the World of Turkish Cotton: Experience Luxury with Turkish Towels

Learn More about Turkish Cotton

Turkish cotton is world-renowned for its exceptional quality in the sphere of luxury textiles. It is celebrated for its long staple (long fibers), which makes it soft, absorbent, and durable. 

The longer the fiber is, the fewer connections are needed which means the softer the fabric will be.

Turkish cotton textiles, including towels, robes, linens, and more, offer a luxurious experience, making them highly sought after by those who appreciate comfort and quality.

Origins and Cultivation

The story of Turkish cotton begins with its origins in the fertile lands along the Aegean region of the Turkish coast. 

This region’s unique climate and soil conditions provide the perfect environment for growing cotton with long, fine fibers. Turkish cotton farmers have perfected cultivation techniques over generations, ensuring the highest quality harvests. 

Hand-picking the cotton allows for the selection of only the finest fibers, resulting in textiles that are incredibly soft and luxurious.

Turkish Cotton vs Egyptian Cotton

The debate between Turkish cotton and Egyptian cotton often arises when discussing luxury textiles. While both are premium varieties of cotton, they have distinct differences.

Turkish cotton is known for its long filament fibers, especially compared to cotton from other countries including Egypt, which results in a softer and more absorbent fabric.

It is light enough that it can absorb 7x its weight in water but also will dry quickly.

Similar to Turkish cotton, Egyptian cotton fibers are celebrated for their long staples though Turkish cotton is still a superior quality.

When comparing towels and bath linens especially, Turkish cotton’s superior absorbency, softness, and quickness of drying make it a popular choice for those seeking a luxurious and indulgent experience.

Organic vs. Non-Organic Cotton

Regarding cotton towels, the choice between organic and non-organic options is an important consideration as well. 

Organic cotton is grown without the use of chemicals, making it a more environmentally friendly and sustainable choice. It also means that they are gentle on the skin and suitable for those with sensitivities. 

On the other hand, non-organic cotton towels may have been treated with chemicals during the growing and manufacturing process. 

According to the Textile Exchange, while organic cotton still needs a lot of water, the majority of that water comes from rainfall instead of surface water or groundwater.

Because there are no chemicals involved, it doesn’t contaminate the water table, soil, or the people who are hand-picking the cotton either.

In addition to being better for the environment and nicer on your skin, organic cotton products simply last longer and better.

Organic cotton absorbs water quickly and releases it quickly.

Non-organic cotton, however, can neither absorb water properly nor release it quickly because of the chemicals used in growing it but also in treating it post-production.

This leads them to start smelling musty and become hard within a year or so whereas organic cotton-made towels get softer with use. 

Unique Weaving Techniques

One of the hallmarks of Turkish towels is the use of the unique Ottoman-invented weaving techniques that have been refined over centuries.

What are Peştamels (Turkish Towels)?

These have been a staple of the Ottoman hammam culture for centuries where bathers would use the pestamel to cover themselves, sit on, and dry off after bathing. 

Because of its flat-woven construction, an organic cotton hand-woven pestamel is perfectly suited for the humid hammam environment, allowing for absorbing water easily and drying off quickly. 

The hammam itself remains a quintessential element of Turkish culture, embodying cleansing, relaxation, and socialization although unfortunately, all hammams use non-organic cotton-made pestamels.

This means they will won’t absorb water properly nor will they dry quickly. You would do better to take your own that you purchase from Jennifer’s Hamam when you go to the hammam.

These towels also often feature intricate patterns and designs, making them not only functional but also stylish and attractive.

While these special towels have been used for centuries in hammams, they also continue to be used even today and often in many other ways like at home, as beach towels, or even as a cover on furniture.

Their versatility and comfort have made them an indispensable part of the traditional Turkish bathing experience while also adding a touch of luxury and cultural heritage to everyday use.

People around the world have come to appreciate their unique blend of functionality and luxury but it if isn’t organic, that magic will soon fade.

But read on to learn about my favorite brand, Jennifer’s Hamam, which stands above the rest with its hand-made 100% organic Turkish cotton products.

The Benefits of Turkish Towels

These towels are revered for their softness, akin to wrapping oneself in a cloud. Beyond comfort, they are highly absorbent, effortlessly drying the skin with a gentle touch. They can soak up multiple times their weight in water.

You have to be careful with the nonorganic towels, however, as after time they will lose some of their absorbency and will not dry as quickly.

