The custom of eating kosher food is an important discipline and integral part of the Jewish way of life.

The rules of  kashrut were given to the Jewish people in the time of Moses at Mount Sinai. The Torah (Bible) is a complete plan or blue print covering every aspect of life according to G-d’s commandments.

The word Kosher means suitable or fit, and this applies to food, dishes, utensils and ways of cooking. All food that is kosher is checked carefully to be sure that it contains only approved ingredients and it is then marked or listed as kosher.

Firstly, all fruit, vegetables and herbs may be eaten, after they have been washed and checked lest the foliage contains bugs.

Secondly, meat must be killed and prepared in a certain way to allow drainage of blood from the beast. Permitted meats include beef, veal and lamb.

Poultry from the kosher butcher are chickens, and turkey or duck when available.

Thirdly, fish either fresh or salt-water fish with scales and fins are permitted. Forbidden are shellfish, lobster, shrimps, crayfish, oysters, snails etc.

All dairy products -milk, cheese, butter, cream etc are part of a kosher diet, but must not be eaten or added to any part of a meal at which meat is served.

Fruit, vegetables, eggs and fish are all “neutral” and therefore may be served with meat – or may be used with dairy products.

All dishes, pots, utensils and cooking surfaces must be kept separate to be used solely for the preparation of kosher meals so that there is no chance of even a minute trace of non kosher food adhering.

Wine: Only kosher wine or grape juice is permitted.

As this is only a very brief guide, the Rabbi or a Jewish food supervisor can answer all questions in detail.

The Kosher Deli is located in central Wellington and provides all kinds of Kosher food products from around the world.

A catering service is available for all your Kosher function needs. See Kosher Catering.

If you run a food manafuctuing business and would like to expand your target market, Kosher certification can make this happen. Click the link on the left for more information.