9. List of cooked and pressed kerenel foods and their blessing: [See halacha 8 for background]

• Barley soup:[1] The blessing over liquidy barley soup falls under the debate of whole grains which do not stick to each other, and hence is to be eaten within a meal[2] [or alternatively according to some[3] say Hadama and Mezonos on a different food and eat enough of those foods to be able to say an after blessing of Al Hamichyah and Borei Nefashos after eating it.] 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.[4] If the barley sticks together in the soup, then according to all, the soup is Mezonsoa nd Al Hamichyah.
• Barley Risotto (Orzotto): A creamy dish similar to risotto but made with barley, popular in Italian cuisine. Its blessing is Mezonos and Al Hamichyah.
• Barley Porridge: A simple breakfast dish made by boiling barley with water or milk, similar to oatmeal. Its blessing is Mezonos and Al Hamichyah.
• Bulgur: Mezonos and Al Hamichya. See Halacha 8b.
• Chulent with five grains:[5] If the ingredients include barley or wheat, and the Chulent is cooked down to the point that the grains stick to each other, then one is to make a blessing of Mezonos on the grains, and if he eats a Kezayis of these grains within Achilas Peras [i.e. 4 minutes], then the after blessing of Al Hamichyah is recited. If one does not eat a Kezayis of Mezonos grains within Peras, then a Borei Nefashos is recited. Regarding the other ingredients and if a blessing is said: If the Chulent is so cooked down that the ingredients are not individually recognizable, then only the blessing of Mezonos is said. If the other ingredients are individually recognizable, then if they are large, such as a large piece of potato and meat, then an individual blessing of Hadama and Shehakol is to be said over the potato and meat. These blessings should be said first, before the Mezonos. If the meat and potato pieces have broken apart and are small and mixed with the grains, then a blessing is not to be said over them, and one is Yotzei their blessing with the blessing of Mezonos over the grains.
• Couscous: A pasta made from wheat. Mezonos and Al Hamichyah.
• Cream of Wheat– Flour porridge: A North American breakfast porridge made from finely ground wheat. If cooked and thick, then Mezonos and Al Hamichyah. If liquidy and drinkable, then Shehakol and Borei Nefashos.
• Granola cereal – Ha’adama or Mezonos:[6] How its made:[7] Granola is made by mixing oats with ingredients like honey, syrup, oil, nuts, or dried fruits, and then baking or toasting it. Some companies use a two-step process to enhance flavor and create clusters. They first boil the ingredients in liquid, making a porridge like consistency, and only then bake it. Other companies only toast the granola without cooking it before hand in liquid. It is usually not possible to know the method of preparation used by a granola company due to company secrets and their unique techniques proprietary. This creates a major problem regarding verifying its blessing. Some Hashgacha companies for this reason make note of the before blessing on the package, with some of their granola being Ha’adama, and some Mezonos. Its blessing: Granola which is precooked into porridge prior to toasting is Mezonos, while granola which is only toasted or baked in the oven without precooking into porridge before hand, receives the blessing of Ha’adama, as is the rule by all roasted grain.[8] Whatever the case is regarding its before blessing, its after blessing is debated as to whether it is Al Hamichyah or Borei Nefashos.[9] Thus, ideally one is to eat it within a meal [or alternatively according to some[10] say Hadama and Mezonos on a different food and eat enough of those foods to be able to say an after blessing of Al Hamichyah after  eating it.] When eating it out of a meal [and without saying a blessing on other foods] one says Hadama or Mezonos as a before blessing [depending on whether is precooked or not] and Borei Nefashos as an after blessing.[11]
• Granola bars:[12] How its made: Granola bars are granola cereal ingredients which are baked to bind the ingredients into a solid bar. While granola cereal is typically just mixed and toasted without pressing, resulting in a loose, crumbly texture, granola bars go through a binding process which makes bars more compact. It is typically bound using ingredients like honey or syrup, plus a bit of oil or butter. The ingredients are pressed into a pan, baked and then cut into bars. Its blessing: Some recite the blessing of Mezonos and Al Hamichyah, on granola bars, as the grains are stuck to each other and is hence similar to the blessing of porridge.[13] Others however recite the blessing of Hadama and Borei Nefashos being that they are baked and not cooked.[14] Practically, one who desires to be stringent should eat it within a meal, or after saying Mezonos and Hadama on two different foods, making sure to eat enough of an amount so one can say an after blessing of both Borei Nefashos and Al Hamichyah.
• Kneidlach – Matzah balls: See Chapter 8 Halacha 23.
• Oatmeal Porridge: If the porridge was cooked together with the water or milk then its blessing is Mezonos and Al Hamichya. If, however, one simply mixed oatmeal with milk and did not cook it, then seemingly even if one let it soak and it sticks to each other like porridge, it remains Hadama and Borei Nefashos.[15] However, some Poskim[16] write one is to say Mezonos and Al Hamichya in such a case.
• Oatmeal cookies: Oatmeal cookies are Mezonos and Al Hamichya. This applies even if made with legume flour, and certainly if made with five grain flour.
• Puffed wheat cereal:[17] How its made: Whole kernels of wheat are heated under high pressure until it puffs up. It is then toasted lightly for extra crunch. Its blessing: Its before blessing is Ha’adama as all roasted grain, however its after blessing is debated as to whether it is Al Hamichyah or Borei Nefashos. Hence, ideally one is to eat it within a meal [or alternatively according to some[18] say Hadama and Mezonos on a different food and eat enough of those foods to be able to say an after blessing of Al Hamichyah after  eating it]. When eating it out of a meal [and without saying a blessing on other foods] one says Hadama as a before blessing and Borei Nefashos as an after blessing.[19]
• Seitan [meat substitute]:
• Toasted wheat: Ha’adama, and Borei Nefashos when eaten out of a meal.
• Wheat Berries: Whole, unprocessed kernels of wheat that are simply boiled. Mezonos and Al Hamichyah if the kernels stick together, or are broken to pieces.