They are also incredibly compact and lightweight (unless you get a thick-looped towel) which makes them great for travel. 

But what truly sets them apart is their durability; Turkish towels become softer and more luxurious with each wash, and when cared for properly, promise years of use.

Even greater still is the Turkish towel that is hand-made with organic Turkish cotton. They will last for decades when treated properly! When I met Jennifer, the owner, I knew I was in for a treat.

Jennifer’s Hamam: The Best Turkish Towels…ever

At Jennifer’s Hamam, the legacy of Turkish textiles is honored with their commitment to excellence. Whether Jennifer is with her weavers in the village or her employees in the store, everything she does is done with the goal of excellence. 

This company was founded on the principles of traditional craftsmanship and offers a range of luxurious Turkish cotton products that embody comfort and sophistication. 

Sustainability is woven into their ethos. Using GOTS-certified organic cotton and eco-conscious practices, Jennifer’s Hamam proves that luxury can align with responsibility.

Each towel reflects their dedication to ethical production, environmental stewardship, and the creation of everyday indulgence. Each product is a testament to the brand’s dedication to quality and authenticity.

Legacy of Excellence in Turkish Textiles

Jennifer is a high-energy, Canadian woman who moved to Turkey about 18 years ago and started a cafe/art gallery. Later she sold it and started Jennifer’s Hamam. She didn’t set out to start this business, it found her.

She discovered a shocking truth: the art of weaving these special towels was on the verge of disappearing forever. She knew she had to act quickly so instead of trying to just support the few remaining weavers, she embarked on a mission to save the craft itself. 

Beyond saving this tradition, they also offer a legacy of excellence in Turkish textiles with unparalleled quality and ethical production processes. 

Their cotton towels are woven from 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton, and last 2-6 times longer than conventional towels depending on which ones you get. 

Jennifer has even heard from some Turkish clients who have towels that are more than 70 years old. Talk about durability. 

Commitment to Traditional Craftsmanship

This dedication to quality extends beyond materials. Jennifer is fiercely committed to traditional craftsmanship. 

She has not only saved looms from destruction, including a 3-meter loom she didn’t believe existed but is also working on a remarkable project, a weaving school. 

This school will empower artisans, fostering a culture of quality where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities, not reasons for punishment. 

By preserving these age-old techniques and nurturing the next generation of weavers, Jennifer’s Hamam ensures the enduring legacy of Turkish textiles.

Whether you choose cotton, linen, or a blend, it will outlast anything else on the market.

Commitment to Sustainability

Beyond luxury, Jennifer’s Hamam is dedicated to sustainability.

As I listened to Jennifer describe the business, her employees, and how she does business it was clear to me that this woman was different as was how she did business.

They lead the way in creating luxury towels with a conscience by sourcing ethically grown organic Turkish cotton and implementing green initiatives in production.

This company cares not only about its products but also about the sustainability of its employees and the world from which they get their materials. 

They will teach you how to care for your products so that you can get the longest life out of the product possible by caring for them appropriately. 

Jennifer’s Hamam’s Products

Thick-Looped Towels

These are the best towels that I mentioned at the beginning of this article. They are thick and luxurious! Unlike factory-made imitations, their thick-looped towels are woven using a centuries-old Turkish looping technique that the Ottomans invented. 

This traditional method is achievable only on old-style-shuttled looms and results in a quality and durability that cannot be compared.

This is also the only company in the world that uses this method. So when you buy one of these towels you are truly getting a one-of-a-kind product. These are perfect for the person who is looking for a luxurious, spa-like experience at home. 

Peştamel (Peştemals/Peshtamal)

When we got to the showroom to see the options I was in awe. There were so many to choose from. The weight, complexity of design, and softness all impact the price, allowing you to find something in your budget.

These towels are quite versatile and can be used in more ways than simply in your bathroom. They can be cut up and sewn together to make other products as well. 

In fact, any imperfect peştamal is saved and made into “crazy” robes for kids. They are so fun and a great gift. It is also a great way to make sure that the waste is as low as possible.

They also have smaller versions of this flat-woven towel called a peşkir. They are great for wrapping up your hair after a shower/hamam, as tea towels in your kitchen, or hand towels for your bathroom.

I grabbed two regular towels and two peskirs on my last trip and love using the red one in my kitchen, more than any other towel I own.

Turkish Cotton robes

One of my favorite things about Jennifer’s Hamam robes is that they can be custom-made.

