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Free, no AIHebrew-English guide 05 of 100

Israeli Flour, in Plain English

How white, whole, spelt and specialty flours differ in Israel.

Israeli flours in bowls: white, whole wheat, semolina, cornmeal and almond flour

Mix-Ups to Avoid

  1. Israel does sell קמח רב תכליתי, or all-purpose flour. Start there for an everyday US recipe, then check protein and intended use for demanding bread, pizza or pastry.
  2. קמח חיטה 80% is high-extraction wheat flour, not 80% protein or automatically a blend of 80% whole-wheat flour and 20% white flour.
  3. קמח תופח contains chemical raising agents. קמח שמרים contains baker's yeast, while a fuller תערובת may contain additional ingredients.
In This Guide33 entries

Everyday Wheat Flour

A bowl of white flour, kemach lavan

On the label or sign

רב תכליתי (קמח לבן)
Multi-purpose white flour
ללא צורך בניפוי
No sifting needed while the approved pack remains sealed and intact

קמח לבן / קמח רב־תכליתיWhite all-purpose flour

kemakh lavan / kemakh rav-takhliti

US English

All-purpose flour

UK English

Plain flour

What it is

קמח לבן is refined white wheat flour. קמח רב תכליתי is the clearest everyday choice for a US recipe that calls for all-purpose flour.

The difference

White flour is a broad description, not one fixed specification. The protein figure and stated use can differ between bags.

Common mistake

Do not assume Israel lacks all-purpose flour or that every bag marked לבן has the same strength.

On the label or sign

405
The flour type on the exact bag
לבן בהיר
Pale white

קמח חיטה לבן בהיר 405Pale white flour 405

kemakh khita lavan bahir 405

US English

A pale all-purpose or pastry flour

UK English

A pale plain flour

What it is

קמח חיטה לבן בהיר 405 is a pale white flour milled from the innermost part of the kernel. The cited product is intended for general baking, rolls, pita, laminated dough and yeast pastries.

The difference

The number 405 is a type reference, not grams of protein or a universal strength score. The cited product is also described as equivalent to French T45 and Italian 00 for that product only.

Common mistake

Do not read 405 as a universal Israeli strength code or assume every 00 flour behaves the same way.

On the label or sign

650
The flour type on the exact bag

קמח חיטה לבן 650White flour 650

kemakh khita lavan 650

US English

Stronger all-purpose or bread flour

UK English

Strong white bread flour or T65-style flour

What it is

קמח חיטה לבן 650 is a slightly darker white flour with higher absorption. The cited product is sold for general use, especially bread.

The difference

The cited 650 flour has a different specification from ordinary white flour. The number belongs to the exact mill specification and should not be transferred to every brand.

Common mistake

Do not assume a bag marked לבן is ordinary low or medium protein plain flour.

On the label or sign

תופח
Self-raising

קמח תופחSelf-raising flour

kemakh tofeakh

US English

Self-rising flour

UK English

Self-raising flour

What it is

קמח תופח is white wheat flour with chemical raising agents already mixed in. Current cited products say no additional baking powder is needed.

The difference

קמח תופח is not flour with baker's yeast. A US self-rising formula may also contain salt, so formulas are not always identical.

Common mistake

Do not add the recipe's full baking powder again or confuse קמח תופח with yeast flour.

A bowl of whole wheat flour, kemach male

On the label or sign

מלא
Whole
100%
All parts of the wheat kernel

קמח חיטה מלא 100%100% whole-wheat flour

kemakh khita male me'a akhuz

US English

100% whole-wheat flour

UK English

Wholemeal flour

What it is

קמח חיטה מלא 100% contains all parts of the wheat kernel. Bran and germ change hydration, texture and dough structure.

The difference

Whole-wheat protein alone does not predict the same behavior as white bread flour. The label 100% separates whole wheat from lighter 80% flour.

Common mistake

Do not treat מלא and 80% as synonyms or replace white flour without allowing for different hydration and texture.

On the label or sign

80%
At least 80% of whole kernel components retained

קמח חיטה 80%80% wheat flour

kemakh khita shemonim akhuz

US English

High-extraction or brown wheat flour

UK English

Brown or high-extraction flour

What it is

קמח חיטה 80% retains at least 80% of the whole wheat kernel, including bran and germ, with some bran removed. The flour gives a lighter result than 100% whole wheat.

The difference

The 80% describes retained kernel components in the cited products. The number does not mean protein or automatically describe an 80% whole flour and 20% white flour recipe.

Common mistake

Do not call קמח חיטה 80% wholemeal or read the percentage as protein.

