Turkish cotton is a long-staple cotton cultivated in Turkey, most famously in the Aegean region. The longer fibers produce yarns that are smoother and stronger than those from short-staple varieties, with less pilling over time. The term refers to the origin and type of fiber; it is not a certification or a regulated grade.
The fiber's best-known use is the peshtemal, the flat-woven towel of Turkish bath culture, valued for absorbing well while drying faster than thick terry cloth. The same properties made Turkish-cotton towels popular as beach and travel towels. When evaluating any product labeled '100% Turkish cotton,' weave type, fabric weight in grams per square meter, and finishing matter as much as the fiber's origin.