Kosher Jewish Foods

Foods are considered kosher by their preparation and combination with other foods.

The rules of what does and does not constitute food as kosher according to Jewish guidelines can be confusing. While some foods are never considered kosher, others are kosher until they are combined in a dish with another food. Many delis, grocery stores and restaurants feature a certified kosher stamp on products and menu items, so you can be sure their food is kosher.

Kosher Meats

Some meat, including pig, horse and shellfish, are not kosher at all. Meat from other animals, including cow, sheep, goat, deer, chicken, turkey and most fish, are considered kosher if certain guidelines are followed. This holds true for the flesh as well as the organ meat and milk of the animals. For the meat to be considered kosher, the animal must be slaughtered in accordance with Shechitah law, which is considered the most humane way of killing an animal. An animal that dies of natural causes is not considered kosher. In preparation, the blood must be drained from the meat before consumption, either by broiling, soaking or salting the meat.

Kosher Produce

Fruits and vegetables are all considered kosher. However, bugs and worms are not kosher, and produce must be carefully inspected before pronounced kosher. Special care must be taken with greens like lettuce because it's easy for bugs to hid in the leaves. Grapes are also a point of concern because rules state that wine and grape products must be made by Jews to be considered kosher. Therefore, some wines and grape fruit juices are not considered kosher.

Food Separation

According to the Torah, it is not considered kosher to "boil a kid in its mother's milk," meaning that dairy and meat should not be eaten together at the same meal. For example, a pepperoni pizza or a cheeseburger, while made up of kosher foods, would not be considered kosher because of the mix of dairy and meat. However, fish and dairy may be combined, as can dairy and eggs.

Misconceptions

Most kosher foods are identified with a certified kosher stamp, usually with the Hebrew letter "heksher." This means that the food is kosher in regards to Hebrew law. However, it does not mean that the food has been blessed by a rabbi or otherwise. Food is not made kosher by a blessing, although many Jews choose to say a blessing before eating. And even if a food is certified kosher, mixing in with another may eradicate that and make a non-kosher dish.

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