Kapok: the Silky Fiber
Kapok is one of the natural alternatives to the standard stuffing material featured in our products. Also known as silk- or java-cotton, Kapok refers to a type of tropical tree and the fibers harvested from the seedpod of its fruit. Found in the rainforests of Southeast Asia, a fully grown kapok tree can easily yield up to 15 kilograms of fiber each year.
During harvesting, the unopened ripe pods are either knocked down or cut off the tree. The fruits are cut open, and hundreds of seeds and fibers are segregated by hand.
The result is a biodegradable, hypoallergenic material perfect for pillow stuffing.
Kapok is softer and silkier than traditional cotton because of the waxy coating on its fibers. It's also 8 times lighter. The material is distinguished by its buoyant, moisture-resistant, and resilient qualities. This makes it the ideal alternative material to down and feather pillows. Unlike those pillows, a kapok pillow bounces back into shape, doesn't get uncomfortably warm, and easily adjusts to the shape of the person lying on it.
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