Saké, also referred to as Japanese rice wine, is an alcoholic beverage of Japanese origin made by fermenting rice that has been polished to remove the bran. Let’s listen to Rabbi Akiva Niehaus, certified saké sommelier and Director of Kashrus Operations at the cRc and the Rabbinic Coordinator of the Liquor Industry at the cRc, as he walks us through this fascinating topic. https://consumer.crckosher.org/liquor/sake/

Kosher Cocktails Many cocktails use vodka or rum as their base ingredient. While these 2 alcoholic drinks are seemingly innocuous, occasionally they can be distilled from problematic ingredients. Let’s hear from Rabbi Akiva Niehaus - Director of Kashrus Operations at the cRc and the Rabbinic Coordinator of the Liquor Industry at the cRc what to look out for. https://consumer.crckosher.org/liquor/vodka/ https://consumer.crckosher.org/liquor/rum/

Challah Edition. Ever wondered how things are done on a commercial scale? What’s the process of taking challah for an entire bakery? Does everything in a bakery need hafrashas challah? These questions and more, answered by Rabbi Dovid Oppenheimer, Rabbinic Coordinator at the cRc.

What's the Proper Bracha? Let’s listen to Rabbi Dovid Heber - Kashrus Administrator at Star-K as he does a deep analysis on one of the most complicated cereals in terms of its correct Bracha: Crispix.

Cereal Edition Although not directly related to kashrus, the kashrus agencies are the ones who can help us figure out exact ingredients in products. Let’s listen in to Rabbi Dovid Heber - Kashrus Administrator at Star-K as he guides us through various breakfast cereals and their proper brochos.

Is Milchigs Better? One of the more common assumptions people mistakenly make, is that dairy products are easier to certify than meat. How many times have you heard someone say “I’ll just have the breakfast at this establishment. Their hechsher isn’t the greatest, but it’s just milchigs. What can be the problem?” Let’s listen in to Rabbi Sholem Fishbane, Kashrus administrator at the cRc, and Executive Director of AKO, as he clarifies this common misconception.

Shopping in a kosher supermarket is not necessarily a stamp of approval on everything sold inside. A cookbook displaying raspberries does not vouch that they are free from infestation. Many times we subconsciously associate things that we buy as being kosher. Rabbi Yosef Wikler, the editor of Kashrus Magazine, walks us through various situations where assumptions should not be made.

The Uninvited Guests Why are there so many bugs in produce? Is this a new problem? How come there was never such issues 100 years ago? If my grandparents ate strawberries why can’t I? All these questions and more, answered by Rabbi Yosef Wikler, editor of Kashrus Magazine, who has seen these issues come and go over the last 50 years.

Who Can I Trust? With 1,493 different Kashrus organizations all over the world, how can someone know who to trust? Let’s listen in to Rabbi Yosef Wikler who has been collecting data on the various organizations for over 40 years, for some guidance on whom to trust. More information can be found on his website www.kashrusmagazine.com

Made In Mexico Whether you drink your tequila straight, or you do the whole ritual with the lime and salt, it’s worth finding out the kashrus of tequila. Rabbi Akiva Niehaus - Director of Kashrus Operations at the cRc and the Rabbinic Coordinator of the Liquor Industry at the cRc, goes in depth to explain the variations of tequila. Check out the cRc’s liquor list on their website https://consumer.crckosher.org/liquor/tequila

With A Sherry On Top. A closer look at the complexities of all types of whiskies and bourbon with Rabbi Akiva Niehaus - Director of Kashrus Operations at the cRc and the Rabbinic Coordinator of the Liquor Industry at the cRc. Check out the cRc’s liquor list on their website https://consumer.crckosher.org/liquor/

Iced Tea. Frappuccino. Cold Brew. Ice Shaken Espresso. These are some of the items on Starbucks cold drinks menu. Let’s explore their kashrus status with R’ Sholem Fishbane, Director of Kashrus for the Chicago Rabbinical Council and Executive Director of AKO as he breaks down the menu for us in this fourth and final installment of the Starbucks series. Check out the cRc’s brand new guide to Starbucks. Download a copy below