is recommending that kosher consumers look to their local rabbis for guidance on the quinoa question. The Orthodox arbiters of kosher inspected quinoa fields in the mountains of Peru and Bolivia. Cooked dishesmade from kitniyos appear similar to those from the five chometz grains. Though he set out to discover only the foods kosher status, he would become an unlikely champion of exploited Peruvian farmers, helping them export their goods for a fair price. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community. Its great to have it on Passover instead of the usual potatoes, potatoes, potatoes. And there is the potential rub, Rabbi Genack explained. of the Kashrut Division of the Orthodox Union. But the lack of air did not deter him from his peculiar mission: deciding whether quinoa should be kosher for Passover. Rabbi Fishbane also recommends that consumers inspect quinoa for foreign matter. On the other hand, he continues, the CRC (Chicago Rabbinical Council) is of the opinion that it is not kitniyot; however, it must have a special Passover certification that no other seeds were mixed into it. Rinat Cohen bought quinoa at the Pomegranate market to prepare during Passover. Regarding Passover use, please see: Is Quinoa Kosher for Passover? I went to hear two rabbis discussing the quinoa situation at my synagogue last week, said Arlene J. Mathes-Scharf, a food scientist in Sharon, Mass., who specializes in kosher food and operates a popular consumer Web site, Kashrut.com. "People are not producing quinoa and wheat and corn." Convinced by Ghoori's research, the O.U. Over the next two years, Ghoori would return to the Andean highlands on nearly 10 fact-finding missions. Gourmet magazine hailed it in 2008 as the new belle of the Passover ball.. Quinoas price has skyrocketed in recent years, as foreign consumers have learned more about the health benefits of this superfood, which is gluten-free and contains all the essential amino acids. Amaranth is actually a category of about 60 different plant species that grow between five and eight feet tall, produce vibrantly colorful ornamental flowers, sprout copious amounts of wildly colored edible leaves and contain tens of thousand of nutritious, edible seeds. You must credit the Forward, retain our pixel and preserve our canonical link in Google search. These rabbis are always changing their minds, so Im confident theyll have a new statement next year, she said. A definitive answer is not likely to be reached until a rabbi can be dispatched to a remote mountain region of Bolivia to inspect certain quinoa operations, said Rabbi Sholem Fishbane, director of the kosher supervision service of the Chicago Rabbinical Council. Is CannabisKitniyos? Why people are choosing to eatand not eatthe grain-like substance. To avoid any hametz (leavened foods forbidden at Passover), spread the quinoa out on a cookie sheet and pick out any grains that might have cross-contaminated the crop. The rules for keeping Passover vary somewhat among Jewish people from different parts of the world, but most grainslike wheat, barley, rye, oats, and speltare off-limits. Consumer Hotline (212) 613-8241x3 . Spray a thin layer of nonstick spray, or spread a thin layer of olive oil on the pan. Kosher, also cited the danger of quinoa crops grown in close proximity to wheat and barley fields. We recommend that you inspect any product carefully before using it, the rabbi said. It seems, however, that the popularityof corn and its resulting assumption of this nickname was sufficient for the minhag of kitniyos toextend to this new grain.. His statement is as follows: It is only recently that quinoa has become popular outside of its high-altitude growing area in the Andean mountain region of South America. The Orthodox Union announced last year that it would not certify quinoa as kosher for Passover out of concern that quinoa falls into the category of kitniyot, a group of legumes forbidden because they look similar to grains proscribed on the holiday. Reliable kosher-for-Passover supervision guarantees that the quinoa does not grow adjacent to a grain field, and that it's not transported to the mill in sacks that were used to carry grains. (The Web site suggests certain brands.) Quinoa-Stuffed Bell Peppers by Sina Mizrahi. (Kashrut is the Hebrew word for kosher dietary law. At Pomegranate, a large kosher grocery in the heavily Orthodox Midwood section of Brooklyn, customers had more questions than guidance. It can wait until we decide what to do. Therefore, only a reliable kosher for Passover supervision will guarantee that