Chapter 10: Mezonos – Blessing over five grain non-bread products

This chapter shifts the focus from when a product is classified as Mezonos or Hamotzi to the specific laws of the Mezonos blessing itself, especially regarding cooked dishes made from whole grains and other products not covered in previous chapters.

1. Said wrong Bracha Rishona on Mezonos product:

If one mistakenly says Hamotzi instead of Mezonos on Pas Haba Bekisnin, they fulfill their obligation; no new blessing is needed unless a meal amount was eaten. If one recites Hamotzi on cooked Mezonos foods (like pasta), the blessing is invalid and Mezonos must be said properly. Saying Hagafen or Haeitz on Mezonos generally does not fulfill the obligation, and the correct blessing should be recited. Some opinions are lenient with Haeitz, but the main ruling is to be strict. If Ha’adama is said on Mezonos, some say it does not count, others say it does; the practical approach is not to repeat the blessing because of doubt. If Shehakol is said on Mezonos, the obligation is fulfilled and no new blessing is required.

Mistaken Bracha	Food Type	Obligation Fulfilled?	Repeat Blessing?
Hamotzi	Pas Haba Bekisnin (Mezonos product)	Yes	No
Hamotzi	Cooked Mezonos foods (pasta)	No	Yes
Hagafen	Mezonos	No	Yes
Haeitz	Mezonos	No	Yes
Ha’adama	Mezonos	Unclear	No
Shehakol	Mezonos	Yes	No

2. Said Mezonos on other foods:

See Chapter 7 Halacha 18B!

 

3. What grain products receive the blessing of Mezonos:

A Mezonos product is defined as any five grain product which is cooked, whether boiled or baked, to the point that it is upgraded from the category of Ha’adama, but does not meet the criteria to be upgraded to the blessing of Hamotzi, and is not defined as Mezonos bread, or one does not eat from it to the point of Kevius Seuda, as explained in length in the previous two chapters.

Thus, in total for a product to receive the blessing of Mezonos it must fulfill all of the following conditions:

1. The product is made from one of the five grains.
2. The product is cooked, whether baked or boiled.
3. The product is cooked to the point to that it is upgraded from the category of Ha’adama, but does not meet the criteria to be upgraded to the blessing of Hamotzi.
4. If defined as Mezonos bread one does not eat from it to the point of Kevius Seuda.

4. The five grains:

See Chapter 8 Halacha 4 for the full details of this subject!

For a grain product to require the Mezonos blessing, it must be made from one of the five grains (wheat, barley, rye, oats, or spelt), be cooked or baked to a certain standard, and not qualify as Hamotzi or Mezonos bread eaten as a meal. Various species of the five grains are included, but buckwheat and similar seeds are not considered grains for this purpose. Products like gluten, seitan, bran (outer husk), and wheat straw are not classified as grain and generally receive a different blessing. Some products, like wheat germ, can be considered grain, and there are halachic debates about items such as wheat sprouts.

5. The blessing on Legume crackers:

Legume flour which has been into crackers is Shehakol and Borei Nefashos. If legume crackers contain gluten from wheat or other grains, they are still classified as Shehakol, since the addition of gluten does not change their blessing.

6. Multi-grain – Mezonos products made of five grains and legumes:

See Halacha 13 for the application of this subject regarding other foods that contains Mezonos ingredients, and Chapter 8 Halacha 6 regarding Hamotzi multi gran bread!

Before blessing: It’s before blessing is Mezonos.

After blessing: If it contains 16.7 % of five grain flour then Al Hamichyah is to be recited after eating a Kezayis of the food within Achilas Peras [4 minutes]. If however it does not contain 16.7 % of five grain flour within Achilas Peras [i.e. 174 grams], then one is to eat a Kezayis each of two other foods of which one is Mezonos and the second receives a Borei Nefashos, and then recite an Al Hamichyah and Borei Nefashos on both foods.

Scenario	Before Blessing	After Blessing
Mixture of five grain flour and legume flour	Mezonos	Depends on amount of five grain flour
Five grain flour added only for consistency	Shehakol	Not specified
Contains Kezayis (27g) five grain flour within Achilas Peras (174g, 16.7%)	Mezonos	Al Hamichyah
Does not contain Kezayis (27g) five grain flour within Achilas Peras	Mezonos	Disputed: Al Hamichya or Borei Nefashos
No two other foods available	Mezonos	Do not eat; if eaten, say no after blessing

7. Crackers made of rice and 5 grain flour:

Before blessing: It’s before blessing is Mezonos.

Rice and wheat dish: Any non-bread product that is made of rice and wheat flour receives a Mezonos and Al Hamichya if the entire food has the taste of wheat. One says Mezonos on any amount of the food that one will be eating and says Al Hamichyah on a Kezayis of the food. If the entire food does not have the taste of wheat, then it follows the same laws as any food that is made of legume and five grain flour, explained above.

