With the nights closing in and frosty weather approaching, you may be thinking about getting out your winter woollies. But when it comes to goats, it’s all about mohair and cashmere! These two natural fibres produced by goats are quite distinct from each other, but both can be used to create warm, luxurious garments.

Let’s start with cashmere. What is it and where does it come from? Most goats have a double coat. This consists of a protective hairy outer coat, and a shorter under coat which keeps them warm. The softer, finer under coat is known as cashmere. Some breeds produce more cashmere than others, and those that produce the most originate from the mountainous regions of central Asia. These goats may produce 250g to 500g of cashmere fibre a year (which is 5 to 10 times more than other goats). The cashmere is combed out from their coats when they moult in spring. The name ‘cashmere’ derives from Kashmir, one of the regions where cashmere has been used for thousands of years. Cashmere is an expensive fibre, and this is due to the complexity of the production process, the relatively small amounts produced by each goat, and its desirable qualities of softness and fineness which create a light but warm fabric.

What about mohair? Mohair comes from the curly-fleeced Angora goat. Mohair should not be confused with Angora wool, which comes from Angora rabbits. The Angora goat breed is also believed to have originated in mountainous central Asia, although it made its way to Turkey where it thrived. Angora goats have a single coat which is more similar to the fleece of a sheep. They are sheared twice a year and can produce fleeces weighing around 2kg to 3kg, or even up to 6kg. As the goats age, they produce a coarser grade of fibre. Mohair is a strong and lustrous fibre, sometimes known as the ‘diamond fibre’. It is not as fine as cashmere, but has smooth scales like wool, so it can repel dirt and bacteria (and associated smells!). It dyes up beautifully producing rich and radiant colours, and it is said the robes of biblical wisemen were made from it!

Angora goats were introduced to the UK in the 1980s and British mohair yarns, textiles and clothing are produced on a small-scale. Here at The Gourmet Goat Farmer we really rate our mohair socks, supplied by SeaLake Luxury Fibres from their pedigree herd of Angora goats in Yorkshire. Check out our Online Shop, or drop into The Larder, to see what we have available.