as a city brimming with diversity, rio de janeiro has a great variety of different cultures, which have all brought with them their own customs and traditions, translating into all aspects of city life - in the smorgasbord of different communities, one which has adapted carioca life to suit their own rituals, is the jewish community in rio, finding not only appropriate places to practice their religion, but also means to adhere to their dietary laws, entitled kosher.

kosher is a hebrew word, which is closely associated with the word kashrut, which are the rules applied in terms of eating habits - these words can be translated to 'fit' or 'proper', and, in relation to food, stipulates which foods jewish people are allowed to eat, and under which circumstances they must be prepared.

the kashrut laws are considered chukkim seeing as there is no real explanation to why one follows the dietary restrictions - jews have adhered to these laws for over 3,000 years, which include a detailed list of foods that are permitted, or forbidden, as well as numerous rules regarding preparation and cultivation.