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Kosher means 'proper', referring to foods which are acceptable to
be eaten by those of the different faiths who practice and observe
certain dietary laws as prescribed in The Torah. A
growing number of people are buying kosher on a regular basis.
What follows, are some of the basic laws of what is and is not considered
to be kosher in the strictest sense of the term. We also have a kosher
dictionary for any unfamiliar words. This is only an overview.
ANIMALS
Only the meats of certain animals are kosher. These animals can be
identified as having split hooves and chewing their cud - animals
such as cows and sheep. However, all animals must be slaughtered in
a very specific ritualistic manner to be certified as kosher. Only
a trained professional called a "shochet" may perform the
slaughter.
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POULTRY & OTHER FOWL
This includes chicken, turkey, and a variety of other fowl. Poultry
and fowl are considered to be meat and thus prohibitions against mixing
dairy products with them apply. Again, only a trained professional
called a "shochet"
is permitted to perform the slaughter.
FISH
All fish with scales and fins are kosher - fish such as tuna, carp,
whitefish and salmon are kosher. All other seafood is not kosher such
as all shellfish; shrimp, lobster, clams, oysters, scallops, etc.
and crustaceans (crabs, crayfish/crawfish, etc.). Also, scavengers
"bottom-feeders" such as catfish & monkfish are not
kosher. NOTE: Kosher fish are not ritually killed.
FRUITS, VEGETABLES & GRAINS
Fruits, vegetables and grains are kosher. The one exception is
with special laws pertaining to grape products.
CHEESE
Although cheeses are dairy, some cheeses are not kosher if they are
made with animal-origin rennet from a non-kosher animal.
PARVE
Fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits and grain may be produced and manufactured
with either milk or meat products. Thus, oils such as vegetable oils
and shortenings may be used with both milk and meat products.
PREPARATION
It is forbidden to eat or cook milk and meat together. Therefore,
if any product includes both meat - even a kosher meat - and a dairy
product in its ingredients it can not be kosher. However, in today's
highly sophisticated world of food technology many PARVE substitutes
are available. It is also forbidden to use the same utensils that
were used for manufacturing a non-kosher product for making a kosher
product - unless the utensils or machinery are specially cleansed.
Again, this is just a basic overview of kosher foods. There is
much more! |
