Burlap is a rough, strong fabric woven from thick plant fibers, most often from jute plants grown in places like India and Bangladesh. The fabric has a coarse, scratchy texture with visible gaps between its loose threads, making it look almost like a net compared to smooth cotton cloth.

For centuries, burlap has been the go-to material for making sturdy sacks that can hold heavy loads like potatoes, coffee beans, rice, or grain. You've probably seen burlap coffee sacks at a grocery store or farmers market, with their rough tan surface and distinctive woven pattern. The fabric is tough enough to protect goods during shipping but breathable enough to help keep contents from getting moldy.

Today people also use burlap for decorating, since its rustic texture adds character to banners, wreaths, or table runners. Gardeners sometimes wrap tree roots in burlap when transplanting them.

The fabric is also called hessian in Britain and other countries, named after the German region of Hesse, where it was once produced.