What is Halal meat?

It’s possible you’ve come across a halal meat section at the grocery store and wondered: what is that? The topic of halal meat is popular amongst Muslims because halal meat is what is considered “permissible” to eat based on the teachings of the Quran. Moreover, it serves to provide divine permission onto the food being eaten. This idea is not limited to Muslims only however as Jews have dietary regulations dictated by their own scriptures. In the following article, we will be discussing what halal is, how it is prepared, how it compares to kosher foods, and a great place to find trusted halal meat products near you is Mirchi Masalay. 

How is Halal Meat Prepared?

Halal meat is primarily concerned with the way the animal is slaughtered. This preparation process includes several regulations with the first being that the animal must be quickly killed with a sharp knife across the jugular vein, carotid artery, and windpipe on the neckline. This is done so that the maximum amount of blood is drained from the animal. It is believed that by removing the animal’s blood, it will also remove any toxins. This abides by the important regulation of cleanliness and being free from contamination. In addition, many claim that this drainage of blood from the carcass helps the meat taste better. 

In the food industry, the term Zabiha is used to ensure that the animal was slaughtered based on Islamic laws. Before and throughout the process, a mentally stable adult Muslim will recite a passage or saying known as shahada or tasmiya. This is an important step in the process as Muslims believe this shows God their trust and dedication to Quranic verses and it provides intention. It has become more common for halal products to include a certified stamp on their packaging - such as by The Halal Food Standards Alliance of America (HFSAA). In fact, there are several steps to getting your product halal certified. At Mirchi Masalay, you can trust that the meat you receive is 100% certified zabiha halal. In case you would like to receive a copy of the certification, please reach out to us. 

Halal vs Kosher Diets

Given the multicultural landscape that encompasses the United States, it has become increasingly important to familiarize oneself with different dietary preferences. In fact, in 2016 the halal food cuisine reached $20 billion in sales in the United States and was considered as one of the fastest growing categories by Whole Foods. This is due to the rise in Muslim populations across America and as a result of younger individuals curious to try new foods. Similarly, according to BBC news, the kosher diet is becoming increasingly more popular. This religious diet is regulated by the Jewish law known as kashrut. Regardless of your background, trying new foods is always a great way to experience other cultures. At Mirchi Masalay we make it easy for you to do so as our online grocery market can provide whatever halal products you desire straight to your doorstep. Oh and if you're looking to add some delicious seasoning, we have an excellent selection of Indian spices. 

There are many similarities between kosher and halal diets. One popular similarity is that both religious diets do not allow pork to be eaten. Another popular similarity is that in both dietary preferences, the practice of stunning is prohibited (although there is a community of halal-certifying bodies that permit it). Stunning is when an animal becomes unconscious via an electric shock through the skull. Many animal rights activists claim that this helps reduce the pain inflicted on the animal during slaughter. At the same time, the goal for both religious diets is to reduce animal pain and suffering as much as possible, which is why the act of slaughter must be done quickly. The debate between stunning and not stunning is on-going. 

There are also many differences between these diets. One example is that the Kosher diet prohibits mixing dairy and meat in the same dishes while Halal diets do not. Another difference is that while halal law allows for consumption of all aquatic animals, kosher law only allows the consumption of aquatic animals that have scales and fins. A third difference is that alcoholic beverages are completely prohibited in Islam, while wine and other alcohols are permitted for Jews. 

Halal Meat Near Me

If you are a Muslim living in or near Chicago looking to order halal chicken or meat products, you’re in luck! Mirchi Masalay has an excellent wide-ranging selection of halal products including goat, chicken, beef, and lamb meats. Importantly, we understand how crucial it is to abide by halal regulations and practices, so we are fully committed to ensure our products provide just that. This includes ensuring equipment's do not have any najis (meaning unclean) surfaces or animals are not injected with an non-halal chemicals such as hormones or antibiotics that may possibly contain pork based ingredients. 

In fact, our online grocery store also supplies international spices and non-frozen items that can be delivered anywhere across the country. Search up whichever spice you are looking for in the search box and receive an ample selection to choose from. We even offer an organic section where you can add vegetables, fruits, dairy, tea, and more! There is so much convenience and ease when it comes to shopping for your groceries online, particularly during these unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Stay safe and stay home - we’ll bring what you need to you. In fact, we give you the option to choose what date you would like your items to be delivered. Let’s say you would like to cook halal lamb beef in one week for a special occasion, at the checkout you may select the delivery date to be one week from now. That way, you won’t have to worry about it being fresh or about forgetting to pick it up from your local grocery store.