Kosher food may be a staple in Jewish diets, but they are not the only ones eating these products. According to the Orthodox Union, a kosher certification body, more than 12 million people in the United States choose kosher foods when shopping at the grocery store. It’s a huge industry — these products sell over $12 billion annually.
These numbers are staggering when you consider that fewer than five million American adults self-identify as Jewish, according to a report from Brandeis University (PDF). And even fewer are observant and kosher.
What is happening? “Some consumers perceive products as cleaner or healthier,” says Mindy Haar, PhD, RD, chair of interdisciplinary health sciences at the New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury, New York.
But are they? Find out here what it means to be kosher, how to identify which products are kosher, and whether eating that way has health benefits.
What Does It Mean To Be Kosher?
Kosher foods are foods that follow Jewish dietary laws, according to Texas A&M University. “The word kosher is Hebrew and literally means ‘fit or fit,'” says Haar. “Those who keep these laws believe that they were given by God in the Torah-Bible, with details and explanations added by rabbinical leaders in the first to fourth centuries.”
Keeping kosher in Orthodox Judaism is followed to be holy, according to Britannica, but Reform Jews are not required to keep kosher in their daily lives.
Kosher eating laws are extensive, but most commonly boil down to:
- Meat and milk are not mixed, that is, milk and meat cannot be consumed together. “After eating meat, you should wait a certain hour before consuming dairy products,” says Haar. “Depending on tradition, this could be anywhere from three to six hours.” You may see the word “pareve” in some food items. This means that there are no poultry, meat or dairy derivatives in the food.
- No shellfish, as fish must have fins and scales to qualify as kosher.
- No pork, because all mammals consumed must ruminate and have forked feet.
- Beef and poultry are allowed if they have been properly slaughtered and bled by a trained butcher.
- Meat must be salted to remove blood.
- Wine may be consumed if it has been prepared under supervision and has not been handled by Gentiles. “Because of sacred importance, grape products must be thoroughly supervised,” says Haar, adding that this is usually only practiced by ultra-Orthodox.
- The cheese must be kosher certified, as some cheeses may use rennet from non-kosher sources as a coagulant.
Kosher also applies to the way food is prepared. “Separate ovens, utensils, sinks, and cutting boards are used to prepare kosher meals,” says Haar.
How to Identify Kosher Foods Based on Food Labels?
Not all kosher foods are approved and labeled. For example, fruits and vegetables are kosher but do not need certification. But for packaged products, it’s easy to find kosher certification on the food label. You can find them in all kinds of foods—cereals, bread, sauces, condiments, and baked goods are some examples, says Haar.
“There are two variables in determining whether a food is kosher: the source of the ingredients and the condition of the production equipment,” says Haar. “Kosher certification ensures that the food meets the kosher requirements for both variants.”
There are many certification companies, including OU Kosher, Star-K and KOF-K. You may also see a food with the K symbol, which means the manufacturer considers the food kosher but hasn’t been formally regulated, says Haar.
The certification process requires third-party approval. “Kosher certification involves making regular, unannounced visits by an inspector to verify that kosher ingredients and equipment are used, basic hygiene practices are followed, there is no cross-contamination between meat and dairy products, and that all products are washed and free from insects and worms,” says Haar.
The health of eating kosher
People who eat this way are said to follow a kosher diet, but it is not a diet for weight loss. In fact, it’s hard to say whether keeping kosher will be a healthy choice for you. “It’s not considered healthy or unhealthy because it’s not a typical diet,” says Trista Best, environmental health expert and consultant to Balance One Supplements (a company that sells supplements). Dalton, Georgia After all, the purpose of eating kosher food is not to eat the healthiest, most nutritious foods, but to comply with Jewish law. However, many consumers seem confused at this point, as a report from Mintel states that more than half of people who buy kosher do so because they believe it’s healthier.
It’s true that eating a kosher diet eliminates some unhealthy foods, like cheese-stacked burritos or rotten lasagna. “Consumption of meat and dairy products together is discouraged,” Best says. This can potentially reduce the amount of high-fat and cholesterol-raising foods eaten, although they can be eaten separately. There are also many kosher foods that are not healthy. Someone may eat a diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables, while another may eat packaged foods that are certified kosher. Both diets may be kosher, but they are not comparable when it comes to nutrition.
Eating kosher foods can be beneficial for people with food sensitivities, such as those with lactose intolerance, as they may look for the kosher symbol and the word “pareve” on the label to know that the product is dairy and meat-free.
Kosher Recipes You Can Make At Home
Want to try some new kosher food? Here are some links to blogger recipes for some kosher holiday meals. Just keep in mind that these recipes, reserved for special occasions, may be more indulgent than what you normally eat, so use portion control and eat sparingly.
Pineapple Raisin Noodle Kugel
The sweet egg noodle kugel is the staple of Jewish holiday celebrations. This one from Tori Avey stands out because it contains pineapple and raisins at the base and a cinnamon sugar-graham cracker crust on top. All the ingredients are kosher and the dish stays that way as long as you don’t serve it with meat.
Roasted Lamb with Pomegranate and Wine
To save this roasted lamb dish from Jamie Geller kosher, make sure the lamb you buy is labeled kosher, meaning it’s been properly cut and properly salted. It is garnished with pomegranate syrup to suit the winter holidays.
Black Lentils with Glazed Roasted Carrots
This recipe from May I Have That Recipe has a long ingredient list, but trust us the end result – a bed of lentils with spice-rubbed carrots and a delicious glaze – will be well worth the effort.
Bonus: This recipe is also kosher and vegan.
Challah
For Jewish holidays, serve up a sweet kosher bread from What Jew Wanna Eat—or just because. This recipe calls for more egg yolks than most, which takes the richness up a notch. Bread takes time; Prepare to knead and leave to ferment for a few hours before the dough is ready to be knitted.
holiday mat
What is a Jewish holiday without brisket? Rebekah Lowin’s family recipe calls for just four ingredients: brisket, beef broth, Lipton Onion Soup Mix, and carrots. Choose a kosher brisket and opt for the first or second cut for extra precision.
Conclusion at Kosher Foods
Kosher food isn’t necessarily healthier, but if you abide by Jewish laws or attend Jewish holidays, it’s important to follow the rules.
