Kitniyos

ACCORDING TO THE Torah, the prohibition of eating chometz on Pesach is limited to the five grains: wheat, barley, spelt, oats, and rye. However, the Ashkenazi minhag is to prohibit kitniyos, as well.

The exact criteria for defining kitniyos is not entirely clear from the Poskim. Some guidelines include:

• Something that can be made into flour and resemble bread.
• Something that grows in a pod, like grain.
• Food that is eaten as seeds.
• Plants that grow near grain and may have grain mixed in.

Some Poskim rule that any food that was not available during the time this minhag was accepted is permitted.

Kitniyos List:
OK Kosher considers the following plants kitniyos:
Alfalfa Seeds, Amaranth, Beans, Buckwheat, Canola, Caraway, Cardamom, Chickpeas, Corn, Edamame, Fennel Seed, Fenugreek, Flaxseed, Green Beans, Hemp, Hilba Seeds, Kimmel, Lentils, Linseed, Millet, Mustard, Peanuts, Peas, Poppy Seed, Rice, Sesame, Sorghum, Soy, Sunflower, and Teff.

Cloves and Saffron are not kitniyos, but the minhag is to avoid them on Pesach. Cumin is also not kitniyos, but many, especially Chassidim, are strict about not using it.

Non-Kitniyos List:
The following products are not kitniyos and may be used lechatchila:
Almonds, Apricot Kernel, Brazil Nut, Carob, Cashew, Celery Seed, Cinnamon, Clover, Coconut, Coffee Beans, Coriander, Cottonseed, Dill Seed, Fennel, Filbert, Garlic, Guar Gum, Hazelnut, Licorice, Locust Bean Gum, Maca Root, Nutmeg, Pepita, Pine Nuts, Peppercorns (Black/White), Pumpkin Seeds, Quinoa, Rosemary, Safflower, Star Anise, Stevia, Sumac, Tamarind, Tiger Nut, Turmeric, Watermelon Seeds.

Note regarding cottonseed: In America, most Rabbonim do not consider cottonseed to be kitniyos because there was no way to make oil from it during the time of the Chachomim. Most Poskim and kashrus agencies in Eretz Yisrael do consider it kitniyos and will not certify it for Pesach. (Shu’t Minchas Yitzchok 3:138:2 and 4:114:3)

Kitniyos Shenishtanu:
Some hold that kitniyos that are processed to the point of molecular change no longer have the status of kitniyos and are permitted on Pesach. However, OK Kosher does not accept this leniency and will not certify products containing kitniyos shenishtanu for Pesach; they will be certified as kitniyos or kitniyos shenishtanu.

Potential Kitniyos Shenishtanu List
The following ingredients may be kitniyos shenishtanu. One should consult their Rav about eating foods that contain these ingredients, even when they are certified for Pesach by a kashrus agency that permits kitniyos shenishtanu.

Aspartame, Glucono-Delta-Lactone, Maltol, Citric Acid, L-Alanine, Polysorbate, Ethyl Maltol, L-Aspartic Acid, Xanthan Gum.