Coffee and Kosher

Rabbi Boruch Beyer, Kashrus Administrator

Food processing and kosher status issues go hand in hand with regard to
many natural foods. The more basic the product, the more likely it is to be
free of kosher concerns. Coffee is no exception. A raw coffee bean is
innately kosher. However, processing the bean may raise kosher concerns,
particularly when it comes to flavored coffees.

Flavors are complex chemical products consisting of various ingredients,
some natural, some artificial. In formulating a flavor, one may choose
from more than three thousand flavor ingredients. Many may be kosher, some
not. To complicate matters further, food labels are only required to state
that flavors were added; they do not need to list the specific flavor.
Therefore all flavored coffees require kosher certification. STAR-K Kosher
Certification, a leading kosher certification agency, not only certifies
roasted coffees, but also some of the largest flavor houses specializing in
coffee flavors, including Danisco-Cultor, Flavor & Fragrance Specialties,
Flavor Ingredient Technology, Medallion International, Inc, and Melcher's
Flavors of America.

Flavored coffees are among the most popular items sold in coffee shops
today. While plain black coffee generally can be ordered without too much
of a problem. Flavored coffees do (may) present kosher concerns. Use of
flavored beans may present a problem. Often, a machine will be used
exclusively for brewing flavored beans. However beans flavored with
non-kosher flavors most probably are brewed in the same equipment used for
kosher flavored beans. Therefore one should purchase only flavored coffees
brewed in machines used exclusively for kosher certified flavored beans.
Syrups which are used to flavor coffee also require a reliable certification.
One must make sure to drink their coffee from a paper cup. Paper cups are
a far better choice than styrofoam, due to the absence of the non-kosher
zinc stearate present in most styrofoam cups. (For more information on this
subject, see "The Story Behind Kosher Plastics" on STAR-K's website:
STAR-K

A paper cup avoids utensils that may have been used or washed with
non-kosher dishes. Moreover, plastic spoons should be used in order to
avoid the same problem as mugs or china cups.

Those who are careful to drink only dairy products produced with a Jew
present at milking, will not add milk to their coffee nor will they order
coffees with frothed milk. Creamers, both dairy and non-dairy, require
kosher certification, as they might contain non-kosher stabilizers as well
as dairy ingredients such as casein. Sugar does not require certification.
Please note: regarding use for Passover, ALL coffee must have a Kosher for
Passover certification.

With a bit of care, one can enjoy their next cup of joe with confidence in
its kashrus.

The author wishes to thank the following individuals
for their assistance in the preparation of this article:

Rabbi Shmuel Heinemann, Kashrus Administrator, Star-K Kosher Certification,
Mr. Donald M. Schoenholt of Gillies Coffee Company,
Mr. Nick Constantinideo of Eagle Coffee Company,
Rabbi Michael Orelowitz of C.Y.T., Inc.
Mr. Donald Clark.