Pareve

Pareve (also spelled parve and other variants) is a term used in Kosher laws to classify food that is neither meat nor dairy. Some common examples of pareve food items include fruits, vegetables, grains, eggs, and fish. These foods are considered neutral and can be eaten with either meat or dairy meals.

Origins and Etymology

The term pareve comes from the Yiddish word parev, which is derived from the Hebrew word parve. Both words mean "neutral" or "simple". The concept of pareve foods is rooted in the Jewish dietary laws (kashrut), which prohibit the mixing of meat and dairy products.

Classification

Pareve foods are classified into three main categories: natural, processed, and commercial.

• Natural pareve foods are those that are inherently pareve, such as fruits, vegetables, and grains. These foods do not require any special preparation or certification to be considered pareve.

• Processed pareve foods are those that have been prepared in a way that ensures they do not contain any meat or dairy ingredients. This can include foods like bread, pasta, and certain types of candy.

• Commercial pareve foods are those that have been certified as pareve by a kosher certification agency. These foods are typically marked with a symbol, or hechsher, that indicates their pareve status.

Kosher Laws and Pareve

According to kosher laws, pareve foods can be eaten with either meat or dairy meals. However, there are some exceptions and additional rules to consider. For example, fish and eggs, while technically pareve, are often treated with the same restrictions as meat due to the potential for cross-contamination. Additionally, certain processed or commercial pareve foods may be considered "dairy equipment" or "meat equipment", meaning they were processed using equipment that also processes dairy or meat products.

See Also

• Kosher
• Kashrut
• Hechsher
• Yiddish
• Hebrew

Pareve Resources
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