8. Gluten free crackers:

If made only from oat flour, the blessing is Mezonos before eating and Al Hamichya afterward. If made only from legume flour (other than rice), the blessing is Shehakol before eating and Borei Nefashos afterward. If made from a mixture of oat and legume flours, the blessing before eating is Mezonos, and after eating, Al Hamichya is recited based on the amount of oat flour it contains, as explained in  Halacha 6.

9. Whole Grain and Kernels – Cooked, baked, roasted, raw, and pressed whole and broken kernels:

Mezonos and Al Hamichyah is only said on cooked grains if they stick together or the kernels are broken apart. If the grains are whole and do not stick together, then their blessing is under dispute and should hence only be eaten within a meal.

1. Cooked Whole Kernels:
   • Softened and stick together: Blessing is Mezonos.
   • Do not stick together but peel has come off: Blessing is disputed between Mezonos and Hadama.
   • Completely whole and do not stick together: Blessing is Ha’adama. After blessing is disputed.
2. Cooked Chopped Grains (e.g., Burgal):
   • Blessing is Mezonos and Al Hamichya.
3. Roasted Grain:
   • Wheat: Before blessing is Ha’adama, after blessing is disputed.
   • Barley: Before blessing is Shehakol, after blessing is disputed.

4. Raw Pressed Grains:
   • If soaked and stick together: Blessing is disputed between Mezonos and Hadama.
5. Raw Whole Grain:
   • Wheat: Blessing is Ha’adama.
6. Barley:

• Blessing is Shehakol

Type of Grain	Blessing
Cooked Whole KernelsSoftened and stick together	Mezonos and Al Hamichya
Cooked Whole KernelsDo not stick together but peel has come off	Disputed between Mezonos and Ha’adama. Eat within meal, or say Mezonos and Al Hamichya
Cooked Whole Kernels Completely whole and do not stick together	Ha’adama and disputed after blessing so eat within meal or say Borei Nefashos
Cooked Chopped Grains (e.g., Burgal)	Mezonos and Al Hamichya [if does not stick together, some say eat within meal]
Roasted Grain (Wheat)	Before: Ha’adama, After: Disputed
Roasted Grain (Barley)	Before: Shehakol, After: Disputed so eat within meal or say Borei Nefashos
Raw Pressed Grains Soaked and stick together	Disputed between Mezonos and Ha’adama, so eat within meal
Raw Whole Grain (Wheat)	Ha’adama, After: Disputed so eat within meal or say Borei Nefashos
Raw Whole Grain (Barley)	Shehakol, After: Disputed so eat within meal or say Borei Nefashos

10. List of cooked and pressed kernel foods and their blessing:

• Barley Soup: If grains stick together, say Mezonos and Al Hamichyah. If not, the blessing is debated; so eat within a meal or say Ha’adama and Mezonos on a different food. When eating it outside of a meal [and without saying a blessing on other foods] some conclude that one should say Mezonos as a before blessing and Al Hamichya as an after blessing.
• Barley Risotto (Orzotto): Mezonos and Al Hamichyah.
• Barley Porridge: Mezonos and Al Hamichyah.
• Bulgur: Mezonos and Al Hamichyah.
• Chulent with Five Grains: If grains stick together, Mezonos and Al Hamichyah (if enough is eaten); otherwise, Borei Nefashos. Other recognizable large ingredients get their own blessing (Ha’adama or Shehakol).
• Couscous: Mezonos and Al Hamichyah.
• Cream of Wheat (thick): Mezonos and Al Hamichyah. If liquidy, Shehakol and Borei Nefashos.
• Granola Cereal: If precooked as porridge, Mezonos; if only toasted, Ha’adama. After blessing is debated: Al Hamichyah or Borei Nefashos. Ideally eat it within a meal.
• Granola Bars: Some say Mezonos and Al Hamichyah; others say Ha’adama and Borei Nefashos. Ideally eat it within a meal, or after saying Mezonos and Ha’adama on two different foods, to cover all blessing opinions.
• Kneidlach (Matzah balls): Mezonos.
• Oatmeal Porridge: Cooked with liquid, Mezonos and Al Hamichyah. If not cooked, usually Ha’adama and Borei Nefashos.
• Oatmeal Cookies: Mezonos and Al Hamichyah.
• Puffed Wheat Cereal: Ha’adama before eating; after blessing debated (Al Hamichyah or Borei Nefashos). Ideally eaten within a meal.
• Seitan (Meat substitute): Shehakol.
• Toasted Wheat: Ha’adama and Borei Nefashos when not eaten in a meal.
• Wheat Berries: Boiled kernels sticking together or broken: Mezonos and Al Hamichyah.

