothness
• strength and durability
• ultra-soft feel

The Bombyx Mori silkworms are used in the 5,000-year-old production process for mulberry silk. The silkworms are fed a diet of exclusively mulberry leaves from the Mobus Alba - a fast-growing tree native to India and China. Bombyx Mori silkworms spin raw silk thread cocoons that reach ultra-long lengths, which are collected, spun, and woven for fabric use.

Mulberry silk is marketed as a premium form of silk, and for good reason, too. The silk-making process - especially the diet of the silkworms - is very particular and requires a lot of time and resources for manufacturers to produce the fabric, and often the price tag can reflect that.

As well as being a more labour-intensive process compared to other forms of silk production, mulberry silkworms produce little fabric in comparison to other silkworms, which hikes up the price per cut of fabric to account for the manufacturing costs.

Mulberry silk also has the benefit of looking, feeling, and wearing better in the long run than most other silks, justifying its status as a luxury fabric. 

• Strength - due to its longer fibers, mulberry silk is often stronger than other silks, enduring more wear, tear, and washes as well as having greater longevity
• Feel - the silk feels softer to the touch compared to its counterparts, making it kinder to the hair and skin
• Colour - mulberry silk is typically white by the end point of the production process, making it easy to dye with natural dyes without causing irritation
• Hypoallergenic - silk is a natural fabric, making it a better choice for allergy sufferers. However, mulberry is on the top tier of hypoallergenic silks, as it contains sericin, a natural protein that has a minimal likelihood of causing reactions or irritation.
• Cost - the main drawback for customers looking to purchase mulberry silk is the price tag, as its lengthy and low-yielding manufacturing process makes it an expensive production in the pursuit of luxury.

• Temperature control - the moisture-wicking qualities of the silk keep bedding dry and cool, preventing overheating, as well as helping to improve the quality and comfort of your sleep.
• Hair and skin - silk is naturally anti-friction, ensuring hair doesn't get too tangled on the pillow during rest. The moisture-wicking also prevents irritation that makes hair and skin oily, causing reactions like acne or allergy-related breakouts.
• Sustainability - the natural process of mulberry silk makes it one of the most environmentally friendly fabrics. It is also biodegradable and requires little use of pesticides in its production.