Kashrut is the term for the collection of Jewish laws dealing with dietary policies and restrictions. Kosher foods fall into this category, as people of the Jewish faith who follow Kashrut requirements only eat Kosher foods. Kosher is a term that describes the type of food as well as the way the food was prepared and eaten, and it embodies every step of the mealtime process.
Meats
Some animals cannot be eaten under Kashrut, so the meat from these animals would never be considered Kosher. Other animals may be eaten, but a Kosher butcher has to butcher the animals in a special way and drain all of the blood from the meat before it can be eaten.
Eggs
Kosher eggs are those that come only from Kosher animals, so Kosher eaters cannot eat eggs from any animal (including fish) that is forbidden under Kashrut laws.
Dairy
For a Kosher diet, a person can eat dairy products, but never at the same time as they eat meats. Approximately six hours must pass between eating meat and dairy, and other requirements also apply (such as washing out your mouth and cleaning your hands in between meat and dairy food consumption).
Food Preparation
In a Kosher kitchen, Kosher food is prepared a certain way. A Kosher cook will need to have separate cooking utensils and serving dishes for meats and dairy products.
Cleaning
A Kosher kitchen must also be equipped to clean meat dishes and dairy dishes separately. A plate that was used for meat must be washed only with other meat dishes and only in a sink or dishwasher for meat dishes.
Tags: meat dishes, dairy products, food prepared, Kosher foods, Kosher kitchen