Cotton is grown all over the world, but more successfully in some places than others. There are four different species of cotton plants and hundreds of different cultivars of these that are actively planted and harvested.

Some types of cotton are known to be more desirable than others, especially for particular applications. Many know that Egyptian cotton, for instance, can be used to produce especially comfortable and luxurious bedding. When in the market for Egyptian cotton bedding, however, it is important to be aware of some significant issues.

A Great Place to Grow Soft, Comfortable Cotton

Cotton plants tend to thrive in warm conditions, and they are mostly grown in such environments worldwide. Growing cotton in a country like Egypt can allow the plants to develop in ways that would not be practical elsewhere.

Even given that fact, though, there is always more to a particular type of cotton than the country where the plant was cultivated. Because the cotton has been such a staple of Egypt's economy for so long, plenty of supporting infrastructure and accommodation has been developed within that nation's borders.

As a result, cotton harvested in Egypt does tend to be of higher quality than the sorts that are most often produced in places like Pakistan and China. Not all Egyptian cotton bed sheets, however, live up to the usual reputation.

Some Sheets Labeled "Egyptian" Are Far Better Than Others

In fact, the quality of sheets that carry an "Egyptian" marking varies every bit as widely as do other types of bedding. A truly high-end set of luxury Egyptian cotton sheets will always be remarkable, but many products that claim to be at that level simply are not.

This is because there is a lot more to the subject than the conditions that allow a manufacturer to add the words "Egyptian" and "cotton" to the label. Some of the issues that set top-quality Egyptian cotton bedding apart from inferior initiators are:

• Staple. The single most distinctive feature of the best cotton grown in Egypt is that it has long, luxurious fibers. This allows companies to use the material to produce especially soft, comfortable cloth. Some sheets that are said to be made of cotton produced in Egypt, however, use raw material with a short, stunted staple. Such products can be less appealing to the touch than sheets made from commodity-grade cotton.

• Harvesting. Preserving the quality of high-end cotton of Egyptian origin requires harvesting by hand. Naturally enough, some producers take shortcuts that diminish quality.

Shoppers who are aware of issues like these can avoid the pitfalls that ensnare many others. Sheets made from the best cotton Egypt has to offer can be some of the best available, but appearances are sometimes deceiving.