Keeping Kosher On A Trip
Keeping Kosher while traveling offers many challenges. If you reside in a major city with a large Jewish population it is possible accustomed to using a wide array of certified Kosher restaurants at your disposal. This feature of reliable Kosher restaurants can diminish dramatically when one travels overseas. In these cases questions may arise regarding how to keep kosher while traveling and ways to decide on a reliable restaurant abroad. A lot of people mistakenly feel that so-called "vegetarian" or "vegan" restaurants are acceptable options to actual kosher establishments--a dangerous myth indeed.
That Salad Could be Less Kosher Than Pork
Believe it or not eating a fairly easy salad at the non-kosher restaurant may be worse than eating a slice of ham! From a Jewish law standpoint (halacha) the prohibition against eating insects is more stringent than eating pork! For that salad being kosher it requires to happen to be thoroughly checked for insects, a necessity that this basic washing techniques in practically all non-kosher eating establishments doesn't satisfy. A number of pre-packaged salad goods that are certified being free of bugs, however before you bite into that salad on your next cruise be sure ask to determine the packaging to ensure if that lettuce originated from a trusted source. When you have determined how the lettuce is free of bugs, makes it served on a cold clean (or disposable) place understanding that no "sharp" foods like onions, radishes, lemon, etc. are already added since that would present other kashrut conditions could potentially make that bug-free salad treif!
Dressings also pose problems. For instance, may be the dressing parve or made with milk? Will the dressing have an acceptable kosher certification (hashgacha)? But too, did the vegetables or fruits originate from Israel? Such imported products could present problems regarding tithing, as an example. Could be the restaurant using non-kosher wine or flavoring oils?
Coffee
Very good of coffee houses poses unique concerns to the kosher traveler. Restaurants for example Starbucks give you a blend of both kosher and non-kosher items which usually are not clearly labeled. Generally, unflavored coffee (regular or decaf) is acceptable. In these instances that coffee must be within a disposable cup and should not encounter silverware (stir the coffee with something disposable). In the United States one could add milk with their coffee (assuming they cannot hold Chalav Yisroel).
Flavored coffees pose their very own problems. Many coffee places use non-kosher flavoring syrups or powders. Before adding flavor on your coffee make sure you examine the packaging to ensure it is indeed kosher. Take into account that just because you examined the packaging once, you have to do so any time you order since many restaurants will alter brands without notifying customers.
The bottom line with regards to ordering coffee as an unsupervised establishment is always that you can purchase plain coffee without as hasgacha if they're careful to examine any added ingredients, and rehearse disposable cups and utensils.
A Word of Caution
Even with the aforementioned leniencies and details it can be crucial that you speak to your own competent Orthodox Rabbi for particular instructions. Not every person holds with the same leniences or halachic rulings and thus you have to seek advice with their rav before purchasing from an unsupervised establishment. The above info is should have been a tough guide and introduction to the worries of the kosher traveler and cannot be taken as halachic advice.
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