What is "kosher"?

Kosher refers to dietary guidelines and practices followed by Jewish people in accordance with Jewish dietary laws, known as Kashrut. Kosher food adheres to specific rules regarding what foods are permissible and how they are prepared and consumed. Permissible foods include those that meet criteria such as coming from animals that chew their cud and have split hooves (for mammals), and having fins and scales (for fish). Additionally, kosher meat must be slaughtered in a humane manner by a trained individual known as a shochet, and the meat must undergo a process of salting and rinsing to remove blood. Dairy and meat products are kept separate, and certain foods, such as pork and shellfish, are prohibited.