there are no . At the Pomegranate market, in a heavily Orthodox neighborhood in Brooklyn, shoppers ask about quinoa. Little questions, though, sometimes arise that can stump even the experts. Although the problem may not be the Passover kosher-ness of amaranth itself, the issue of contamination is real and as of now, may to some seem insurmountable. The tribe, which Ghoori said decided to make him an honorary member, had told him about its struggles to find a way to preserve its identity in 21st-century Peru, and was fascinated by his acceptance of modernity and Orthodox Judaism. Before we certify something we want to be 1,000 percent sure," said Rabbi Moshe Elefant, C.O.O. To survive, some turn to illegally growing the valuable coca plant, which is used to make cocaine. 2. What is Tabbouleh? Chametz typically includes leavened bread or any food that contains wheat, rye, barley, oats, or spelt, unless production has been supervised to ensure that it has not leavened. But some rabbinic authorities feared that quinoa could be a kind of kitniyot, a group of grains and legumes that could be cross-contaminated with the five forbidden Passover grains. I kind of felt for many years like an outsider because of my skin color, he said. . But the lack of air did not deter him from his peculiar mission: deciding whether quinoa should be kosher for Passover. Beer 3 Beets - Canned 2,4 Bran - Unprocessed. ), They had basically the same information, but they came to opposite conclusions, Ms. Mathes-Scharf said. In the Americas, it refers to maize,in Scotland to oats, and in Germany to wheat orrye. Another question was whether it was processed in the same facility as other grains, making it likely that small amounts of barley or oats could've cross-contaminated the quinoa crop. Ostreicher escaped to the United States under mysterious circumstances last December. For Passover, Quinoa Is Popular, but Kosher? By Tami Ganeles-Weiser When he learned that Peruvian wool producers were having difficulty finding a market for their products, he invited Uruguayan wool experts to train the Peruvians in more sophisticated production methods. Before Ghoori undertook his quest, a competing kosher certification agency had ruled that the grain could be kosher for Passover. Quinoa is also low in sugar and high in fiber. In a previous issue of Kosher Spirit (Spring2009), the legendary Rabbi Zusha Yosef Blech ZL explained why corn was the only new food thatmade it onto the kitniyos list: While the commonname for maize is corn, the origin of the word cornis quite different. He also helped the Cashibo-Cacataibo, an impoverished Amazonian tribe, find Peruvian businesses willing to buy their plantains and palm oil. Even the new Kedem and Whole Foods partnership, which showcases quinoa dishes, does not include any amaranth. OK Kosher Certification maintains one of the most recognizable kosher symbols in the history of for a kashrut just wont have quinoa on Passover.. Already a member? There's no paywall on The Times of Israel, but the journalism we do is costly. PASSOVER 5783 I. - Tori Avey What Foods are Kosher for Passover? Ghoori attributes his curiosity about the world to his childhood, when he grew up as a Yemenite among Eastern European Haredim in the Boro Park section of Brooklyn. Every year the debate over quinoa rises to the top of our "Is it kosher for Passover?" The question of quinoas Passover status had been nagging at Ghoori for years. These are removed through soaking in water. "We sent a rabbi (to South America) who works for us, who lived in Chile, speaks the language, knows the culture, and he was able to determine quinoa fields that were not near any grain fields." This year, for the first time, the company sent supervisors to South America to supervise the harvesting, sifting and packaging of the product. The OU will also continue certifying OU Kitniyot retail items as it did last year. Ghoori said he isnt discussing the episode, out of respect for Ostreichers wishes. Items that do not require a hechsher Applesauce2. But the O.U., the nations largest kosher certification agency, had refused to give its stamp of approval. If that barley manages to make its way into a sifted batch of quinoa, and avoid detection during repackaging, it could wind up gracing your seder table on Passover night. There they endure the threat of mine collapses and the toxic presence of mercury, which is used to extract the gold from rock. If you endeavor to keep kosher for Passover and want to eat quinoa this year, you may want to make sure the package specifically says it is