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Almond Toffee Gift Box 
Gourmet Almond Toffee
The Philosophy Behind Buying Kosher Gifts
Kosher food is a tradition that goes back to the time of Moses and the Children of Israel. In addition to being a direct command from god, enjoying kosher food is a matter of Jewish identity. Even the act of buying kosher candy and enjoying these tasty morsels -- over conventional candies -- is an act of religious endeavor and a way of connecting with the mandate to be set apart.
Finding kosher gifts does not have to be difficult, if you know what to look for. Enstrom's toffee and candy company, for example, has discovered that offering kosher candy for sale is a way to not only increase their appeal to the Jewish community but also a move that shows inimitable foresight as a business model. With their confections containing dairy products that are certified kosher under Scroll K, they are having a worldwide impact on the way kosher products are bought online.
Consumers opting for kosher gifts like candy filled gift baskets, corporate gifts or even gourmet chocolates that are sent across the country, know that buying kosher eliminates the possibility of offending an observing Jew or worse, leaving him out of experiencing the tasty morsels the rest of the family or office enjoys. Yet did you know that not only Jews keep kosher; there are plenty of others who also look for kosher products?
Kosher food, and by extension kosher candy, is much sought after by vegans, Hindus and Muslims, as well as by those who understand the added inspection processes that render kosher food choices overall safer to eat for anyone suffering from allergies. This of course adds a whole new dimension to the "why" of buying kosher: it shows that the buyer is familiar with the societal trend of recognizing high-quality foods and choosing to extend the courtesy of purchasing them to those who are most likely to enjoy them.
Occasions for ordering kosher food online for gift giving abound; there are all of the major American holidays, Shabbat, a bar or bat mitzvah, a new baby, graduations, anniversaries or simply a little something for Chanukah. Kosher gifts are a perfect way of saying "thank you" or "you're welcome." They do not go out of style, do not offend anyone's sensitivities and - perhaps most importantly - show you as the thoughtful, forward-thinking and highly sensitive gift giver you really are.
With kosher candy or other kosher food gifts, you simply cannot go wrong.
Written by Sylvia Cochran
Everything You Need To Know About Kosher Giving
Jewish holiday traditions celebrate faith, family, long-standing traditions and kosher food. Important aspects of some Jewish holiday traditions include gift giving and following stricter than usual kosher dietary laws.
Why Give Kosher for the Holidays?
For busy families, eating kosher is not possible at every meal. During the holidays, some families make a concerted effort to follow Jewish holiday traditions and eat kosher meals and give kosher gifts. Kosher giving shows respect for Jewish spirituality and overall health, and it pays homage to Jewish holiday traditions. Consuming kosher also teaches us to respect other living animals. It also teaches us self-discipline.
Kosher 101
When looking for kosher holiday gifts, keep in mind the three kosher categories of dairy, meat and pareve. Dairy and meat may not be consumed together or prepared together. Keep this in mind when looking for kosher gifts, as any product containing both meat products and dairy products would not be kosher.
Pareve is neither meat or dairy and can be eaten with either dairy foods or meat products.
Identifying Kosher Food Gifts
Kosher food gifts bear a "hechsher," or a symbol that ensures the food item meets the kosher standards of a supervising rabbi. One common hechsner is the OU of the Orthodox Union. The Star-K is another kosher symbol found on foods that you can find on products when shopping for kosher holiday gifts.
Kosher Gift-Giving Holidays
Kosher Holiday Gifts for Hanukkah
While it's usually children who receive gifts for Hanukkah, you can still partake in kosher giving at your family's or friend's Hanukkah party. In addition to the ceremonial menorah lighting, serving a dairy-based not meat-based meal is also becoming a popular Jewish holiday tradition for Hanukah. Because meat and dairy cannot be served or eaten together and remain kosher, a holiday with a kosher dairy-based meal is the perfect holiday to give the kosher gift of Enstrom's almond toffee.
Because the sweet treat is dairy based, it can be enjoyed without having to wait six hours after you've eaten the main meal to dive into the sweet kosher gift, as would be true with a meat-based holiday meal.
Remember to burn the used menorah's wicks or wrap them properly before discarding them.
Shavuot Kosher Giving
On Shavuot, Jewish holiday traditions historically include dairy-based meals. A top kosher gift for Shauvot would be some OU-certified kosher cheese. Another nice touch would be to give aromatic flowers with lush greens, for decorating the home.
Kosher Ideas for Tu B'Shvat
Tu B'Shvat is "New Year for the trees." Jewish holiday traditions for Tu B'Shvat involve eating seven different fruits for which the Land of Israel is praised. A top kosher gift idea would be to assemble a simple basket containing honey, olives, figs, pomegranates, grapes, barley and wheat. Kosher foods with those ingredients would also make tasty kosher gifts.
Top Kosher Gifts for Purim
Purim brings some of the most festive Jewish holiday traditions into our homes. The Book of Esther is at the heart of the holiday.
Purim is also a holiday with fun costumes, revelry and wine, balance the day with healthy kosher gifts. A Jewish holiday tradition on Purism includes giving charity to at least two people. Also give two ready-to-eat kosher foods to friends, to symbolize kinship. Consider sending spicy salsa, guacamole, mixed nuts, gourmet dried fruits or a homemade bean salad, all kosher.
