Keeping Kosher While On A Trip
Keeping Kosher while traveling offers many challenges. If you reside in an urban area using a large Jewish population it is possible utilized to creating a wide array of certified Kosher restaurants for your use. This selection of reliable Kosher restaurants can diminish dramatically when one travels overseas. In such cases questions may arise about the way to keep kosher on a trip and ways to go with a reliable restaurant abroad. A lot of people mistakenly think that so-called "vegetarian" or "vegan" restaurants are acceptable choices to actual kosher establishments--a dangerous myth indeed.
That Salad Could be Less Kosher Than Pork
Contrary to popular belief eating a straightforward salad at a non-kosher restaurant could possibly be worse than eating a slice of ham! From a Jewish law standpoint (halacha) the prohibition against eating insects is a bit more stringent than eating pork! In order for that salad being kosher it has to have already been thoroughly checked for insects, a requirement the basic washing techniques in virtually all non-kosher eating establishments will not satisfy. There are specific pre-packaged salad items that are certified to get bug free, however before you decide to grip that salad in your next cruise make certain ask to determine the packaging to substantiate whether or not that lettuce originated the best source. When you have determined how the lettuce is bug free, make sure it is served on the cold clean (or disposable) place understanding that no "sharp" foods including onions, radishes, lemon, etc. have been added since that would present other kashrut conditions that might make that bug-free salad treif!
Dressings also pose problems. As an illustration, is the dressing parve or made with milk? Will the dressing offer an acceptable kosher certification (hashgacha)? Tinnitus too, did the fruits or vegetables come from Israel? Such imported products could present problems regarding tithing, for example. May be the restaurant using non-kosher wine or flavoring oils?
Coffee
The buzz of coffee houses poses unique concerns to the kosher traveler. Restaurants like Starbucks give a mixture of both kosher and non-kosher products which aren't clearly labeled. Generally, unflavored coffee (regular or decaf) is proper. In such cases that coffee needs to be in the disposable cup and should not encounter silverware (stir the coffee with something disposable). In the us one could add milk to their coffee (assuming they do not hold Chalav Yisroel).
Flavored coffees pose their own problems. Many coffee places use non-kosher flavoring syrups or powders. Before adding flavor in your coffee be sure to examine the packaging to ensure that no doub it is kosher. Take into account that because you examined the packaging once, you must do so any time you order as many restaurants will alter brands without notifying customers.
The bottom line in terms of ordering coffee as a possible unsupervised establishment is always that you can purchase plain coffee without as hasgacha if they are careful to examine any added ingredients, and use disposable cups and utensils.
One word of Caution
Despite having the above mentioned leniencies and data it really is essential which you consult your own competent Orthodox Rabbi for particular instructions. Not every person holds by the same leniences or halachic rulings and therefore you have to ask questions of these rav just before purchasing from an unsupervised establishment. The above mentioned info is should have been a rough guide and summary of the worries of the kosher traveler and should not be used as halachic advice.
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