kosher for Passover; there are several brands available. Chametz typically includes leavened bread or any food that contains wheat, rye, barley, oats, or spelt, unless production has been supervised to ensure that it has not leavened. Amaranth seeds were integral to celebrations of the Aztecs; as with the amaranth-based alegra candies of today, the many Mexican Da de los Muertos candy masks were made with amaranth seeds and honey or maguey sap to form a candy. Therefore, quinoa should only be used with reliable Kosher for Passover certification or agency approval. Quinoa Granola by Ahuva Schwartz. Michael Orbach The status of quinoa, the grain-like crop, was the most-asked question for the last few years on the OU's various kashrut forums across the web and in person. Even men, facingmore than a week of eggs and potatoes, mightconsider giving quinoa one more chance. I didnt have a completely informed answer, and neither did the OU. Quinoa, rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, would seem to be a perfect solution. Chicken and Quinoa "Fried Rice". Or maybe somebody offered them $35 to take their 13-year-old into town to sell them into a brothel.. Mixed Quinoa and Pistachio Pilaf by Faigy Grossman. The decision was the culmination of painstaking research and the resulting evidence, said Rabbi Nachum Rabinowitz, a senior rabbinical coordinator for the OU. Home cooks who keep kosher can look for quinoa packaging that bears a kosher-for-Passover certification label from other agencies such as Star-K or the Chicago Rabbinic Council. for the holiday was sold under the direct export model championed by Ghoori. Rabbi Hershel Schachter, one of the heads of Yeshiva Universitys rabbinical school and also an O.U. The status of quinoa, the grain-like crop, was the most-asked question for the last few years on the OUs various kashrut forums across the web and in person. Can I feed my baby regular baby milk? Sign up for our Shabbat Shalom e-newsletter, a weekly roundup of inspirational thoughts, insight into current events, divrei torah, relationship advice, recipes and so much more! Typically any grains that . Is it kosher for Passover? contamination was not common at the time thatthe minhag was established, and therefore theseseeds did not make it on to the kitniyos list. In addition to quinoa, OU Kosher has concluded that related canihua, kiwicha and maca seeds processed under supervised conditions may also be approved for Passover (OU-P).. (Botanically, it is a member of the goosefoot family, which includes beets and spinach.) Just as Ghoori was becoming concerned about the quinoa growers, he met Julianna and Pablo Lopez, a socially conscious wife and husband working in Limas quinoa industry. By Jessie Molloy / March 14, 2023 5:33 pm EST Religious dietary rules can be a bit complicated, especially when it comes to major holidays. Further south, amaranth was also familiar in the Incan civilization, where it was a cooked food for the imperial family. https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/18/nyregion/for-passover-eating-quinoa-is-popular-but-is-it-kosher.html. list of questions. This is the result of bitter compounds called saponins that cover the seeds. April 10, 2015, Photograph by Tami Ganeles-Weiser/The Weiser Kitchen. As Passover fast approaches, here's why people are choosing to eator not eatthe protean substance: "companies that pack whole grain quinoa exclusively," like Ancient Harvest and Trader Joe's. We cant certify quinoa because it looks like a grain and people might get confused, Genack said. The quinoa growers he encountered lived in deep poverty, far from the modern comforts of Lima, Perus capital. There are two camps on quinoa: rabbis who say it is fine, and those who regard it as suspect. Quinoa is not one of these grains, nor is it related to any of these grains, and is therefore not considered chametz. As to the second reason, that chometz grains tend to mix with kitniyos, RavMoshe points out several types of seeds, such as anise, elainder (coriander) and kimmel (caraway, cumin, or fennel) that the Remaconsiders as non-kitniyos, although these seeds areprone to be contaminated with wheat. there's a new answer: For the first time, the Orthodox Union, the ultimate authority on kosher foods, has put its "kosher for Passover" symbol on certain brands of quinoa. OU-P CERTIFIED QUINOA IS AVAILABLE FOR PASSOVER 2014 UNDER THE PEREG AND GOLDBAUM BRANDS. These products DO NOT NEED special Kosher for Passover supervision. Rabbi Menachem Genack, CEO of OU Kosher, announced today that quinoa, the