1) It is common to add powders or concentrates to water to produce a flavored drink (e.g. punch, often referred to in Eretz Yisroel as 'Petel')
There exists a variety of colors and flavors of these concentrates, and making them a certain color often aides in identifying the flavor of the drink (e.g. red is cherry, green is sour apple etc.)
It is permitted to add these concentrates to water on Shabbos even though the color is desired to identify the flavor, as the main purpose of the drink is for its flavor and not for its color.
2) However, if a child specifically requests a certain color punch, it is best to be stringent and not mix it for the child on Shabbos, as he is more interested in the color than the flavor. (Ruling of Rav Shlomo Zalmen Auerbach Zatzal in Shulchan Shlomo; Shabbos Vol. 2: Siman 320:20 and footnote 31)
QUESTION & ANSWER CORNER
Reader Submitted Questions of interest on topics related to Halachos we covered, as well as other interesting topic and Answers.
These Q&A are taken from the Q & A pages on the Halacha For Today website.
Although the answers I give to questions are taken directly from the Sifrei HaPoskim, and aren't my own, they are still for study purposes only, NOT for Psak Halacha.
Questions can be emailed to HalachaForToday@Gmail.com
Reader's Question:
It is well-known that regular coffee is pretty much kosher everywhere.
However, is iced coffee kosher everywhere? What about flavored iced coffee (specifically the hazelnut iced coffee flavor from Dunkin Donuts).
Answer:
Iced coffee and flavored coffee should not be purchased without a Hechsher on the coffee and/or the establishment where it is being sold.
Even regular hot coffee can only be bought from a machine that is used only for plain coffee, not from a machine that vends other kinds of flavored coffees and other hot drinks which may be problematic.
I do not know about Dunkin Donut's coffee. It is best to contact a reliable Kashrus agency to inquire about the status of any particular brand.
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Important Numbers
