Concept in Definition ABC

This Hebrew word is included within the culinary norms of the Jewish people, coming from the sacred texts, especially from Leviticus. In this way, if a food is kosher this means that its consumption It is licensed for the Jewish community. Food laws are strict, but not all Jews uphold them.

Culinary prohibitions have a spiritual meaning

For the Jews food They are divided into two categories: pure and impure. From a religious perspective, the food we eat is what allows the human soul to coexist within the body in harmony.

Kosher food is not simply correct or suitable, as this concept also serves to ensure the quality of food.

Pork is not allowed in the Jewish religion, since the pig is an impure animal that feeds on any food. You can eat the meat of split-hoofed ruminant animals, you can not eat the meat of rabbits, snakes or some birds. Neither is that of a camel, because despite being a ruminant, its hoof is not split.

In relation to foods of aquatic origin, those that have fins and scales can be consumed.

Other complementary rules

The animals that are consumed must be sacrificed according to a ritual (shechita). Thus, the animal cannot die from natural causes or disease but it is mandatory compliance to be slaughtered with a single deep cut to the throat using a knife (at margin of the shechita, in Jewish establishments it is guaranteed that the meat for sale does not have any type of hormone).

The slaughtered animal must be bled, since its blood is equally impure. On the other hand, the fat in some areas of the body also has to be eliminated.

Also, meat and milk products cannot be eaten together. Wine that has been made with the foot-treading technique is also not accepted by the rabbis.

Quality control offers the maximum guarantees

All kosher products are free of hormones or any procedure transgenic. Food quality control has been thoroughly supervised.

In most territories where there are large Jewish communities there are specialized establishments.

Quality certificates can be extended to any type of product (for example, in Mexico kosher tequila is commercialized and in this way the consumer knows that the plant from which the tequila is obtained has not had pests).

Photos: Fotolia - Ezume / Smspsy