grain-like seed grown in South America, is Kosher for Passover when processed with special OU Passover supervision and bearing the OU-P symbol. It has a protein content of about 15 percent, and a balance of important amino acids, magnesium, calcium, and other minerals and vitamins. Though he was able to offer a definitive stamp of approval as far as quinoas kosher status, Ghoori felt the farmers themselves were being exploited unfairly. Were happy to make this story available to republish for free, unless it originated with JTA, Haaretz or another publication (as indicated on the article) and as long as you follow our guidelines. Reliable kosher-for-Passover supervision guarantees that the quinoa does not grow adjacent to a grain field, and that it's not transported to the mill in sacks that were used to carry grains. Theyre asking me 20 times a day, What is the ruling? Gabe Boxer, the stores general manager, said last week. By remaining on this website, you indicate your consent. Quinoa. tive. The kids are forced to go into these pits that are full of mercury. Can other trendy ancient grains like buckwheat, sorghum and millet . There are two reasons given for this custom: kitniyot foods are able to be made into products that resemble chametz and will therefore lead people to mistake one for the other. Traditional tabbouleh is a refreshing Lebanese salad made with fresh parsley, tomatoes, scallions or onions, and bulgur wheat with a simple olive oil, lemon, and salt dressing. Most Americans eat somekosher foodevery day, but chances are theyre not aware of it. Eventually many South American communities served popped amaranth as a street food, and it is still commonly found there. At the time, the crop was grown mainly in Bolivia and was just beginning to gain popularity in the United States. Yiddish speakers are similarly prone to this confusion, since they often use the term korn torefer to grain. announced in December 2013 that it would begin certifying quinoa kosher for Passover. However, the minhagincludes several species that arenot botanical legumes (e.g. Rinat Cohen bought quinoa at the Pomegranate market to prepare during Passover. This terrific vegetarian dish features squash topped with quinoa, arugula, apple and fresh herbs. The big Passover questions are the same every year, and easy enough to answer, starting with Why is this night different from all others?. Amaranth seeds, neither a grain nor a cereal, can be ground into flour. For Passover, Quinoa Is Popular, but Kosher? Otherwise, quinoa is pretty neutral. Heat a skillet over medium heat. consultant, agrees with Rosen that the category of kitniyot should not be expanded. My message to them is to not give up whats sacred to them, he said. Rabbi Yisroel Belsky, the head of Brooklyns Yeshiva Torah Vodaas and a consulting rabbi for the O.U., maintains that quinoa qualifies as kitniyot because its used in a manner similar to forbidden grains. The question is how do we treat a new world crop: do we just say whatever the rabbis forbade is forbidden but whatever is not forbidden is okay? Opinions differ as to what's in a Passover cook's repertoire, but now that quinoa, the ancient South American grain of the Incas, has been approved as kosher-for-Passover by leaders in Kashrut supervision, home cooks can delight in adding some carbs to the Seder table. While the popular quinoa is finding all kinds of new-fangled uses, similar to potatoes and tapioca which are universally accepted as non-kitniyot, we are primarily concerned only with the traditional uses. Tasty, gluten-free, protein-rich and, by many accounts, kosher for Seders lacking in carbohydrate variety it has become a staple of Passover cookbooks. Baking Soda. At the opening of a new plant, one company asked Rabbi Ghoori to bless the children of the farmers. The O.U.s non-endorsement is the result of a debate within the organizations own ranks. Alternatively, kitniyot foods were grown in close proximity to grains and therefore might have been cross-contaminated with chametz. Buckwheat 4 Canned Bamboo - Not from China. Kosher for Passover WHIPPING CREAM Dean's Dairy Pure (17-37) Rabbi Yosef Landa cRc Rabbinical Coordinator, Dairy Industry. The only grain product that is ever kosher for Passover is matzah, and it must be certified as such. Quinoa, like amaranth, is a seed, and there is widespread acceptance of quinoa as a Passover food except among some Ashkenazim who avoid kitniyot. And that's . Weekly email newsletter filled with articles, Divrei Torah, upcoming events and more! So its certified, as far as I know.. Hed