What is kosher soup?

Kosher soup is a type of soup that follows the Jewish dietary guidelines, known as kashrut. Here are the main characteristics and requirements for kosher soup:

1. Ingredients: All the ingredients used in kosher soup must be kosher. This includes the meat, vegetables, spices, and any other additives. Kosher meat comes from animals that are slaughtered and prepared according to Jewish law. Certain animals are forbidden for consumption (e.g., pork and shellfish), and there are specific rules regarding the slaughter and preparation of permitted animals.

2. Meat and Dairy: According to Jewish dietary law, meat and dairy products cannot be mixed or consumed together. Therefore, kosher soup can be either meat-based or dairy-based, but not both. Soups that contain meat products must not contain any dairy ingredients, while soups that are dairy-based, such as cream soups or cheese soups, cannot contain any meat or meat-derived products.

3. Treifot: Certain parts of animals are considered "treifot" (forbidden) and cannot be consumed. This includes certain organs, veins, and fats. These treifot cannot be used in kosher soup.

4. Kosher Preparation: The soup must be prepared in a kosher kitchen, using utensils and cookware that have been properly cleansed according to Jewish law. This involves a specific process called kashering, which ensures that the equipment is free from any residual non-kosher substances.

5. Supervision: In order to ensure that kosher soup is prepared and served according to Jewish law, it is often supervised by a rabbi or a kosher certification agency. This provides assurance to consumers that the soup meets the required kosher standards.

It's important to note that there are different levels of kosher certification, depending on the certifying organization and the specific requirements they follow. Some kosher soups may have stricter standards than others, so it is always advisable to check the kosher certification label to confirm the level of kashrut.