Difference Between Mulberry Silk and Tussah Silk Sheets

Last updated: August 27, 2026 · By: Austin Cole

City life can test your skin and sleep. If you are researching silk sheets, you have probably seen two labels side by side: mulberry silk and tussah silk. Both call themselves silk, but the difference between mulberry silk and tussah silk sheets is not cosmetic. It changes how the fabric feels against your skin and how well it holds up night after night.

The short version: mulberry silk comes from domesticated Bombyx mori silkworms fed only mulberry leaves, producing long, uniform, naturally white fibers. Tussah silk comes from wild Antheraea silkworms that eat oak and other leaves, producing shorter, coarser, tan-colored fibers. If a sheet set is going to touch your face for hours, that difference matters.

What Are Mulberry Silk and Tussah Silk, Exactly?

Let's get technical for a moment, because the labeling confusion starts with biology. Mulberry silk is produced by Bombyx mori, a silkworm domesticated over 5,000 years ago. These worms are raised indoors on a controlled diet of fresh mulberry leaves, which is why the silk is called mulberry. The controlled diet yields a cocoon made from a single filament that can be up to 1,000 meters long. When reeled, those long filaments create a smooth, continuous yarn with very few breaks or slubs. That continuity is what gives mulberry silk its signature glide and sheen.

Tussah silk, by contrast, comes from wild or semi-wild Antheraea moths found across China, India, and Japan. These silkworms feed on oak, juniper, and other wild vegetation. Because their diet is inconsistent, the cocoons are coarser, and the filament is shorter and less uniform. Tussah silk is naturally tan or beige, not white, and it has a more textured, raw hand feel. Some brands market this as rustic charm, but for bedding that sits against your face and hair, coarser fibers can mean more friction and less of the smoothness you bought silk for. Our 3rd Gen silk bedding process uses only long-fiber 6A mulberry silk for exactly this reason.

The 5 Differences That Decide Your Sleep Quality

When you compare mulberry and tussah silk sheets side by side, five differences consistently reshape your nightly experience:

• Fiber length and uniformity. Mulberry silk fibers are long and continuous; tussah fibers are shorter and irregular. Longer fibers make a smoother, stronger yarn that resists pilling and fraying.
• Softness and friction. Mulberry silk glides against skin and hair with minimal friction, which may help reduce sleep creases and hair breakage. Tussah silk feels more like a cotton-linen blend—noticeably less slippery.
• Color and dyeability. Mulberry silk is naturally white, so it takes dye evenly and holds deep, clean colors like our champagne, dusk, and grey. Tussah's natural tan base makes pastels and bright whites difficult to achieve without heavy bleaching or chemical processing.
• Hypoallergenic and clean feel. A smoother, denser surface leaves fewer places for dust and moisture to collect. Tussah's coarser surface can feel less clean for sensitive sleepers.
• Durability at weight. Because mulberry fibers are long, even a 23-momme weave feels substantial yet breathable. Tussah often relies on heavier weights to compensate for shorter fibers, while 23-momme 6A mulberry balances strength and comfort.

Here's a quick side-by-side:

Notice how the two fibers diverge on the one thing you actually feel: friction. A 23mm 6A+ Mulberry Silk Bedding collection uses long-fiber 6A grade silk because grade, not just species, influences how smooth the sheets feel and how well they hold up.

Why Tussah Silk Is Often Marketed as 'Silk' (and How to Spot It)

Here's the uncomfortable truth: if a product label only says silk or 100% silk without specifying mulberry, it may be tussah. Because tussah costs less to produce—wild silkworms don't require indoor farms or controlled feeding—it often shows up in products that want to borrow silk's luxury reputation without the fiber quality. You might see phrases like natural silk, wild silk, or peace silk (a separate ethical category, but sometimes conflated).

How to spot tussah before you buy:

• Check the species: The label should say mulberry silk or Bombyx mori. If it only says silk, ask.
• Look at the color range: Tussah-silk sheets often come in earthy beiges and golds because the natural tan limits dyeing. Mulberry silk offers clean whites and a full spectrum.
• Feel the price logic: Tussah is usually significantly lower priced. That's not a bargain if you're paying for smoothness you won't get. Promeed keeps mulberry silk pricing honest—luxury-tier quality without the brand markup—so you don't have to compromise species to fit a monthly budget.
• Check momme and grade: A real mulberry sheet should state momme (ideally 23) and grade (6A). If the listing avoids both, it's probably not long-fiber mulberry. Our 23mm 6A+ flat sheet set specifies both on every label.

