Brazil provided the world with the rubber tree, hevea brasiliensis. In 1876 the British government exported seedlings to London for further development. From there seedlings were exported to Sri Lanka and Indonesia where they thrived and the tapping technique was discovered. Over the next several decades the British in Sri Lanka and the Dutch in Indonesia cleared vast amounts of rain forest to create the rubber tree plantations of today. To learn more about latex in general, please visit Wikipedia

What is the difference between Talalay latex and Dunlop processed latex?

The Talalay process is a highly controlled, sophisticated latex manufacturing process that produces the highest quality, most consistent latex available in the world. The Dunlop process is the most commonly used production method globally. It creates a firmer product that is most often used as a base core component.

The major difference between the two processes is what happens in the mold just prior to the initial latex curing stage. In the Talalay process, only a small amount of latex compound is poured into the mold. Air is extracted to perfectly distribute the foamed liquid inside the mold and to create a consistent round, open cell structure. The mattress core is flash frozen to lock the cell structure in place and to prevent the particles from settling.

In the Dunlop process, the molds are filled to the rim, air is not extracted, and there is no freeze stage. Therefore, the latex cell structure is less "airy". This process produces a heavier product. gravity takes over settling the particles to create a more dense product than than the talalay process. Talalay latex is available in a much wider firmness range so it can provide enhanced comfort choice for consumers around the the globe.