never have allowed the erasure of women. Ghoori visited with farmers and villagers throughout the Andes, and his findings were encouraging. A member of the chard and spinach family, its cooked leaves taste like those other soft, leafy greens. Amaranth has been around for centuries and it will continue to be around. Quinoas Passover status is dependent on whether the popular health food is considered part of the category of foods known as kitniyot. Whenever theres a new age food, theres always a fight between kosher factions, Rosen said. Ghoori has had many adventures, and he likes to tell them quickly and excitedly. Its a tiny powerhouse packed with protein, vitamins and minerals, and its an important grain alternative, especially on Passover, Becker said. They wanted quinoa farmers to earn higher profits by exporting directly to international markets. Rabbi Julie Zupan (she/her) is the Director of Jewish Engagement and Learning for Congregational Engagement and Leadership Experiences at the Union for Reform Judaism, where her work focuses on supporting newcomers to Judaism and Jewish community. But both agree that its suitability for Passover depends on how the crop is harvested and shipped. This website stores data such as cookies to enable essential site functionality, as well as marketing, personalization, and analytics. Therefore, only a reliable kosher forPassover supervision will guarantee that there areno actual chometz concerns. Four new farmer-run companies have opened in the Andes, and farmers expect higher prices for their grain. That could change, however, with the worlds major kosher certifier refusing to give quinoa its Passover seal of approval. Apparently, such There are a number of varieties on sale in kosher stores. The Spruce Kashrut's Modern Evolution Menachem Genack, the CEO of O.U. I put together this simple guide to help you better understand what foods are considered Kosher for Passover and to make sure your Passover seder runs as smoothly as possible! Two of the brands that the Orthodox Union certifies for Passover use are Goobaums and Pereg. Though he set out to discover only the food's kosher status, he would become an unlikely champion of exploited Peruvian . So all the quinoa approved by the O.U. The controversy, as The New York Times points out today, revolves around how the South American crop is grown and transported. As an independent news organization, we are in no way influenced by political or business interests. For example, food coloring derived from shellfish and used in a cake makes the cake non-kosher. On Passover when wheat, oats, rye, spelt and barley are all prohibited quinoa has emerged as a popular substitute. Quinoa, a grain-like crop grown in South America, is loved - and consumed - by many, because it is both high in protein and easy to prepare. But there's more! Several brands are now certified kosher for Passover by major kosher agencies like the Orthodox Union and Star K. And since it was not part of their diet, it is not on the list of leavened grains forbidden to be eaten during Passover. Due to conflicting reports regarding growing conditions and final usage of this new world, gluten-free pseudo-cereal plant, OU Kosher was hesitant to conclusively declare it Kosher for Passover and non-kitniyot. Quinoa, the grain-like seed grown in South America, is Kosher for Passover when processed with special OU Passover supervision and bearing the OU-P symbol. However, it is important tonote that quinoa needs special kosher for Pesachcertification, because quinoa seeds and flour arelikely to be processed on the same equipment asthe other five grains (especially with oats since bothare gluten free). Amaranth, alas, has not had the exposure and the consequent economic push to get the full-on review or the certifications. and will refrain, begrudgingly, from buying quinoa this Passover. The difficulty with Rav Moshes approach is thefact that maize (AKA corn) arrived in Europe at thesame period potatoes did, and nevertheless all agreethat corn is considered kitniyos. Quinoa was unknown in the Middle East at the time of the Bibles account of the Jews escape from Egypt, when their hurried flight left them no time to wait for their bread to rise. Rav Im not your typical frum Brooklyn kid. Sign up today. Pour the batter into the center of the pan and spread into a larger circle with a spatula. The O.U. The growers became aware that there was a market out there, Monteblanco said. Indeed, thePoskim (Mga and Taz) caution that they mustbe checked diligently before use. Thats why we started the Times