Cashmere is a luxurious fabric that has been prized for its softness, warmth and beauty for centuries. But have you ever wondered where it comes from? Let’s look at some of the countries where cashmere originates from, as well as why it is so sought-after.
Cashmere is a type of wool that comes from two types of goats: Kashmiri goathair, also known as Capra hircus laniger, which lives mainly in the Himalayan mountains; and pashmina goats, which inhabit the Tibetan Plateau. To get the sought-after fibers used to make cashmere garments, the goats are combed by hand during their seasonal shedding periods. This process can be quite laborious and time consuming; however, it results in an incredibly soft and durable material.
In terms of production, Mongolia may very well be considered the birthplace of cashmere. Here, Mongolian herders have been producing high-quality wool since ancient times—which is then sent to places like China or Europe for further processing. Meanwhile, Tibet also produces some fine quality cashmere due to its harsh climates and high altitudes; in fact, most Chinese factories rely on Tibet for their raw materials. Nepal is another big producer of cashmere—in fact it accounts for roughly 25% of all global production—while India is rapidly becoming an important player in the industry as well.
But why do people love cashmere so much? A major factor behind its popularity is certainly its incredible warmth retention: thanks to its hollow fibers, air gets trapped within them—keeping you snug even during winters! Plus, being relatively lightweight means that you don’t feel weighed down when wearing garments made out of this material—making it great if you’re always on-the-go or travelling a lot! Lastly, its strength means that your favourite pieces can stay beautiful over time without tearing or losing shape easily—allowing them to last longer than other fabrics would normally do under similar conditions.
So there you have it: next time someone asks you “where does cashmere come from?”, now you know! And with all these incredible benefits mentioned above in mind, perhaps it’s time to get yourself one (or two!) luxurious piece made out of this exquisite fabric.