Israeli Food Exploration: 5 items for snack time!

As a followup to my previous entry about how Jews look like around my neighbourhood, I also decided to explore some Isreali foods that can be found at the kosher grocers nearby. Definitely a novel experience for a Singaporean like me!

The word “Kosher” means “fit” or “proper”, and I think it describes a way of slaughtering animals according to their laws, similar halal food. They also do not eat shellfish or pork. Although fish is permitted, I have not seen a kosher shop selling fish around here.

Another commonly seen word on the signboards of kosher shops around here is “Glatt”. When you see this word, this shop is likely to be selling meat. "Glatt Kosher" is a higher level compared to "Kosher" in terms of meat handling. Interesting huh? It’s like “Super Halal” vs “Halal”. As I have mentioned previously, this is quite a pious neighbourhood with numerous Jewish schools and synagogues in walking distance, which creates a sustainable demand for Glatt Kosher meats. I have bought raw seasoned lamb kebabs that is Glatt Kosher, and roasted them in the oven with lots of tumeric – a spice that is said to have numerous health benefits. My hubby loves my tumeric lamb kebabs!

Anyway, to introduce you some foods, I spent some time with the owner of ‘Gilo Market’, a shop near my place. The owner of Gilo Market told me that Gilo (ghee lo) is a place in Israel, and he was so kind to go through with me almost every Product of Israel he has in his store. Ain't I lucky! I will start this entry with Snacks, and the next entry will be on meal-time foods.

5 ITEMS TO SNACK ON!

1. Hashahar H’Aole L’Mehadrin Special Cocoa Spread Parve

This 'Product of Israel' chocolate spread costs $2.49 for a 1lb tub. “Parve” (par-vah) is a Judaism word, meaning ‘having no meat or milk in any form as an ingredient and being permissible for use with both meat and dairy meals as stated in the dietary laws’ (dictionary.com). It is also sometimes spelt as “Pareve” (Par-rah-vah). In my definition, it just means I bought the dark chocolate variety! I saw that they also have the milk chocolate variety on sale though. As you can see below, I snack on chocolate spread crackers!
Taste test: I can smell the smell of margarine upon opening. It tastes… different. Not like Belgium chocolate or even conventional American chocolate. And I suspect it is due to the margarine. Upon inspection, Ah ha! It contains soya bean oil, partially hydrogenated plum oil, which might explain it tastes different. It is sweet like the nutella spread, but it remains smooth even when refrigerated. No butter or milk, I think vegetarians will find this nice!

2. Tnuva Mediterranean Collection Labne (a.k.a. Kefir Cheese):
This 250g or 8.82 oz. tub of Labne (Lah-b-nay) costs me $3.99. Although this product of Israel is labeled as 95% fat free cheese, it is actually yogurt with extremely low water content. Unlike normal yogurt which you eat with a spoon like a thick soup, this one is more viscous. It resembles cream cheese spread just that it is not cheese, it’s yogurt. For the sake of coaxing hubby to eat it, I told him it was cheese… which he immediately replied that it tasted like yogurt…hahaha…
Taste test:
It tasted cold, very refreshing and slightly sour. Exactly what a cold and thick yogurt would taste like.

3. Manischewitz Matzo:
Matzo is the famous unleavened bread, mentioned several times biblically. Manischewitz is an American company established in 1888, it has now become the number one leader in Matzo products sold nationally and internationally. They have many varieties of Matzos flavours, but I specifically bought the one that Jews eat for Passover (in remembrance of their exodus from Egypt). This particular 1lb box of Passover Matzos made in the USA costs $4 or $5 I think. It is made with 2 ingredients only, wheat flour and water.
Taste test: It is like a very plain wheaty biscuit. You have to keep reminding yourself that it is fat free to continue eating it plain. I prefer to have it spread with chocolate or labne like in the picture above. A slice of fresh strawberry gives it a nice touch. As the unleavened bread is a huge piece of square, I have to lay it flat on the chopping board, and try to chop it with a long knife in order to get it bite sized. It is hard to cut it into perfect small squares as it is dry and just cracks and flakes all over. I needed a lot of practice to cut them, and it is very messy.

4. Kif Kaf
This Chocolate with wafers is an imitation of Kit Kat! It is a product of Israel imported to America. It’s 2 for $1.00. Lets see what it looks like inside...
Taste test: Nice and fresh chocolate and wafers! Once again, Israeli chocolate smells like margarine. It tastes like Kit Kat with margarine….hahaha please don’t try mixing Kit Kat and margarine at home just to know what it’s like, kids! Kif Kaf is made by professionals!

5. Nish Nosh (flavor: Mediterranean Herb)
According to the Gilo Market shop owner, this snack Nish Nosh has very popular sales! The word Nosh is a word of Yiddish origin (Ashkenazi Jews as mentioned previously could speak Yiddish) which means to snack or eat something light in between meals. This Kosher Pareve product made by a company originating from Poland costs $2.49 for a 300g (10.5oz) bag. According to the package, the main flavour is Zaatar, a.k.a. hyssop. Then on another side of the package, it says it is oregano. But aren’t hyssop and oregano different plants?
With some investigation, reference.dictionary.com reveals:
… … Za'atar is generally prepared using ground dried thyme, oregano, marjoram, or some combination thereof, mixed with toasted sesame seeds, and salt … … For Israeli Jews, za'atar (זעתר,) used to be an exotic treat associated with visits to Arab bakeries. Commercial production of the plant in Israel has made it "an integral element in Israeli cuisine." Some Israeli companies market it commercially as "hyssop" or "holy hyssop"; however, Hyssopus officinalis is never found in the wild in Israel, whereas Origanum vulgare is extremely common…… Origanum vulgare which in English can refer to European oregano, oregano, pot marjoram, wild marjoram, winter majoram, and wintersweet. Both oregano and marjoram are closely related Mediterranean plants of the Labiatae family which also includes mint and sage, so it is unsurprising that these herbs are commonly used as substitutes for one another … … According to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the country's "wild hyssop" was on the verge of extinction due to over-harvesting and it was declared a protected species in 1977.

Ah..so it is possibly not hyssop, just oregano marketed to be hyssop … ... ;-)
Taste test: This is my favourite among all the snacks! It tastes like Indian muruku! My husband thinks so too. If you like muruku, you’ll love this. It is light and crispy, not hard and crunchy like muruku, so you can keep eating and eating… once you pop, you can’t stop!

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I hope you enjoyed getting to know these 5 snack products. In the coming entry, I will show you some meal-time Israeli products. Don’t miss it!