Jute is a tall plant grown mainly in India and Bangladesh that produces long, strong fibers used to make rope, burlap sacks, and other sturdy cloth. When you see those rough, tan sacks that coffee beans or potatoes come in, that scratchy material is probably jute.

The jute plant grows in hot, humid regions and can reach 12 feet tall. Farmers harvest it, soak the stalks in water for weeks to soften them, then strip away the long fibers that run through the plant's stem. These golden-brown fibers feel coarse and rough, nothing like smooth cotton, but they're incredibly strong and can handle heavy loads.

For centuries, jute was one of the world's most important materials for shipping and storing goods. Before plastic bags and cardboard boxes became common, people wrapped and transported almost everything in jute sacks. Even today, millions of tons of jute get produced each year because it's cheap, biodegradable, and tough enough to hold grain, sand, or cement without tearing. If you've ever carried a reusable shopping bag with that distinctive rough texture and earthy smell, you've probably handled jute.