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[1] Piskeiy Teshuvos 208:3

[2] As the grains do not stick to each other [Seder 1:8] and so would apply even according to the M”B [as rules Piskeiy Teshuvos 208:3] being that the grains are still whole.

[3] Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid. VetTzaruch Iyun as Admur does not give this option, rather stating that when eating it out of a meal one is to say Borei Nefashos, and does not mention also eating Mezonos. In Sefer Habrachos in English, as well as the Seder Birchas Haneehnin in English, this option is also not given. Rather they say to eat it within a meal, and when not doing so to say hadama and borei Nefashos.

[4] Luach Rav Alyashvili

[5] Brachos in English p. 65; Luach of Brachos by Rav Prus [Chazak print] and of Rav Alyashvili

Sources: See regarding the various opinions on cooked grains and that according to all the grains are Mezonos if they stick to each other: Seder Birchas Hanehnin 1:8; Luach 1:7; Admur 202:12; Michaber 208:2 and 4; Piskeiy Teshuvos 208:3; 212:6; See regarding the laws of Ikkur Vitafel with Mezonos: Admur Seder 3:2; Luach 4:2; Admur 168:9 and 11; 212:1; Michaber 208:2; M”A 212:1; Rav Kahana Brachos 36b and Rava Brachos 37b; See regarding if large other ingredients are Tafel to Mezonos: Not Tafel-say separate blessing: Chayeh Adam 51:13, brought in Biur Halacha 212 “Im”; Aruch Hashulchan 212:2 [No]; Keren Ledavid O.C. 54; Beir Moshe 5:56; Teshuvos Vehanhagos 2:146; Piskeiy Teshuvos 212:6 footnote 43; Are Tafel-Only Mezonos: P”M; Derech Hachaim; Biur Halacha 212 “Im”; Keser Rosh  Hilchos Seuda 76; Otzer Hachaim Parshas Vayeilech and Shulchan  Hatahor 204:20-21; Aruch Hashulchan 212:18; Birchas Habayis 12:12; See Piskeiy Teshuvos 212:6 See regarding blessing of Chulent: Luach of Brachos by Rav Prus [Chazak print] and of Rav Alyashvili write it is Mezonos and Al Hamichyah; Other Luchos write its Hadama and Borei Nefashos; Piskeiy Teshuvos 208:8

Explanation: The blessing of Chulent is dependent on a) its ingredients, b) how liquidy it is, and c) if the ingredients have disintegrated into each other or if they remain large and individually recognizable. Now, although there exist many opinions regarding if cooked 5 grains are Hadama or Mezonos, everyone agrees that if the grains cook to the point that they stick to each other, then they are Mezonos. Thus, if the ingredients contain one of the 5 grains, then if the Chulent has cooked down to the point that the grains stick to each other than the blessing of Mezonos is to be recited on the grains. Now, regarding if other blessings are to be said, ideally whenever there is Mezonos in a cooked dish it is considered the Ikkur and exempts all the other ingredients which are the Tafel. However, many Achronim explain that this is dependent on if the other ingredients are individually recognizable, disintegrated, or large piece, and hence we concluded as above.

