Peels and Seeds from Non-Kosher Wine Production

Are the leftover grape peels and seeds from a non-kosher wine production kosher?

The Mishnah (Avoda Zara 2:4) writes that peels and seeds from a non-kosher wine production are forbidden so long as they are moist because they absorbed wine, but are permitted once they have dried. Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De’ah 123:14) explains that the peels and seeds are considered to be moist unless they are soaked in water to remove any residual wine, and then left to dry for 12 months or dried in an oven until brittle. Until the seeds are properly dried, one is forbidden to derive any benefit from them, but after they are dried, they may even be eaten and used for other benefits as well.

The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.