Jute is another Merida material with a fascinating international story. Jute has been harvested for hundreds of years and is even mentioned in Abul Fazal’s work as scholar and mentor to the Mughal emperor, Akbar. The Mughals were the powerful Muslim empire that built the Taj Mahal and other beautiful tombs and palaces in Northern India.
The Taj Mahal in Agra, India
Jute grows well in southern Asia because it needs a great deal of water to grow, and many countries in this region have a monsoon season which is ideal for the jute crop. Jute can also grow well in river banks. 
When jute is harvested it can be hand woven or mechanically woven to create clothing, bags, furniture, and rugs. The woven material is commonly known as burlap. It is durable, fairly soft and is completely biodegradable. Furthermore, Merida’s jute rugs are left their natural color, which makes them even more eco-friendly (and beautiful!).
I was further intrigued when I read that the leaves of the jute plant are eaten in many different countries around the world. The Yoruba people of West Africa use jute in many of their dishes, and jute leaf is used in one of Egypt’s “signature dishes”. Jute leaves, though tricky to find, are sold in the United States as well. 
I looked up recipes that use jute leaves, and it seems that they are as versatile as spinach leaves- they can be steamed, stir fried, or used in stews, soups, and more. Jute leaves are also packed with anti-oxidants and are becoming popular in the U.S. because of their health benefits. However, since jute has so many different names in so many different cultures, it can be hard to find unless you know exactly what you’re looking for. The best way to find it is to go to an Asian specialty market. But, no worries, eco-friendly jute rugs are much easier to find – just head to the “shop” section of the MeridaHome website!