What Is the Difference Between Tussah Silk and Mulberry Silk?

How can you tell mulberry silk from tussah silk? What you should know about mulberry silk and tussah silk is as follows.

Tussah silk is more robust than mulberry silk and, by nature, has a slightly brownish color. Because of its natural coloring and extensive basting, the thicker and shorter thread is more uneven and less fine. Some of the fabrics made from this wild silk include honan and shantung.

For more information on the variations between tussah silk vs mulberry silk, read this article. We also have comparisons of Charmeuse Silk vs Mulberry Silk and Satin Silk vs Mulberry Silk.

Difference Between Tussah Silk and Mulberry Silk

You might be wondering how mulberry differs from common silk. Sometimes referred to as the “King of Silk,” there are plenty of reasons why mulberry silk stands out from the crowd.

Here are several factors that pinpoint the differences between mulberry silk and tussah silk:

Different Silkworm Cocoon Colors

The silk fibers that are extracted from mulberry cocoons are also small and white. Tussah cocoons are larger and lighter brown in color, and silk fibers are thicker and yellowish in color, making them better candidates for use as processing materials for making silk clothing, sheets, and pillowcases.

Different Processing Technologies

Mulberry silk (cocoon) displays natural white, so no chemical bleaching process is required when making silk quilts. Therefore, mulberry cocoons, which are the only raw materials, must be considered when making a true and authentic pure natural silk quilt.

Orose Silk makes healthy, eco-friendly products out of 100% natural silk.

When compared to%s (cocoon), Tussah silk is different. Often “fluorescent brightener” is added for fading and chemical blenching always. The effects of fluorescent agents are carcinogenic on humans and harmful to their health, according to modern science.

Different Silk Floss Colors

Mulberry silk has a bright luster and appears to be naturally milk white, with a hint of green or yellow if you look closely.

White is also present in the bleached tussah silk, but it is a very uniform white that resembles white paper.

Different Fiber Diameters

The Mulberry silk fiber diameter is 8 microns.

“Fiber diameters” are different, which means the thicknesses of the fiber are different informally. Weight is one of the evaluation indices, along with warmth, flexibility, and ventilation.

The light quilt is preferable to the heavy one when it comes to quality and effect; otherwise, it will be the same as a thick cotton blanket, which makes it difficult for people to breathe.

With the same volume, the weight of the Mulberry silk is smaller than that of the tussah silk, which is affected by the different silk cotton fibers.

The tussah silk fiber diameter is more than 70 microns, nearly 9 times of that of the Mulberry silk.

Different Fiber Lengths and Toughness

The methods of the fiber for creating a quilt are determined by its toughness and length. There are currently both automated and manual processes. Mulberry silk is a long fiber with superior elasticity and toughness. It is similar to a very flexible rubber band. It can be stretched ten times without breaking.

Even if a tiny silk cocoon is drawn to the area of the entire quilt, it will not break. so that it is better suited for making manually pulled silk quilts.

Tussah silk is used to make the majority of machine-made silk wadding quilts because its fiber is short and has poorer elasticity and toughness.

Different Touch Hand Feelings

Silk can be a good solution to this problem. Its high-quality microfiber determines its supple nature, and fiber distribution is in order. If the quilt’s core agglomerates quickly, the quilts with agglomerated hard lumps are undoubtedly uncomfortable and heatproof. When touched with the hands, it feels silky and lump-free.

Tussah silk feels dry, and coarse, and the fibers are dispersed unevenly.

What is Tussah Silk?

Instead of mulberry leaves, some silkworm species that produce tussah silk eat oak leaves and other leaves high in tannin. Tussah silk’s distinctive pale gold color is a result of the tannin in the leaves.

Tussah silk has oval-shaped rather than round filaments that are much thicker and stronger than regular silk. Tussah silk cloth has a rougher hand than regular silk because the initial threads aren’t as fine, and it frequently has a slightly slubby appearance.

Tussah silkworms are much more able to survive in the wild than their delicate mulberry-fed cousins. Although the majority of tussah silk comes from farmed silkworms, the term “wild silk” is occasionally used to refer to it because of the rougher texture of the silk and the small number of wild populations of tussah silkworms that are harvested for silk.

What is Mulberry Silk?

Mulberry silk comes from the Morus Alba tree and was made well-known in China thousands of years ago for its opulent quality. This material, which is well known for its buttery feel and benefits for your hair, is used all over the world for everything from high-fashion clothing to silk pillowcases and bed sheets.

Mulberry silk is renowned for its exceptional softness as well; its silk thread is strong, smooth, and consistently colored, making it a top choice for those seeking an opulent sleeping experience.

Conclusion: Tussah Silk vs Mulberry Silk

In conclusion, while tussah silk can still be considered an advanced textile, it is inferior when made into silk quilts.

Tussah silk has a slightly brownish color and is more durable than mulberry silk. Due to its uneven natural coloring and heavy basting, the thicker, shorter thread is also less fine and more uneven.

Around 90% of the silk produced worldwide is mulberry silk, which is also the most popular silk in the world. Being produced by the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori, it is thought to be the highest quality silk, which is why it is so well-liked.

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