Written by Pam Gaulin
Researching Kosher Gifts
Selecting the proper kosher gift for special holidays is always a great adventure. Whether buying for yourself or honoring the religious beliefs of close friends or relatives, bear in mind it takes a little bit of research to ensure the kosher food gifts are certified; however, the recipient will appreciate the fact that the time and care was taken to select such a special gift. There is a wide variety of kosher food gift items from which to select for the many holidays that adhere to Jewish dietary laws appropriate to the recognized holidays including Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Chanukkah, Pesach, Sukkot and many others.
If planning to honor a friend on a specific holiday and presenting a bottle of wine is your preference, do the research to ensure the wine selected has in fact honored the agricultural laws to make kosher wine. Visit Kosher Wine Report to do a little research prior to purchasing the bottle of wine and try to select a wine appropriate to the holiday. For instance, a great recommendation for kosher wine for Rosh Hashanah is Recanati Petit Syrah. Made from a combination of 70 percent petit syrah and 30 percent zinfandel, the delicious wine is an Israeli blend that is a fragrant and spicy red wine. The retail price for a bottle of Recanati Petit Syrah is approximately $16.99.
Shiner Hefeweizen Beer is another excellent gift to give when visiting friends throughout the Jewish holidays, though finding the beer locally may be a challenge. If you plan in advance you may still be able to get your hands on the popular product by ordering kosher products online. Shiner Hefeweizen is brewed in Shiner, Texas, and it doesn't bear the Va'd symbol on the label; however, it is under the supervision of the Va'd in Detroit, Michigan, and it can be found online at Sam's.
Enstrom's makes an incredible almond toffee that meets the certification for kosher dairy products and offers a variety of kosher candy from which to select ideas for gift giving. The selection of kosher candy available includes milk chocolate, dark chocolate, toffee squares and toffee petites. Available in 4- or 5-pound boxes as well as in gift tins, the delicious toffee can be purchased from the official Web site.
If in doubt as to certification when purchasing a kosher food gift item look for the OU seal. When purchasing in a shop, ask the shopkeeper. Another excellent way to stay informed about kosher gift giving particularly as it pertains to food items is to visit the Web site OUkosher.org, which provides a wealth of information regarding kosher certification including newly certified products. Ensure that the kosher gift you give for the holidays is certified and take pride in doing the research to enjoy the act of kosher gift giving.
Written by J. Rica Middlebrooks
Why Buy Kosher?
When you're searching for the perfect holiday gift for family and friends this season, gourmet food and candy are always well received. Buying food gifts for people with dietary restrictions is no longer a challenge because specialty items such as kosher food and candy are readily available online! Whether you're celebrating the holidays with family and friends who follow kosher dietary principles or want to enjoy original, authentic and high-quality foods at the holiday table, you'll find hundreds of kosher products and gifts online, ready for delivery to your home or sent as a gift to someone on your holiday gift list.
Buying Kosher Gifts Online
Gourmet food items such as kosher candy, kosher cakes and other sweet treats make excellent gifts during the holiday season, and many vendors now offer national shipping options for easy delivery. Companies such as Enstrom's, a kosher candy and toffee company, offer beautiful gift boxes, gift tins and gift baskets for the holidays and other celebrations. Enstrom's toffee and candy are made with certified kosher dairy products and food is prepared under the supervision of a rabbi. Kosher gifts may also include items such as:
- Chocolate babka
- Kosher brownies
- Rugelach tins
- Kosher wine baskets
- Kosher cheesecake
- Dried fruit and nuts baskets
- Kosher chocolate and cookie assortments
Is It Really Kosher?
Kosher food must meet certain standards to be deemed 'certified' kosher. Since most gifts and food items are processed foods, they are only considered to be kosher if they are prepared in the presence of a rabbi. Companies that sell kosher food online will provide this information in their 'About Us' section or FAQs area to confirm whether their food and gift items truly are kosher.
Kosher meat products must also adhere to certain guidelines. The poultry and meat must have been prepared by people who are trained and qualified to slaughter kosher animals, and the meat may only come from animals that chew cud and those that have cloven hooves. Companies that sell kosher meat products typically explain where their products came from and confirm whether the meat is kosher certified. It's important to remember that only some types of birds for the holiday dinner table are considered to be kosher in the United States; chicken, turkey, goose and duck meat are all acceptable for the kosher holiday table, but birds such as hens, quail and pheasant are not.
When it comes to selecting desserts, only some bakeries across the United States adhere to strict kosher guidelines and make sure that all ingredients are certified kosher. Kosher bakery cakes, cookies and sweets are typically made from scratch and with kosher dairy products. Kosher bakeries may also provide proof of kosher certification that states all products are made under strict rabbinical supervision.
Finding and buying kosher food has become easier than ever with the vast online selection of products, gift items and candy available from hundreds of vendors around the country. Whether you're searching for gourmet candy and toffee for gift giving, or searching for a special cake for the dinner table, you can search online to find a large assortment of gourmet food items from kosher kitchens across the U.S.
Written by Sabah Karimi