While in the showroom, she showed us how they can take multiple peştamels and create a custom robe. Typically an adult needs a minimum of 2 peştamels but usually 3 and depending on the size of the person it could be up to 5 peştamels. 

What’s more, you get to pick which peştamal you want to use for it. You can use two different ones or have it all the same. 

In less than 2 days you have a custom robe made from 100% organic Turkish cotton that will last for years to come.

Bedding and Linens

They have a variety of bed linens, throws, bed covers, and thick-looped blankets that will make you sleep like a baby. As with everything else, these are made from 100% Organic Turkish Cotton and have incredible durability. 

The throws are essentially large peştamal and because they are sand resistant, they make a great beach or picnic blanket if you don’t want to use them just in the home. 

They have a couple of sizes, one of which is a massive one for a king bed. There is no one else in the world who can loom this large of a blanket and requires the special 3-meter loom that she saved.

How to purchase Jennifer’s Hamam’s products

In today’s digital world, online shopping reigns supreme. However, for Jennifer’s Hamam, a traditional online store wouldn’t suffice. The textile industry is rife with imitations, and protecting their unique designs is of the utmost importance. 

To combat their designs being copied, even wholesalers must white-label their products, ensuring authenticity and safeguarding the brand’s integrity.

Online: Convenient Shopping for Quality

During the pandemic when the stores had to be shut down, Jennifer’s Hamam did a brilliant pivot. They introduced the virtual tour. 

When I recently purchased some towels but didn’t have time to go over to the European side, I did a virtual tour from my home in Kadıköy and it was so much easier than I thought it was going to be. I mean it wasn’t the same thing as being there in person but it was a great experience.

I met with Haci, one of their faithful employees, and we walked through the shop looking at different patterns. 

It was great because I got to see live what it looked like. They opened up the towels so I could see how big it was in relation to a person.

I was a bit skeptical of the process but I actually liked it better than just seeing a photo because it really helped give the product context.

Flagship Brick & Mortar Store

They also have the original shop in the Arasta Bazaar in Sultanahmet in Istanbul. Here in the shop, there are quite a few selections. But also just a 10-minute walk away is their 3-floor showroom with even more options!

Their kind staff speak both English and Turkish and are professional. I have really enjoyed working with them. 

Wholesale opportunities

After seeing the quality of these products if you’re wondering about wholesale opportunities, it is possible!

As I mentioned before there are certain rules in the process but only to help you both. She is also committed to you as a wholesaler and will never try to undercut you in the States.

Yet another testament to her integrity as a person and a business owner.

You can talk with Jennifer yourself about the process but fill out an inquiry form at the bottom of this page. 

Alternatives to Jennifer’s Hamam

I don’t recommend anything other than Jennifer’s Hamam. If you’re in the States and you can’t get here I recommend you do a virtual tour. The best option is to stop in while you’re here, however. You will get the best prices this way.

Of course, you can search for peshtamels on Amazon and find a million options. While they may seem similar in quality, what sets Jennifer’s Hamam apart is that every product is hand-woven by Turkish artisans and is truly organic cotton.

The towels you will find on Amazon or other shops will be factory-made and most likely not organic.

Another option is to do a virtual tour and have a friend who is headed to Turkey pick them up for you. Win-win.

FAQs for Turkish Towels

Embrace the Luxury of Turkish Cotton with Jennifer’s Hamam

Through this exploration of Turkish Cotton bath towels, I have shown you more than just fabric. You have now discovered a story woven with tradition, craftsmanship, and sustainability.

These towels have exceptional softness and absorbency as well as deep roots in Turkish culture. They are a testament to timeless quality and luxury.

But at the heart of this tale is Jennifer’s Hamam—a shop born from a passion to preserve a dying art form and breathe life into centuries-old weaving traditions.

This shop is more than a seller of fine textiles. It’s a guardian of heritage, reviving Ottoman-era techniques and working to support a new generation of artisans through their weaving school.

Their restored looms and master weavers ensure that this artistry endures, connecting the past to the present with every towel they produce.

When you choose Jennifer’s Hamam, you’re not just investing in a towel. You’re supporting a legacy, preserving a craft, and embracing a philosophy that values quality over compromise.

Ready to experience the ultimate in Turkish Cotton luxury? Next time you’re in Istanbul drop in or book your Virtual Tour now. Let them know I sent you!