As Ontarians are becoming more conscious about their health they are willing to try products which a few years ago they wouldn’t probably have tried. In a province that houses nearly half the population of Canadian Jews (around 165,000), kosher produce is just such a choice and is easy to obtain.
But what is Kosher, and why should we eat it?
In Hebrew, the word kosher means something that is ‘proper’ or ‘fit’ indicating that all kosher foods produced meets the dietary requirements under Jewish law. This law divides foods into three different categories:
Poultry and meat
An animal is considered ‘kosher’ if it has a split or cloven hoof and chews the cud. Poultry such as chicken, ducks, turkey and geese can also be considered kosher. To be certified and have the official kosher stamp, trained people called ‘Sochet’ must slaughter the animal. After slaughter the animal is examined to make sure that the carcass remains kosher and that no defects are in place to make it non-kosher.
Dairy and milk products
According to kosher law, all milk and dairy products cannot be prepared, cooked or indeed eaten with meat products. Separate pans and utensils must also be used for preparation. On top of this the milk must come from an animal that is itself kosher.
Pareve
This is the name given to other products that are not of the above. These include fish, all non animal manufactured products and all produce, grown in the ground or on trees.
In essence, kosher produce is in general purer, safer and often considered much tastier. It is a method by which people understand exactly where the product has come from, and that it has passed strict kosher law. Knowing just where the produce you are eating has come from can’t be a bad thing right!
In Ontario, kosher produce is becoming so poplar that large grocery chain stores such as Loblaw’s has increased its kosher department to around 40%. Other department chains have followed suit and Sobey’s in Thornhill tripled its kosher floor from 5,000 to around 15,000 square feet. In fact latest figures show that approximately 65% of all food in Ontario supermarkets is kosher based.
The most popular products are what are known as ‘portable’ foodstuffs and can be eaten on the run. Produce such as bagels, wraps, enchiladas and breads are always in demand. Convenience foods are also in demand as mainstream kosher diners are looking for healthy, nutritious and convenient snacks and meals. Chinese, Japanese and Thai products are the latest to hit the kosher market. Finally nutritious snacks play a big part in the consumer market and energy bars, granola bars and dried fruit snacks can all be found under kosher produce.
Kosher is not just a type of food, it’s a way of life, and a healthy one at that. This is why more and more people are turning to kosher foods and this is why it is certainly worth considering, the next time you are in the supermarket.