- The material commonly called burlap in the United States is known as "hessian" in parts of Europe because it was used in the uniform of soldiers from the state of Hesse. A bag made from the material is called a "gunny sack" in some places. And, of course, burlap is the rough material that makes up the bags used by children in potato sack races. It's also sometimes blended with other fibers to make yarn, rope, cordage, nets and other similar products.
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JuteThe course texture of burlap comes from the fact it is made from the skin of the jute plant, one of the least expensive textile crops in the world--and one of the strongest. Jute fibers have a high content of cellulose, a major component of plant stalks, as well as lignin, a constituent of wood. The result is a textile fiber that is part cloth and part wood, heat resistant, easy to dye and very strong. Jute cultivation requires standing water, so most production comes from Bangladesh and Indian regions that benefit from a heavy monsoon season. After cotton, it is the second most important vegetable fiber in the world. - As it turns out, jute is a very versatile material. The lignin component makes for an itchy material if used for clothing, but when separated into very fine threads, has been used to make imitation silk. The tensile strength and low cost of jute fiber make it ideal for industrial applications. The fact that it's entirely natural and biodegradable makes it a popular choice for uses where these qualities are desirable, such as in covering and binding plant roots for transportation and replanting, or to prevent erosion. Blended with other materials, jute fibers are woven into curtains, chair coverings, carpets, area rugs, canvas and even the backing for linoleum. A relatively new application for jute, capitalizing on its lignin content, is as a woody pulp for making paper and pressboard furniture. It has notable potential as a component in lightweight automobile exterior panels that resist side impact. High in betacarotene, iron, calcium and Vitamin C, and with significant antioxidant activity, the leaves are eaten alone or as part of a soup in many parts of the world. In West Africa and Egypt, in fact, jute is a key ingredient of the national dish.
