Whenever we are eating out, there is always the mystery of the ingredients that makes the food mouth-watering.
Does the chef have a secret ingredient? Are the vegetables organic? Or maybe it is a special spice?
But with halal food, you don't need to wonder about any secret ingredient as it's all out in the open. The ingredients are carefully selected adhering to guidelines of the Islamic dietary laws ensuring a delicious guilt-free dining experience.
We outline all you need to know about the fascinating world of Halal food in this post, which dishes qualify as Halal, and the benefits of indulging in this culinary adventure.
What is Halal?
Halal means permissible or lawful in Arabic, it is a lifestyle guided by Islamic principles.
But in the case of food, it signifies the compliance of ingredients, preparation, and consumption with Islamic dietary laws.
Principles of Halal Food
Islamic dietary laws derived from the Quran–the holy book of Islam and the Hadith–and the teachings and practices of Prophet Muhammad govern Halal food.
Islamic dietary laws govern Halal dishes by setting the following principles:
Prohibit consuming forbidden ingredients like pork, alcohol, and blood.
Food or drinks that may have alcohol or soy sauce.
During slaughter commonly known as dhabihah, you should adhere to specific requirements like humanely treating the animals and reciting the name of Allah in the process.
The animal must be alive during slaughter and should be slaughtered by a mentally and physically fit person.
Never slaughter carnivorous animals.
A reputable Islamic organization or certification body like The Halal Monitoring Authority Canada (HMA) must certify any Halal products in Ontario.
Food prepared should only contain Halal ingredients. This is why you should only consume food from certified restaurants or cafes like Chachi’s Chai Bar that provide Halal food, as shown in the table below:
Category: Items
Savoury
Spicy Turkey Melt Panini
Roast Beef Panini
Butter Chicken Panini
Sandwiches
Philly Chicken Masala
Philly Cheese Steak
Spicy Sausage Poutine
Specialty Poutine
Triple Threat On Fries
Buffalo Chicken Poutine
Chicken Masala Poutine
Benefits of Halal Food
Halal food has multiple benefits that go beyond religious beliefs.
These include:
Less contamination. Halal food ensures the highest level of cleanliness that enhances the nutritional value of food while providing a safer and healthier dining experience.
Compassion towards animals. Halal food prioritizes the humane treatment of animals, even during the slaughter process. One of the principles of Halal food is to treat animals with respect and compassion, especially during the slaughtering process.
High levels of hygiene. Halal food promotes proper hygiene practices throughout the food-handling process. For example, you must maintain clean preparation and storage areas that ensure food is safe and healthy for consumption.
Reduced diseases and allergies. High hygiene during preparation and storage leads to a reduced risk of contamination and foodborne illnesses.
Halal Food in Different Cultures
To enjoy the delicious Halal dishes, you do not need to be a Muslim, you only need to admire the principles the culture adheres to. This has led to embracing Halal food across different cultures as more people resonate with its principles.
And as the demand rises so do the restaurants offering Halal food leading to diverse and delicious dishes. For example, in South East Asia, Halal blends with the local spices resulting in a fusion of aromatic and bold flavours.
In West Africa, the results are spicy flavours due to their sweet and hot spices.
Therefore, Halal food has successfully integrated with various cultures leading to broad Halal-certified food options.
Enjoy Halal Dishes in Ontario, Canada
To enjoy a diverse array of Halal food in Ontario, you need to try us out. Chachi’s Chai Bar offers unique Halal cuisines combining traditional flavours with a modern twist. We also boast an array of flavourful beverages like chai, coffee, milkshakes, and falooda.
Furthermore, we are not limited to just these dishes or drinks. We continuously explore new flavours using Halal ingredients and techniques to offer our customers an exciting menu that pushes beyond traditional cuisines.
So when you are in the mood to try out an assorted pallet of Halal food, visit our cafés in Pickering and Scarborough and savour the vibrant flavours of our cuisines.