🐐 Goat

The goat is one of the first domesticated animals and an important source of milk in dry and mountainous areas. According to the FAO, goats provide about 2% of the world’s milk, but in some countries their role is much greater: in sub-Saharan Africa they account for about 9% of milk output. The largest producers are India, Sudan and Pakistan.

Yields vary widely: national averages range from a few dozen to almost two hundred kilograms of milk a year, and specialised European breeds give much more. Goats have a flatter lactation curve than cows, so their yield stays more even. A goat is easy to keep on a small homestead, which is why it is often called “the poor man’s cow”.

The fat globules in goat’s milk are on average smaller than in cow’s milk, and the taste depends on feed and care. Goat’s milk is used to make soft and aged cheeses (such as French chèvre), brynza and fermented milk drinks.