Hello gentile,
The quick answer is yes, mushrooms are in principle kosher.
There is actually a whole essay on the subject, which does mention
some subtle points and problems that need to be taken into
consideration:
"A FUNGIBLE FEAST, MUSHROOMS IN HALACHA" by: Rabbi Zushe Blech
originally published in the MK Vaad News & Views, April, May, 2002,
and reproduced at
http://www.kashrut.com/articles/mushroom/
Kashrut.com calls itself "the Premier Kosher Information Source on the
Internet" and has a fund of recipes, information, discussions, product
announcements etc etc.
Obviously I cannot reproduce the whole essay here, because it is
copyright. However, here are some of the points it makes:
"these overgrown [Portobello] mushrooms were considered a troublesome
waste until someone realized that they served as an excellent meat
substitute. This use for mushrooms, however, was actually presaged in
the Medrash Alpha Beisa, which notes that Hashem has provided Kosher
alternatives for non-Kosher foods: “I have prohibited Neveilos and
Treifos (carrion and diseased animals), but I have permitted Kemeihin
and Pitrios (mushrooms)."
"The use of wild mushrooms as food, however, is quite ancient and
poses no inherent Kashrus concern for either year round use or for
Pesach. " [Pesach is Passover.]
With respect to cultivated mushrooms, irrespective of what is used to
produce the compost in which they grow, "The composting process
ensures that these materials are hygienic and safe, and since all of
this material is – by definition – decomposed, it poses no Kashrus
concerns."
However, then there is a question about mushroom spawn sometimes being
grown on damp rye. This "would most certainly pose a concern of
Chometz, and some have therefore cautioned against using such
mushrooms on Pesach. On the other hand, most authorities do not
consider this to be a problem." Detailed reasons are given by the
author why it is not considered a problem.
[I found a definition of Chometz on another site: "Throughout the
eight days of Pesach it is forbidden to eat chometz. Chometz results
when one of the five essential grains (wheat, rye, barley, oats, and
spelt) or a derivative of it, is allowed to remain undisturbed in
contact with water for eighteen minutes." The web itself does not seem
to be available any more, but the page is present in Google's cache:
http://216.239.39.100/search?q=cache:3KGoOI8MLtoJ:www.rainmall.com/pesach/prohibition.html
]
There is a potential problem of insect infestation, which would be a
problem regarding kosher acceptability. However, this is not
considered to be a problem in N. America. The author does mention
that canned Chinese mushrooms were found to be infested, so it is
necessary to check that no infestation is present.
There is also an issue which depends on the custom of a country as to
whether mushrooms are ever eaten raw or only cooked. "When certain
foods are cooked, Halacha requires that a Jew be involved in the
cooking, a rule called Bishul Akum. Only foods that are not eaten raw
are subject to this requirement, and the status of mushrooms remains
the subject of discussion in this regard" In Israel, there is no
habit of eating raw mushrooms, they are always cooked. Therefore,
most kosher Jews in Israel "require that canned mushrooms be Bishul
Yisroel (cooked by a Jew)." However, since mushrooms are also used as
a raw food in N. America, for example in salads, most kosher Jews in
N. America will eat canned mushrooms without Bishul Yisroel.
With respect to Quorn: "As opposed to mushrooms, however, this fungus
is grown in large fermentation vessels, and its Kosher status will
depend on the nutrients that are used in the fermentor, as well as the
other ingredients that are part of the final product. "
Search strategies: 1. mushrooms kosher 2. Chometz |