of Israel eleven years ago - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world. Basic Poached Halibut and Quinoa by Barbara Kafka. After he began working in Chile in the early 1990s, his mind opened even further. Whether you are avoiding meat for Lent or keeping. In addition, some farmers use barley or oats as a protective covering over their quinoa crops to prevent birds from eating it; the risk of contamination with grains that are chametz is high. A kosher food that is processed or cooked together with a non-kosher food, or any derivative of non-kosher food, becomes non-kosher. We rely on readers like you to support our fact-based coverage of Israel and the Jewish world. rice,buckwheat, and mustard), hence,Poskim debate the kitniyos statusof many types of foods; most recently, quinoa. It does not include images; to avoid copyright violations, you must add them manually, following our guidelines. The question was taken up by the poskim (halachic decisors) of the Orthodox Unions kashrut division who reached a consensus that under appropriate conditions, the OU could certify quinoa for Passover, providing it has been processed with specific supervision for the holiday. Please use Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge to view this site. Dental floss or tape - unflavored (even waxed). And whats more telling of this ridiculous debate is that quinoa is a seed, not a legume.. But the O.U., the nations largest kosher certification agency, had refused to give its stamp of approval. In a reassuring twist for Passover consumers, Lopezs company is the only one that has earned kosher for Passover certification so far, according to Ghoori. Rather, the minhag only applies to those species that were available in Europe atthe time that the minhag was instituted. View List ofOU-Kitniyot and OU-Matza Ashira Products, Click Here to Apply or Call: 212-613-8372. announced in December 2013 that it would begin certifying quinoa kosher for Passover. At your grocery store, look in the healthy food section, or in the aisle with beans, grains and seeds. It does not include images; to avoid copyright violations, you must add them manually, following our guidelines. The Orthodox Union has not certified quinoa kosher for Passover, leaving the decision to consumers and their rabbis. Amaranth, like quinoa, has for centuries languished outside the American food psyche. The seeds, as well as the greens, were a vital part of Aztec life in what is now Mexico, and the plants were domesticated long before the Spanish conquistador Hernn Corts arrived in the New World. See our full guidelines for more information, and this guide for detail about canonical URLs. Kombucha is made using a fermentation process. We recommend that quinoa is not used on Pesach unless it is specifically needed for health reasons, in which case it should preferably be purchased with a kosher l'Pesach hechsher. The OU continues to certify Passover Quinoa. You can live in the modern world and be religious and keep your customs.. She was ordained by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and is a member of Temple Sinai of Sharon, MA. Before Ghoori undertook his quest, a competing kosher certification agency had ruled that the grain could be kosher for Passover. Quinoa "Hummus" by Naomi Nachman. All aluminum foil and disposable pans and trays, wax paper. (especially with oats since both are gluten free). Even men, facing more than a week of eggs and potatoes, might consider giving quinoa one more chance. Rabbi Yehuda Shurpin of Chabad.com is particularly insightful in his anaylsis of the amaranth for Passover question: While it is definitely not considered chametz, there are opinions that it should be avoided like other seeds that are considered kitniyot. For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members. Food from the New World Title . You can find it in most supermarkets, shelved with the grains. Case in point is the fact that potatoesare not considered kitniyos, although bread and cakes made from potatoes looksstrikingly similar to those of the five chometz grains, and that is because potatoeswere not yet present in Europe when the minhag was established. Why do Jewish holidays always begin at night? Amaranth, its kissing cousin, is technically kosher for Passover maybe. Click the link in that email to complete your registration. As quinoa ascended to fame, rabbis and kosher certifiers took a good look at its possible status as kosher for Passover.
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does quinoa need to be kosher for passover
