Kosher Food

Kosher foods are those that conform to Jewish law. This means no mixing of dairy and meat, no pork or pork products and no shell fish. As Kosher regulations do not permit mixing milk dishes with meat dishes kosher kitchens have two sets of everything – sinks, cutlery, crockery – to keep them from mixing. Dishwashers are a Kashrut (Jewish dietary law) problem. If a dishwasher is going to be used for both meat and dairy in a kosher home, there must either be separate dish racks or the dishwasher must be run in between meat and dairy loads.

Meat
The animal from which the meat is taken must have been slaughtered in accordance with prescribed Jewish ritual. Jews can only eat meat from an animal which both chews its cud (food brought up into the mouth by an animal from its stomach to be chewed again) and has a split hoof, so Jews are forbidden from eating meat from animals such as such as rabbits, hares, pigs or horses.

Fish
Jews may eat fish that have both fins and scales that are detachable from the skin.

Grape Products
The restrictions on grape products derive from laws against using products of idolatry. Wine was commonly used in the rituals of all ancient religions, and was also sanctified for pagan purposes while it was being processed. For this reason, use of wines and other grape products made by non-Jews is prohibited.

Fruits and Vegetables
All fruits and vegetables are kosher. However, bugs and worms that may be found in some fruits and vegetables are not. Leafy vegetables like lettuce and herbs and flowery vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower are particulalry prone to bugs and should be inspected carefully.