This is the decision-fatigue trap many city shoppers fall into: dozens of satin and silk listings that blur the line between polyester satin, tussah, and true mulberry. Our rule is simple—if the fiber isn't specified as 100% mulberry silk with a momme weight, you can't verify what's touching your face.

Why Mulberry Silk Sheets Win for City Skin, Hair, and Sleep

Your bedroom should be a sanctuary from the city's pollution, stress, and over-air-conditioned heat. Mulberry silk sheets earn that role in three ways that tussah can't reliably match.

Less friction for skin and hair. The smooth, continuous surface of 6A mulberry silk reduces friction against your face and hair. Friction is a common contributor to sleep creases and hair breakage; lower-friction fabrics may help reduce that tug. Our 23-momme mulberry silk flat sheet set is designed to let your skin glide, not tug.

Thermal regulation for hot urban apartments. City heat islands and radiator-controlled buildings make temperature swings a nightly problem. Mulberry silk's protein fiber is naturally breathable and helps regulate temperature, keeping you cooler on warm nights and comfortable when temperatures drop. Tussah's coarser, less uniform weave can trap more humidity and feel clammy.

Hypoallergenic peace of mind. If you already filter your water and check skincare labels for allergens, your sheets should pass the same test. Our 23-momme mulberry silk sets are OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified, which means they are tested for harmful substances and meet strict safety criteria.

How to Choose a Real 23-Momme 6A Mulberry Silk Sheet Set

Once you're convinced mulberry is the right fiber, the next filter is construction. Not all mulberry silk sheets are equal: momme weight and grade matter more than species alone.

• Choose 23 momme. Many silk pillowcases use 19 momme; heavier sheets like 23 momme feel more substantial. 23 momme gives enough density for durability without feeling heavy or hot. Lower momme mulberry sheets can feel thin and may not wear as evenly.
• Insist on 6A grade. Grade A through 6A refers to fiber length, purity, and luster. 6A represents the longest, most uniform fibers—the top quality tier in the mulberry grading system. Lower grades may still be mulberry, but with more slubs and breaks.
• Check sizes in US measurements first. Our 23mm 6A+ fitted sheet set covers Twin XL, Queen, King, and California King with deep pockets up to 18 inches. The corresponding flat sheet set offers the same sizing in a 4-piece configuration.
• Look for a full set. A 4-piece flat sheet set includes a flat sheet, fitted sheet, and two pillowcases, so your face, body, and hair all get the same low-friction surface. Mixing a mulberry pillowcase with tussah sheets defeats the purpose.

Making the Investment Work: Cost-Per-Use and Care

Silk sheets are an investment, and in a high-cost city every purchase has to earn its place. The smart-luxury math is cost-per-use: a 23-momme 6A mulberry sheet set spreads its cost over years of use, especially when compared with replacing thinner sets more often. Tussah sheets may be more accessible initially, but shorter fibers can break down faster and lose their smoothness. We'd rather sell you one set that performs well for years than three sets that underperform from the start.

Caring for your mulberry silk is simpler than you might think:

• Wash on a gentle cycle in cold water with a pH-neutral silk detergent.
• Line dry or tumble dry on low; never use high heat or fabric softener.
• Store away from direct sunlight to preserve the fiber's natural sheen.

We standardized on 23-momme 6A construction because that weight balances smoothness, durability, and breathability without feeling heavy. For a complete bedroom refresh, explore our silk bedding edit to pair sheets with pillowcases and duvet covers in the same 23-momme grade.

Conclusion: Mulberry Is the Fiber You Feel Every Morning

The difference between mulberry silk and tussah silk sheets comes down to biology that you can feel: long, white, uniform fibers from domesticated silkworms versus shorter, coarser, tan fibers from wild ones. For smoother mornings and less friction on hair, plus a bedroom that stays comfortable through every city season, mulberry is the fiber worth your money—and 23-momme 6A is the grade that makes it last.

Ready to reset your sleep ritual? Shop the 23mm 6A+ 100% Mulberry Silk Flat Sheets Set 4pcs in your US size today, and let your bed become the urban sanctuary it should be.

References

These sources are included to support the article's material, textile, safety, standards, or claim-verification context.

• FTC textile and wool labeling guidance
• FTC health claims advertising guidance
• OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 information