Dried, singulated cellulose pulp fiber is produced by introducing wet pulp steam and air into a jet dryer. The air is heated to a temperature of 250.degree. C. to 600.degree. C. Steam is injected at a nozzle pressure of from 344 KPa (50 psig) to 4,137 KPa (600 psig). The pulp is removed from the jet dryer and separated from the air. The product formed has advantageous properties such as low fines count, improved kink curl and twist, and high permeability.