What is Kosher Cheese?

Determining if cheese is kosher involves three main elements:

1. Milk Source:

• Permitted: Milk from kosher mammals like cows, sheep, and goats is permitted.

• Prohibited: Milk from non-kosher mammals like pigs, horses, and camels is not allowed.

2. Rennet:

• Kosher rennet: Certain types of rennet, an enzyme used to coagulate milk in cheesemaking, are considered kosher. These include microbial rennet (produced by fermentation) and rennet from kosher animals.

• Non-kosher rennet: Rennet sourced from non-kosher animals is not permitted. Traditionally, rennet was often extracted from calves' stomachs, leading to concerns about mixing milk and meat products.

3. Production and Handling:

• Supervision: Ideally, kosher cheese should be produced under the supervision of a rabbi to ensure that all ingredients and processes comply with kashrut requirements.

• Equipment: Utensils and equipment used to process and store kosher cheese should be dedicated for that purpose to avoid any cross-contamination with non-kosher products.

Additional notes:

• There are differing viewpoints among rabbis regarding certain aspects of kosher cheese production, particularly concerning the acceptability of rennet from non-kosher animals if it undergoes specific processing.

• Many commercially available cheeses are certified kosher by rabbinic organizations, indicating their adherence to kashrut guidelines.

Tips for finding kosher cheese:

• Look for the symbol of a recognized kosher certification agency on the cheese packaging.

• Ask your local grocery store or specialty food store about their kosher cheese selection.

• You can also find kosher cheese online from dedicated kosher marketplaces.

Remember, following specific requirements for kosher cheese depends on your desired level of religious observance and the interpretation of your chosen rabbinic authority.

For Kosher Restaurants 'NOT YET FOUND' in 'The City' - try a list conjured up by Melissa Strauss at Kosher Restaurants in Israel

"Kosher" refers to food and other products that comply with the dietary laws of Judaism, as outlined in the Torah and Talmud. These laws are known as kashrut and encompass a wide range of regulations regarding the types of food allowed, slaughter methods, food preparation practices, and more.

Here are some key aspects of kashrut:

Permitted foods:

• Meat: Only land animals with cloven hooves and that chew their cud are considered kosher. Examples include cows, sheep, goats, and deer.

• Poultry: Chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese are generally considered kosher, but specific requirements for slaughter and preparation exist.

• Fish: Fish with fins and scales are considered kosher. Shellfish and other seafood are not.

• Dairy: Milk and milk products from kosher mammals are permitted.

• Eggs: Eggs from kosher birds are allowed.

• Plants: All fruits, vegetables, and grains are kosher, but specific inspection procedures may be required for certain foods to remove insects or other contaminants.

Prohibited foods:

• Pork: Pigs are not considered kosher.

• Shellfish: All shellfish, including shrimp, crabs, lobsters, and oysters, are prohibited.

• Certain birds and insects: Specific species of birds and insects are not allowed.

• Blood and certain fats: These are prohibited from consumption.

Food preparation:

• Slaughter: Animals must be slaughtered in a specific way to be considered kosher. This involves a quick, painless method performed by a trained ritual slaughterer.

• Separation of meat and dairy: Meat and dairy products must be kept separate, with designated utensils and cooking equipment for each.

• Waiting period: There are specific waiting periods after consuming meat before consuming dairy, and vice versa.

Kosher certification:

• Many food products are commercially certified as kosher by rabbinic organizations. This ensures that the food meets all the requirements of kashrut.

Importance of kashrut:

• Keeping kosher is an important religious practice for many Jews. It is seen as a way to connect with God and live a holy life.

• Beyond religious significance, kashrut can also provide a framework for healthy eating and sustainable food choices.

Additional resources:

• The Orthodox Union: https://oukosher.org/

• The Star-K: https://www.star-k.org/

• Chabad: https://www.chabad.org/

If you have any specific questions about kashrut or kosher food, feel free to ask! I'm happy to help you learn more about this fascinating and complex topic.