Jonica goat

The Jonica goat is a native breed to Salento, which has grazed for centuries in the ancient Terra d’Otranto, which corresponds to the current provinces of Brindisi and Lecce in Taranto, where the flocks are a characteristic element of the landscape. This area consists of lands that are scorched in the summer heat and shepherds who accompany the sheep in the countryside among olive groves and dry stone walls in search of nourishment.
This breed most likely comes from a cross between specimens from a local population of the Ionian arc and animals from the Maltese breed. The particularly long and wide ears, that hang down for both the males and the females is a characteristic trait of the Maltese goat breed.
The Jonica is a medium to large size with a small and light head; its limbs are long and light with clear and solid nails. The white fleece can sometimes be slightly pink, with tawny speckles or spots on the head and neck. There is a tuft of matted hair on the highest part of the head of the males.
It is a very prolific breed, which is mainly used for milk. Fresh ricotta, ricotta forte, ricotta marzotica, in spring, cacioricotta in the summer months are produced and, the rest of the year, cheeses of various shapes and sizes are made which are either consumed fresh or aged and then grated.
The Jonica goat has played an important economic role for the families in Salento for many years, but the gradual disappearance of pastoralism in the Ionian arc has led to the abandonment of its herd which today is at serious risk of disappearance. There are in fact only a hundred heads remaining.