Zomick's Bakery: What is Kosher Food?

Do you know what kosher food is? Surely you have heard at some point about this type of food but, do you know what it is? Well, if you still do not know, keep reading this article. I asked the experts from Zomick’s Bakery to explain what ‘kosher food’ exactly means.

Kosher food is all food that Jewish laws accept, while food outside these laws is called treif. Next I will show you what kosher foods are.

Kosher Food: What is it?

The word kosher is derived from the Hebrew term kashér, which means "in form". If a ‘kosher’ animal is not properly slaughtered with a ritual, if the animal is unclean, or if we mix the meat with milk, grape juice or wine is not prepared on a ‘kosher way’, this food is not considered ‘kosher’.

Pure Animals Considered Kosher

As specified by Zomick’s Bakery, kosher animals are those animals that are ruminants and have a split hoof, as well as all those animals that reside in the waters, as long as they have two fins and scales. Specifically, some species that are not considered kosher are distinguished, such as the hare, the camel, the pig and the Hyrax. Any animal that crawls on the ground is also considered impure.

Animal Products

Dairy products from kosher animals are also considered kosher and are allowed, explain experts from Zomick’s bakery. However, this milk must come from animals that are not sick. Human milk of any kind is prohibited, except direct drinking from the breast of a woman for a child under four years. In addition, cheese, which has not been previously certified, is prohibited.

As for gelatin, generic ones are not kosher. The gelatins from ovine bones are, as well as those made with fish (with two fins and scales). Generally, kosher gelatin contains a seal that indicates the approval of a rabbi. In addition, all vegetarian gelatins are considered kosher.

For the case of the egg there are several theories. While some consider it forbidden if the egg has blood, others believe that if the blood is removed before using the egg, then it can be eaten.

Kosher Food Preparation

Kosher food that has not been prepared by Jews is forbidden to Jews. This rule has some exceptions, but they are very few and in these the food prepared by a non-Jewish person must be supervised by a Jew.

As for the utensils, it is very important that each one have a single type of food and do not touch other types of food. For example, if a knife is used to cut meat, then it cannot be used to cut cheese, because it immediately ceases to be considered as a kosher utensil.

Experts from Zomick’s Bakery state that, in this conception is also prohibited the mixture of meats and dairy products of any kind.

All the vegetables are considered kosher. The word for the food from vegetable origin is parve.

For the case of the bread, the Jewish Challah Bread is usually parve. Zomick’s Challah Bread contains neither dairy nor meat, unlike brioche and other enriched European breads. More about Zomick's Challah Bread and how it is made, you can read on the following link: https://patch.com/new-york/fivetowns/zomicks-challah-traditional-bread-r....