The Chicago Rabbinical Council (cRc) presents 10 kashrus questions that were answered in September 2013:
Q: What are the cRc guidelines regarding tequila?
A: Of the four types of tequila, only unflavored Blano (white/silver) is recommended without a hechsher. The other three (Oro, Reposado, Anejo) require a reliable certification to avoid concerns that flavor, color, and glycerin were added.
Q: Does citric acid need a hechsher?
Y: Yes, citric acid does require a hechsher.
Q: Does dextrose need a hechsher?
A: No, dextrose does not need a hechsher.
Q: I have seen the cRc policy that dish detergents do not require a hechsher. Why is that?
A: Briefly, soaps are inedible such that any possible non-kosher ingredients do not pose a kashrus concern.
Q: Does chewing gum need a hechsher?
A: Yes, chewing gum requires a hechsher, as the gum base and flavors used pose a kashrus concern.
Q: What is the proper bracha on dragon fruit?
A: The bracha on dragon fruit is ha’eitz.
Q: The government shutdown means that many routine product inspections are cancelled. Does this mean that those who drink cholov stam or eat products made from cholov stam have to keep cholov Yisroel?
A: Food inspectors are considered essential workers and are still working. Additionally, the state dairy inspectors, which in most states visit more frequently than the federal dairy inspectors, would not be affected by the shutdown anyway.
Q: Does dried mango need a hechsher?
A: Yes, dried mango requires a hechsher. It is possible that flavors and colors, including carmine, may be added to the mango. Carmine is a coloring obtained from scale insects and is not kosher.
Q: Does crushed red pepper need a hechsher?
A: No, crushed red pepper does not need a hechsher.
Q: Do raisins need a hechsher?
A: Unflavored raisins that are a product of the U.S. do not need a hechsher (as opposed to a different country).
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Dragon fruit grows on a cactus, not a tree- so why is the brocha ha’aitz, not hadoma? Please clarify.
No, 1, What if organic mango has organic carmine?
And remember to soak them b/c I’ve found worms that wouldn’t be seen otherwise. Earth kosher has certification on organic mangoes.
RE: red pepper, sometimes they come from Israel but don’t say so, and b/c of halachos of trumos and maasros, may need a hechsher. Ask your Rav.
51% is the minimum for *mixed* tequilas, that do not pretend to be 100%. Any less than 51% and it’s not tequila at all.
But that’s the law. It being Mexico there is no guarantee that the law is being kept. So one should stick to reputable brands, and even then pay attention to the price, because if it’s too cheap it’s probably a knock-off.
I was asked to get a bottle of tequila for a dinner and since I don’t know much about tequila I tried to some research. One thing which is clear from the internet is that for the label to say that it is 100% agave it only needs to be 51% agave. This is for Tequila from Mexico. I highly doubt that based on price or taste or even knowledgeable consensus, one would be able to figure out or tell if it is actually 100% agave. On another note. a star k (for those who use them) has a more… Read more »
I’m speaking as a knowledgeable consumer. Real tequila has no kashrus problems. It’s just distilled agave, aged in oak. The problems come about when someone takes cheap clear tequila (blanco) and tries to pass it off as aged (reposado or anejo). They fake the color and flavor of the aged stuff by adding ingredients that can be treif, and are definitely not what you want. Respectable brands don’t do this. They have a reputation to maintain, and they can be trusted to sell only the pure stuff. But if you’re offered a respectable brand at a price that seems too… Read more »
To #3….are you speaking as a Mashgiach, a Rabbi, or a consumer? It is important that you clarify this so someone reading the comment is aware and can make the proper decision after reading. All information I have heard is that brand or the ‘real thing’ does not make a difference, so if you have more recent info it would be appreciated if you could share the source. Thanks
Tequila reposado or anejo, if it’s the real thing, doesn’t need a hechsher. The problem is cheap knock-offs, which try to fake the colour and flavour of real reposado or anejo with all sorts of additives that may not be kosher (or taste good). If it’s from a reputable company and doesn’t seem too cheap, it should be OK. If it’s a company you’ve never heard of, or it seems too cheap to be genuine, then steer clear. Even if the additives they use are kosher, you probably don’t want them anyway.
The KA (Sydney) says that all retail packs (as opposed to bulk) of citric acid are kosher and pareve (but not mehadrin, and of course not for pesach).
Kosherquest (R Eidlitz) does not distinguish between retail and bulk packs, and says all citric acid is kosher and pareve (again, of course not for pesach).
Does organic Mango that has nothing in it other than it being dried need an hasgocha?