Chapter 11: Blessing on Legumes, Crop Seeds, and grains – Mezonos, Ha’adama, Shehakol

1. The general rule – Grains versus legumes versus seeds:

Kernels and seeds may be defined as a grain, legume, or seed, and can have either the blessing of Shehakol, Ha’adama, or Mezonos. This depends on a number of factors including, the species and how it is prepared. For example, as we learned in length in chapters 8 through 10, a food that is made of the five grains can potentially become Mezonos or Hamotzi depending on how it is made. All other species that are not of the five grains can never become Mezonos or Hamotzi, with the exception to rice, which theoretically is Mezonos [but not Al Hamichya], although practically is under question as will be explained in Halacha 4. The blessing on non-five grain kernels is either Shehakol or Ha’adama, depending on how it is made, as will be explained in Halacha 3.

2. Five grains – Wheat, spelt, barley, oats, rye:

A food that is made of the five grains can potentially become Mezonos or Hamotzi depending on how it is made [i.e. boiled versus baked kernels, and cooked or baked goods of dough] as we learned in length in chapters 8 through 10. Its blessing can likewise be Ha’adama, as we ruled regarding puffed wheat in Chapter 10. Its blessing can even be Shehakol, such as wheat flour that is added to a very liquidy protein shake as we ruled in Chapter 10.

Raw wheat:

Ground:[1] Raw wheat that has been ground is Shehakol even if it still has choppy pieces of flour and tastes like wheat.

Whole:[2] Whole wheat kernels are Ha’adama. This applies according to all opinions as the main use of grains is for bread and hence while ground it loses its blessing.

3. Legumes, pulses, cereal grains, & crop seeds, [i.e. lentils, beans, chickpeas, buckwheat, corn, sunflower seeds, quinoa]:[3]

All species that are not of the five grains, whether they are defined as cereal grains [i.e. corn], or as legumes [i.e. Beans, Lentils, Peas, Chickpeas, Soybeans, peanuts], or as crop seeds [Sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, sesame seeds, and chia seeds], is either Shehakol or Ha’adama depending on how it is made, with the exception to rice and millet which will be explained in Halacha 4.

Cooked – Whole or cracked legumes or seeds:[4] Cooked whole kernels or crop seeds receive the blessing of Ha’adama and Borei Nefashos. This applies even if they have become partially disintegrated due to the cooking, so long as they remain partially whole. Likewise, if the kernels have been chopped to pieces [i.e. cracked kernels], but not ground into flour, their blessing remains Ha’adama. If due to the cooking the legumes have disintegrated to the point they are no longer recognizable then they are Shehakol.[5]

Cooked – Ground legumes or seeds [i.e. course and fine flour]:[6] Cooked ground kernels or crop seeds receive the blessing of Shehakol and Borei Nefashos. Hence, all legume bread, legume crackers, and legume porridge from ground legumes is Shehakol. This applies even if the kernels are not finely ground and certainly if the kernels have been ground into flour. However, if the kernels have not been finely ground and hence course pieces of kernel flour remain, then Bedieved one fulfills his obligation with the blessing of Ha’adama, even though initially the blessing remains Shehakol.[7]

Mashed cooked legumes:[8] Whole legumes which have been cooked and then mashed using a spoon are Ha’adama, being that they still retain their appearance, and it is a common way of eating. However, if one mashes them using a spoon masher that contains perforations, that it’s blessing is Shehakol.

Roasted or puffed:[9] Puffed whole kernels or crop seeds receive the blessing of Ha’adama and Borei Nefashos if it is common to eat them in this method. [Thus, popcorn is Ha’adama.[10]] Otherwise, their blessing is Shehakol.

Raw:[11] Raw kernels or seeds which are not edible do not receive a blessing upon being eaten. If edible [i.e. raw flax or chia seeds], then their blessing is Ha’adama and Borei Nefashos.

Seeds of fruits and vegetables [i.e. watermelon seeds, pumpkin seeds]:[12] The above law which states that seeds receive the blessing of Ha’adama refers only to crop seeds which are seeds that grow from plants that are primarily harvested for the sake of their seed. However, seeds of fruits and vegetables which are a secondary product of fruit cultivation receive the blessing of Shehakol, unless the seeds are also naturally sweet and fit for eating just like the fruit itself. If however the seeds are inedible and only become fit for eating upon roasting them, then no blessing is said upon eating them raw while the blessing of Shehakol is recited when eating them roasted.

Blessing chart for legume and seed-based products

[1] Seder 7:22-23; Admur 202:17; Ketzos Hashulchan 52:3

[2] Seder 7:23

[3] See Seder 1:10; 7:22 and 24; Luach 1:8-9; 10:24; Admur 202:17; 24;

[4] Seder 1:10 and Michaber 208:8 regarding Millet; M”B 208:38; Ketzos Hashulchan  51:4

[5] Seder 7:22 and 24; Luach 1:8-9; 10:24; Admur 202:17; 24; Ketzos Hashulchan  51:4

[6] Seder 1:10; 7:22 and 24; Luach 1:8-9; 10:24; Admur 202:17; 24; Michaber 208:8; Taz 208:11; Rif Brachos 26a; Rambam Brachos 3:10; Rabbeinu Yona Brachos 26a; Piskeiy Teshuvos 202:21

[7] The law by coarsely ground, versus finely ground into flour: If the kernels have been ground to the point that they turned into flour [i.e. legume crackers or bread], then their blessing is Shehakol according to all opinions. If however they have been coarsely ground and hence pieces of the kernels still remain, then it is disputed amongst the Poskim as to whether the blessing on the cooked dish is Shehakol [1^st opinion in Seder 7:24; Luach 10:24; Admur 202:24] or Ha’adama [2^nd opinion in parentheses in Seder 7:24 based on opinion in Seder 7:22; Luach 10:24; Admur 202:24]. Practically, Safek Brachos Lihakel, and hence its blessing is Shehakol, although if he recited Ha’adama he fulfills his obligation Bedieved. [Seder 7:24; Luach 10:24; Admur 202:24; Rama 202:7; Teurmas Hadeshen 129]

[8] Luach 10:24; Admur 202:17; M”A 202:13; M”B 208:38

[9] Michaber and Rama 208:4 regarding roasted wheat and barley; See Piskeiy Teshuvos 205:5

[10] See Rav Moshe Feinstein, Sefer Torah V’hora’ah 12:13; Vezos Habracha p. 100, 395; Piskeiy Teshuvos 202:16

[11] See Seder 6:3; M”B 202:2; Birchas Habayis 4:16; Vezos Habrcha 20:7Piskeiy Teshuvos 205:3

[12] Seder 6:3; Luach 9:3; Admur 202:8; Michaber 202:3; Rashba Brachos 36b; Ketzos Hashulchan 49 footnote 18

The main difference lies in their cultivation purpose. Seed crops like quinoa are grown specifically for their seeds, whereas fruit seeds are by-products of fruit-bearing plants.

[13] Ketzos Hashulchan 49 footnote 18

[14] Admur 202:17