What is kosher

Foods that must not be combined should have separate equipment and preparation areas. Pareve foods have the fewest restrictions, providing the producer prepares them according to kosher rules.

Examples of pareve foods are:. The only kosher mammals are those that are herbivores, chew their cud — known as ruminants, and have cloven hooves. The Torah lists 24 species of fowl that are forbidden by kosher law. All other birds are considered kosher. In the United States, the only poultry considered kosher are:. Kosher fish must have fins and scales, and seafood that does not meet those basic requirements is not kosher. Popular kosher fish include:. Although there has been some debate over which insects are kosher, most kashrut organizations agree that some species of locust are permitted.

Most Jews do not eat locusts, although in some Jewish communities, locusts are a traditional food. Passover, or Pesach, is an 8-day festival that takes place in early Spring. It celebrates the freeing of Israelites from Ancient Egypt. For people who wish to follow a kosher diet, there are special rules to follow during Passover. Although kosher rules permit most grains during Passover, they must not contain any yeast or have been in contact with moisture for longer than 18 minutes. Matzo, a type of unleavened flatbread, is not considered chametz and can be eaten throughout Passover.

Buying kosher food can present many challenges, as many foods go through complex stages of production. Each stage should conform to kosher laws by eliminating cross-contamination with non-permitted foods. Many Jewish people choose to eat a kosher diet as it helps them feel connected to their heritage, faith, and communities. Pickles are vegetables that people put in jars with brine. Fermented pickles can have a variety of health benefits, as they encourage the growth of…. Some types of fish can be a good source of high-quality protein and other nutrients.

Some of the best fish to eat include wild-caught salmon, mackerel,. Tilapia is a popular edible fish that is low in fat and a good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Tilapia farming occurs around the world, but….

What makes something kosher is that meat and milk products are not mixed together, animal products from non-kosher animals like pork, shellfish, and others are not included, and any meat from kosher animals is slaughtered in the correct procedure.

There are a number of other requirements that need to be met, both in the process of food preparation and who performs the process see the glossary below for some examples. Nowadays, because of the complexity of the kosher requirements and modes of food production, kosher certification is needed to check that all the criteria for kosher have been met leading to the misconception that the food needs to be "blessed by a rabbi".

Kosher level is indicated by a symbol printed on the package representing an agency's certification. There are hundreds of Kosher certification agencies in the U. Kosher food is not just for the religious- the vast majority of customers of kosher products buy it for other reasons- whether because they want gluten-free, halal, or just because kosher food is seen as high quality.

The majority of kosher food sales are not to kosher-observant Jewish consumers! Other religious denominations take advantage of overlapping dietary restrictions, like halal, or Christian sects like Seventh Day Adventists that avoid pork. Gluten-free and other special diets work well with Passover grain-free food items.

Contact an OK Kosher representative to guide you through every stage of the certification process. Companies Search for:. What is Kosher? What would you like to know about Kosher?

Kosher Basics - Meat, Dairy and Pareve Kosher foods are divided into three categories: meat, dairy and pareve. Read More.