[6] See Madrich Eida Hachareidis; Piskeiy Teshuvos 208:3 and 8 footnote 67; Vezos Habracha p. 103 and Beirurim 27; Shaareiy Habracha 16:9

[7] Madrich Eida Hachareidis

Background of its manufacturing: Granola is made by mixing oats with ingredients like honey or syrup, oil, and often nuts or dried fruits, then baking it. The sugars in the honey or syrup help the oats and other ingredients stick together. While baking, the mixture clumps up, forming clusters. As it cools, it hardens, and you can break it into smaller pieces, but some clusters usually remain. Now, some granola companies do a two-step process: they first combine the ingredients and cook them together in a sort of binding mix (like honey or syrup), and then they toast it to get that crispy texture. This method helps to unify the flavors and create clusters. This two-step process often helps in caramelizing the sweeteners, like honey or syrup, creating richer flavors and a more cohesive granola cluster. Some companies use a method where they boil the granola ingredients in water or another liquid before baking or toasting. This technique can help blend flavors thoroughly and soften harder ingredients like grains or dried fruits. The liquid partially cooks the granola, which can lead to a chewier texture and helps the flavors meld together before the final crisping in the oven. It contains a porridge consistency before it’s baked. The mixture is wet and combined, similar to a thick oatmeal. This helps the ingredients stick together, forming clusters as it bakes and dries out in the oven. The result is granola with a mix of crunchy clusters and looser bits, offering a varied texture and flavor in each bite.

[8] Madrich Eida Hachareidis; Piskeiy Teshuvos 208:3 and 8 footnote 67; Vezos Habracha p. 103 Beirurim 27; Shaareiy Habracha 16:9

Other opinions: See Luach of Rav Alyashvili who writes the blessing on Granola is Mezonos. Perhaps this is because the grains stick together when they are baked [due to the honey or maple syrup etc], or due to their being in pieces. Vetzaruch Iyun, as everyone else writes Ha’adama on toasted and baked granola cereal, as the concept of sticking together and broken pieces only applies by boiled grains and not by toasted grains. [See Igros Moshe 4:46; Piskeiy Teshuvos 208 footnote 62

The reason: As Granola does not stick together during its baking process, on the contrary it hardens and separates from the other grains. It as well does not break apart into pieces. It thus remains Ha’adama.

[9] Piskeiy Teshuvos 208:3 that its first blessing is Hadama while its after blessing is disputed; “Brachos” book in English;

Its after blessing is disputed as explained above in Admur, and one is to thus eat it within a meal as rules Admur. [So rules also Piskeiy Teshuvos 208:3 that its first blessing is Hadama while its after blessing is disputed. So rules also “Brachos” book in English.]

[10] Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid. VetTzaruch Iyun as Admur does not give this option, rather stating that when eating it out of a meal one is to say Borei Nefashos, and does not mention also eating Mezonos. In Sefer Habrachos in English, as well as the Seder Birchas Hanehnin in English, this option is also not given. Rather they say to eat it within a meal, and when not doing so to say Hadama and Borei Nefashos.

 [11] As rules Admur Seder 1:8

[12] See Michaber 208:2 and 4; Seder 1:8; Luach 1:7; Admur 202:12; Piskeiy Teshuvos 208:8

[13] Luach of Brachos by Rav Prus [Chazak print]; Rav Alyashvili write it is Mezonos and Al Hamichyah; See Piskeiy Teshuvos 208:8

[14] Many Luchos write its Hadama and Borei Nefashos; See Piskeiy Teshuvos 208:8

[15] So is implied from Admur and Poskim ibid who all write the case to be discussing if the food was cooked. See also Michaber 208:4 and Olas Tamid 208:3 and Mamar Mordechai 208:6, Kaf Hachaim 208:21 that when eating raw grain, it is never Mezonos even if the grain was crushed and added to liquid.

[16] Rav SZ”A in Vezos Habracha Beirurim 27:9; Piskeiy Teshuvos 208:8; Luach of Rav Prus

[17] See Piskeiy Teshuvos 208:8

[18] Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid. Vetzaruch Iyun as Admur does not give this option, rather stating that when eating it out of a meal one is to say Borei Nefashos, and does not mention also eating Mezonos. In Sefer Habrachos in English, as well as the Seder Birchas Haneehnin in English, this option is also not given. Rather they say to eat it within a meal, and when not doing so to say hadama and borei Nefashos.

[19] As puffed wheat does not stick together during its baking process, on the contrary it hardens and separates from the other grains. It as well does not break apart into pieces. It thus remains Hadama. Although its after blessing is disputed as explained above in Admur, and one is to thus eat it within a meal as rules Admur. [So rules also Piskeiy Teshuvos 208:3 that its first blessing is Hadama while its after blessing is disputed. So rules also “Brachos” book in English, as well as the English Seder Birchas Hanehnin.