Kosher Foods
Foods Prepared in the Jewish Tradition
You may have heard of the term kosher food, but you may not know exactly what it means. To put it simply, foods that are considered kosher are those that have been properly created under the Jewish dietary instructions. Most types of food, if has been properly prepared using these instructions, can be deemed kosher.
But, you should be aware that not all food labeled as being Jewish are actually also kosher. You should also be aware that kosher doesn't necessarily have to refer to only food. Anything created under the legal Jewish instructions can be called kosher.
Jewish religion states that any mammals that chew cud and are cloven hoofed are kosher, including sheep, goats and deer. In the United States, certain birds, such as duck, turkey, goose, and chicken, are considered to be kosher.
Only seafood with fins and scales that can be easily removed is kosher. Fish with scales intact are usually what is purchased. In addition, in order for the machines and cutting instruments used to prepare seafood to be kosher, the fishmonger must be. Kosher equipment must be used in order for a food to be deemed kosher.
There are also rules when serving kosher foods. You cannot serve meat and fish together, just as you cannot serve meat and milk together. And, a rabbi must be present when any processed foods are being prepared.
Both meat and poultry can only be considered as kosher food if they have been slaughtered under stern guidelines referred to as shechita, meaning that it is done with no suffering or pain to the animal. To slaughter these animals, only those who are qualified and have been trained can do so. After it has been done, experts must examine the meat to ensure the animal had no abnormalities, illnesses, or anything else that can be unsanitary. Its lungs have to be pure, and most of its fat and all of its blood have to be removed.
Those who only eat kosher foods must do so by using separate pans, pots, dishes, and utensils. One of the sets is used to meat and poultry. The other can be used when consuming everything else. In addition, each set must be separately washed, and also dried either with different towels or in a different rack.