Pack of matzah or matza and red kosher wine on a vintage background. Jewish Passover holiday composition with copyspace (Credits: Getty Images)
The Jewish festival of Passover begins on Wednesday April 5, with community members around the world gathering at commemorative Seder services to tell the story of Moses and the Exodus from Egypt.
While the festival is a celebratory time, it also involves some strict traditions, mainly around food – with Jewish people unable to eat anything which has not been declared ‘kosher for Passover’ for its eight-day duration.
Just what does ‘kosher for Passover’ mean – and what foods are not allowed at this time?
Here’s what you need to know…
What does ‘kosher for Passover’ mean?
Under Jewish dietary laws all food should be ‘kosher’ – in other words it does not contain any ingredients which are forbidden under Jewish law, such as those derived from pork or shellfish, and in the case of meat should have been correctly slaughtered according to rabbinic law.
However, things are a lot stricter when it comes to labelling something as ‘kosher for Passover’ – as in this case the product must not only contain only kosher ingredients, but only those which are permitted to be eaten during the festival.
That means it cannot contain any wheat, oats, barley, rye or spelt which changes when placed in liquid – as food which is ‘leavened’ in this way is forbidden for the duration.
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This is to commemorate the story of Passover, which states that when the Israelites left Egypt they did so in such a hurry that the bread they had baked for the journey did not have time to rise properly.
Jewish people celebrating Passover therefore steer clear of bread for the duration of the festival to commemorate this, instead eating unleavened bread, or ‘matzah’ as it is known – a cracker-like flatbread which is made from flour and water and is baked just long enough to prevent it from rising.
Although matzah does contain flour, which is not allowed in other food items, it is baked for just 18 minutes, which does not allow time for it to rise.
You can have as much matzah ball soup as you like (Picture: Getty Images)
Other food which is not kosher for passover includes pasta, cereal, porridge or dough which rises (so pizza is off the menu also), as well as cakes and biscuits containing flour made from any of the above, and any other manufactured food containing anything made from these.
These items are known as ‘chametz’ and should be avoided for the entire eight days of the festival.
During this time many people will also ensure they are completely free of chametz by only buying food which has been specially supervised as fit for use during the festival, as well as using different crockery and cutlery which they only use on Passover.
Many manufacturers now produce specially supervised Passover-friendly versions of their best-selling products – examples include Heinz ketchup and certain soft drinks such as Coke and Pepsi.
What food is kosher for Passover?
Meat, fish, diary products, eggs, most fruit and vegetables and nuts are all permitted – while other flours such as potato flour and nut flours can also be used for cooking and baking.
While certain fresh foods do not need to be specially supervised for Passover, there are still some rules surrounding what does and does not need supervision.
For more information you can check out the London Beth Din website.
Some Jewish people, those of Ashkenazi (East European) descent will also steer clear of rice, corn, sunflower seeds, peas, chickpeas and lentils, which are known as kitniyot.
There were concerns in the past these might have become contaminated with chametz and should therefore be avoided. However Sephardi Jews (those of Spanish, Portuguese and Middle Eastern descent) do not follow this custom and will eat these foods on Passover.
As well as food, hot drinks such as tea and coffee are perfectly fine to have on Passover, so you don’t need to miss out on your morning cuppa.
Alcohol is permitted too, but once again should be supervised, as a lot of regular alcohol contains grain, which is of course off limits.
Beer is a no-no, but kosher for Passover wine and Prosecco is widely available in kosher shops along with specially supervised gin, vodka and fruit brandy.
MORE : What happens at a Passover Seder and what’s included in the meal?
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There’s a lot to remember for the Jewish festival.