Pareve

Jewish dietary law category

The OU Kosher symbol, indicating pareve status

Pareve (also spelled parve or parev) is a classification of food in kashrut, the set of Jewish dietary laws. Foods that are pareve contain neither dairy nor meat ingredients and are considered neutral. This allows them to be eaten with either dairy or meat meals, in accordance with kosher dietary rules.

Definition

In the context of kashrut, pareve foods are those that do not contain any meat or dairy ingredients. This includes foods such as fruits, vegetables, grains, fish, and eggs. Pareve foods can be consumed with either meat or dairy meals, making them versatile in kosher cooking.

Significance in Kashrut

The concept of pareve is significant in maintaining the separation of meat and dairy, a fundamental aspect of kashrut. According to Jewish law, meat and dairy products must not be cooked or consumed together. Pareve foods serve as a neutral category that can be combined with either meat or dairy without violating this separation.

Common Pareve Foods

Many foods are naturally pareve, including:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Grains and cereals
• Fish
• Eggs
• Nuts and seeds

Processing and Certification

To ensure that a food product is pareve, it must be processed in a way that prevents contamination with meat or dairy. This often requires certification by a kosher authority. The Orthodox Union (OU) is one of the most recognized kosher certification agencies, and its symbol is often used to indicate pareve status.

Pareve in Cooking

Pareve foods are essential in kosher cooking because they can be used in both meat and dairy meals. For example, a pareve cake can be served as a dessert for either a meat or dairy meal. Similarly, pareve sauces and dressings can be used in a variety of dishes.

Related pages

• Kashrut
• Kosher foods
• Orthodox Union
• Jewish cuisine