Food Item	Blessing (Before)	Blessing (After)
Barley soup	Mezonos (if barley sticks together)	Al Hamichyah (if barley sticks together)
Barley Risotto (Orzotto)	Mezonos	Al Hamichyah
Barley Porridge	Mezonos	Al Hamichyah
Bulgur	Mezonos	Al Hamichyah
Chulent with five grains	Mezonos (if grains stick together)	Al Hamichyah (if Kezayis eaten within Achilas Peras)
Couscous	Mezonos	Al Hamichyah
Cream of Wheat – Flour porridge	Mezonos (if thick)	Al Hamichyah
Granola cereal	Ha’adama or Mezonos (depending on preparation)	Borei Nefashos or Al Hamichyah (depending on preparation)
Granola bars	Dispute if Mezonos or Ha’adama	Dispute if Borei Nefashos or Al Hamichyah
Kneidlach – Matzah balls	Mezonos	Al Hamichyah
Oatmeal Porridge	Mezonos (if cooked)	Al Hamichyah
Oatmeal cookies	Mezonos	Al Hamichyah
Puffed wheat cereal	Ha’adama	Borei Nefashos
Seitan (meat substitute)	Shehakol	Borei Nefashos
Toasted wheat	Ha’adama	Borei Nefashos
Wheat Berries	Mezonos (if kernels stick together)	Al Hamichyah

11. Plain Flour of the five grains – Ground kernels and dough:

Plain flour made from the five grains, as well as plain dough, both receive the blessing Shehakol.

12. Flour drinks – Drinks that contain wheat or flour [i.e. Protein shakes]:

Thin flour-based drinks made for thirst (like some protein shakes or kvas): Blessing is Shehakol and Borei Nefashos.

• Kvas (Eastern Europe): A fermented drink that often uses bread made from rye flour as a base, which can include some flour during preparation. Is Shehakol and Borei Nefashos.
• Banana Smoothies or Protein Shakes: Some people add oat flour or other finely ground flours to thicken these modern health drinks. Is Shehakol and Borei Nefashos.
• Horchata Variations: While traditional horchata is made with rice or nuts, some versions include flour for added texture.

Thicker drinks or those made for satiation (like pureed barley soup or thick smoothies): Blessing is Mezonos and Al Hamichya.

• Salep (Middle East/Turkey): While primarily made from orchid root flour, it’s occasionally thickened further with other types of flour. Is Shehakol and Borei Nefashos if thin, and Mezonos and Al Hamichya if thick.
• Cereal Drinks: Some cereal-based beverages, like barley or millet drinks, use powdered or ground grains, which function like flour to add a thick consistency. Is Shehakol and Borei Nefashos if thin, and Mezonos and Al Hamichya if thick.
• Thick Protein Shakes or Smoothies: Oat flour or other finely milled flours can be added to smoothies or shakes to provide thickness and additional nutritional content. Is Shehakol and Borei Nefashos if thin, and Mezonos and Al Hamichya if thick.
• Pureed barley soup: Pureed barley soup is Mezonos and Al Hamichyah.

Questionable: If unsure about thickness or purpose, Shehakol and Borei Nefashos should be said; Mezonos also fulfills the obligation.

Drink Type	Description	Blessing	After Blessing
Thin flour-based drinks	Made for thirst (like some protein shakes or kvas)	Shehakol	Borei Nefashos
Thicker drinks or those made for satiation	Like pureed barley soup or thick smoothies	Mezonos	Al Hamichya
Unsure about thickness or purpose		Shehakol (Mezonos also fulfills the obligatio)	Borei Nefashos

13. Ikar Vitafel – Foods that contain flour and Mezonos ingredients within them:

See chapter 17 for the full details of this subject!

If a food contains flour from the five grains for taste or satiation, the blessing before eating is Mezonos, regardless of whether flour is the main ingredient. If the flour only provides texture or color and not taste or satiation, it is not considered the main ingredient for blessings. For the after-blessing (Al Hamichya), if there is 16.7 % of flour in the mixture, then if one eats a Kezayis of the food within Achilas Peras [4 minutes], then he recites Al Hamichya. However, if there is less than 16.7 % of flour in the mixture, it’s best to only eat the food within a meal or together with other foods requiring Mezonos and Borei Nefashos blessings. Foods with raw (uncooked or unbaked) flour generally do not receive the Mezonos blessing. Foods that contain five grain kernels may receive a Mezonos blessing depending on preparation and quantity consumed.

 

Scenario	Final Conclusion / Guideline
Food contains flour ingredient, but less than a Kezayis of flour within Achilas Peras	Do not recite Al Hamichya after eating. Ideally, only eat this food within a meal.
Food contains a Kezayis of flour within Achilas Peras	Recite Al Hamichya after eating.
Want to eat the food outside a meal, but there is less than a Kezayis of flour within Achilas Peras	Either eat a Kezayis each of two other foods (one Mezonos and one Borei Nefashos) and recite both after blessings, or avoid eating the food.
Ate the food (with less than a Kezayis of flour within Achilas Peras) outside a meal, and no other foods are available	Do not recite any after blessing.
Ate the food (with less than a Kezayis of flour within Achilas Peras) and has one other food (either Al Hamichya or Borei Nefashos)	Eat that food and recite the appropriate after blessing for it.