The meat of the Yaez, an Israeli hybrid obtained by cross-breeding a male ibex (“yael” in Hebrew) with a female goat (“ez”) in Hebrew), is likely to become a new, high quality Israeli export item.
At a recent “taste test” conducted at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Faculty of Agriculture in Rehovot, at a barbecue held for some 300 guests including the members of the Hebrew University’s International Board of Governors, the consensus was that the meat will appeal to palates of both American and Eurpeans. More than 70 percent of those who tasted the yaez meat there preferred it to lamb. Both the yaez meat and the lamb were prepared by the Hilton Hotel chef under identical conditions, using the same spices and cooking ingredients.
Dr. Dan Ratner of Kibbutz Lahav, began to develop the yaez in 1971. The project aimed at developing a new breed of domestic animal which would provide a high quality meat. Raising of the yaez has been incorporated into the regular farm activities of Kibbutz Lahav. Last year, the kibbutz sold 4 tons of yaez meat, and this year expects to sell 7 tons.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.