Kosher” comes from Hebrew and means something like “pure” or “suitable”. What is kosher and what is not kosher is determined by the Jewish dietary laws (Hebrew “Kashrut”) and is based on the Torah. For kosher food, on the one hand, only certain foods and drinks are permitted – all other foods and drinks are referred to as “trefe”. On the other hand, the dietary regulations regulate the preparation and combination of different foods. The Jewish dietary laws divide foods into three categories:
- meaty = meat ( products ) , but only certain animals are allowed for consumption
- milky = milk ( products)
- parve (neutral) = neither fleshy nor milky
Kosher food: These foods are allowed
There are corresponding certifications for purchased foodstuffs, also known as “Hechsharim”. In Israel and the USA, these can be found either as a seal directly on the packaging or as a notice in the shops. In some countries, including Germany, there are official lists for kosher foodstuffs . The kosher list from the Orthodox Rabbinical Conference of Germany (ORD) also provides information on who the certificate comes from.
The certificates are issued by rabbinical agencies. There are various providers of kosher certifications that work independently and compete with each other. Any manufacturer or company involved in a food chain can apply for such a seal. There are no state controls. There are only particularly strict regulations for food that is exported to Israel.
The following foods are considered permitted:
Meat and fish
Religious Jews are only allowed to eat meat from ruminant even-toed ungulates such as cows, sheep and goats. Pork or horse meat is not allowed – nor is the meat of birds of prey and scavengers. According to kosher dietary laws, it is also possible to eat domesticated poultry such as chicken, geese, ducks, turkey, pigeons and quail. Fish must have both fins and scales. Eels, catfish, sturgeon and swordfish are forbidden, as is seafood, which includes limpets, lobsters, squid and mussels.
Neutral foods
Vegetables, fruits , nuts, seeds and grains are considered neutral (parve) and kosher. The same applies to products made from these foods, such as flour . Fish and eggs from kosher animals are also considered neutral foods. However, some interpretations of Jewish dietary laws do not allow the combination of fish and meat.
Is kosher food healthier?
Many Jews eat kosher food for religious reasons. However, this diet is also becoming increasingly popular among people of non-Jewish faith. Many people associate kosher with healthy eating. On the one hand, processed kosher foods are more strictly monitored. On the other hand, because it is generally considered healthy to avoid pork. But that does not mean that Kosher is always healthier. Even according to kosher rules, it depends on what is on the table. Because lemonade, sweets, and processed meat are still kosher – but not healthy.
For a balanced diet, Jewish-Sephardic cuisine is recommended. Here, Mediterranean dishes such as hummus, fish and certain fruits are mainly served. And what is of course always healthy and kosher is raw vegetables and fruit, which can also be combined in a kosher way and in many different ways.