Food

For The First Time On The Market, Introducing Shmura Matzo Coffee

Image by Screenshot

By Shira Feder March 19, 2018

If you’re observant, everything on Passover — from ketchup to coffee — requires special certification, which is bad news for people who just can’t start their day without that rejuvenating cup of java.

In 2007 the Orthodox Union, that eminent Kosher institution tasked with certifying goods as kosher, declared coffee not automatically fit for Passover consumption.

Decaffeinated coffee is created by means of ethyl acetate, which has its roots in kitniyot or chametz. Instant coffees sinned by containing maltodextrin, which emerges from corn or wheat, kitniyot or chametz.

So, like everything on Passover, coffee is…complicated.

But now, for the first time ever, shmura matzo coffee is on the market. Manufactured by the most rigorous of religious standards, with constant supervision in every step of its creation, even the most scrupulous Passover-observer will be able to partake. Sure, you might be paying a premium for the certification on the label, and sure, it’s only available in Israel, so you might have to ship it to your place of residence, but at least your religious observance will be unimpeachable.

Unless you want to add some creamer. Then you might be in trouble again.

Shira Feder is a writer for the Forward. You can reach her at [email protected]

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO