12. Ikkur Vitafel – Foods that contain flour and Mezonos ingredients within them:

Blessing laws relating to foods that contain a number of ingredients which may include flour of the five grains, or kernels of the five grains, will be elaborated on in chapter 18 in the laws of Ikkur Vitafel, which is the chapter dealing with primary and secondary foods. The following is a synopsis on the subject, however see chapter 18 for the full details of the laws and examples of foods and their corresponding blessing:

Foods Containing Flour Ingredients – Before blessing:^[1] Whenever five grain flour is included in the ingredients of a food for taste or satiation (as per Chapter 18 Halacha 4), it is considered the primary ingredient, even if the majority of the product is non-flour. This applies even if the flour is only intended to enhance the flavor and satiation of the main food. Accordingly, all Poskim agree that one should recite Mezonos over such foods. If however the flour is used to only add texture or color but not for taste or satiation, then the flour is considered secondary to the food and receives the blessing first and after the primary food. If however one intends to eat the flour also for satiation, then it is considered Mezonos and Al Hamichyah even if the main food is not the flour.

Foods Containing Flour Ingredients – After blessing:^[2] There is a debate on when to recite Al Hamichya on such foods that contain flour ingredients and thereby receive the before blessing of Mezonos. Some Poskim^[3] say it’s sufficient if you eat a Kezayis of the dish in total to recite Al Hamichya. This applies even if the dish does not contain a Kezayis [27 grams] of 5 grain flour within Achilas Peras [174 grams].^[4] However, other Poskim^[5] require there to be in the dish a Kezayis of flour within Achilas Peras for it to be Al Hamichya even if one eats a Kezayis. Furthermore, some Poskim^[6]  rule that one must consume the total of a Kezayis of flour within a Peras in order to recite Al Hamichya. Given the dispute, we follow the principle of Safek Berachos Lehakel.^[7] Nevertheless if there isn’t a Kezayis of flour within Achilas Peras then initially, due to the above dispute, one is to only eat [a Kezayis of] this food within a meal.^[8] Alternatively, 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.^[9]

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[1] 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; Ketzos Hashulchan 58:2-5 

[2] 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; Ketzos Hashulchan 58:2

[3] 1^st and Stam opinion in Admur Seder 8:3; Ruling of Admur in Shulchan Aruch 168:11 in parentheses; Ruling of Admur in Seder 3:2 regarding Mezonos according to all; See Admur 442:9 and Kuntrus Achron 442 6-8; Tosafus Chulin 98b; Rabbeinu Chaim brought in Rosh 7:31 Kaf Hachaim 208:53 in name of Mateh Yehuda 208:4; Mamar Mordechai 208:15

[4] 1^st opinion in Admur Seder 8:4 and 3:2; Michaber ibid; Rabbeinu Yona; M”A 208:15

[5] 2^nd opinion in Admur Seder 8:4 and 3:2

[6] 2^nd opinion in Admur ibid; See Kuntrus Achron 442 6-8; Raavad; Rashba Toras Habayis 4:1; Peri Chadash 442:1; P”M 208 A”A 15; Kaf Hachaim 208:53 in name of Perach Shushan 1:3; Erech Hashulchan 208:4; Beis Efraim 13; Shaareiy Teshuvah 208:12; Gr”a; Derech Hachaim

[7] Kaf Hachaim 208:”53

[8] Seder 8:4

[9] Admur Seder 3:3; Ketzos Hashulchan 59 footnote 7