Spelt Flour

A bowl of spelt flour, kemach kusmin, with spelt grains

On the label or sign

כוסמין לבן
White spelt
כוסמין - גלוטן
Spelt gluten

קמח כּוּסְמִין לבןWhite spelt flour

kemakh kusmin lavan

US English

White spelt flour

UK English

White spelt flour

What it is

קמח כוסמין לבן is refined spelt flour with the bran and germ removed. White spelt contains spelt gluten.

The difference

White spelt behaves more like white flour than whole spelt. White, 70%, 80% and 100% whole spelt are separate products.

Common mistake

Do not buy כוסמין as gluten-free flour or confuse כוסמין with כוסמת, which is buckwheat.

On the label or sign

כוסמין 70%
70% high-extraction spelt

קמח כּוּסְמִין 70%70% spelt flour

kemakh kusmin shiv'im akhuz

US English

High-extraction spelt flour

UK English

High-extraction spelt flour

What it is

The cited קמח כוסמין 70% is whole-kernel spelt sifted until 70% of the original bran and germ remain. The flour is lighter than 100% whole spelt and still contains gluten.

The difference

The percentage convention belongs to the exact product. Other partly sifted spelt flour may say 80% instead.

Common mistake

Do not assume every partly sifted spelt flour says 80% or read 70% as protein.

On the label or sign

כוסמין 80%
80% high-extraction spelt

קמח כּוּסְמִין 80%80% spelt flour

kemakh kusmin shemonim akhuz

US English

High-extraction spelt flour

UK English

High-extraction spelt flour

What it is

קמח כוסמין 80% contains at least 80% of the whole spelt kernel. The flour is lighter than 100% whole spelt and still contains gluten.

The difference

קמח כוסמין 80% is neither white spelt nor 100% whole spelt. The percentage must be read from the exact bag.

Common mistake

Do not treat קמח כוסמין 80% as white spelt or 100% whole spelt.

On the label or sign

כוסמין מלא
Whole spelt
100%
Complete spelt kernel

קמח כּוּסְמִין מלא 100%100% whole-spelt flour

kemakh kusmin male me'a akhuz

US English

100% whole-spelt flour

UK English

Wholemeal spelt flour

What it is

קמח כוסמין מלא 100% is ground from the complete spelt kernel. Whole spelt contains gluten.

The difference

Whole spelt has different handling characteristics from ordinary wheat flour. A protein number alone does not guarantee a strong wheat-bread dough.

Common mistake

Do not assume whole spelt is gluten-free or use whole spelt as a direct strong bread flour replacement.

Purpose Made Wheat Flour

On the label or sign

לחם
Bread

קמח לחםBread flour

kemakh lekhem

US English

Bread flour

UK English

Strong white bread flour

What it is

קמח לחם is white wheat flour selected for stronger gluten development and yeasted bread. The intended use matters alongside the nutrition panel.

The difference

An Israeli bread flour does not automatically match the protein percentage of a familiar US or UK bread flour. Different demanding doughs may need a stronger specified flour.

Common mistake

Do not assume the words bread flour guarantee the same protein and performance across countries or brands.

On the label or sign

חלה
Challah
תערובת
Mix

קמח חלהChallah flour

kemakh khalla

US English

Strong flour for enriched dough

UK English

Strong white flour for enriched dough

What it is

קמח חלה is purpose-made white wheat flour for braided challah and other enriched yeast doughs. The cited plain flour is designed for elasticity and easier braiding.

The difference

Plain challah flour still needs the recipe's yeast, salt, sugar, fat and liquid. A תערובת or קמח שמרים may already contain yeast or other ingredients.

Common mistake

Do not assume every bag with a challah picture contains plain flour only.

On the label or sign

עוגות
Cakes

קמח עוגותCake flour

kemakh ugot

US English

Cake flour

UK English

Low-protein cake or sponge flour

What it is

קמח עוגות is soft-wheat, lower-gluten flour for tender cakes and batters. The cited product is plain wheat flour.

The difference

US cake flour may differ in treatment and specification. The purpose name does not mean that baking powder is included.

Common mistake

Do not assume קמח עוגות is self-raising flour without checking the ingredients.

On the label or sign

עוגיות
Cookies

קמח עוגיותCookie flour

kemakh ugiyot

US English

Pastry or cookie flour

UK English

Soft plain or pastry flour

What it is

קמח עוגיות is a relatively low-gluten wheat flour intended for shortcrust and cookies. The purpose name describes milling and blending performance.

The difference

The cited cookie flour is wheat flour, not a sweetened mix. Fat, sugar and leavener are not implied by the word עוגיות.

Common mistake

Do not treat קמח עוגיות as a complete cookie mix.

On the label or sign

פיצה
Pizza
00
A refinement category, not a fixed strength

קמח פיצה / קמח 00Pizza and 00 flour

kemakh pitsa / kemakh zero-zero

US English

Pizza flour or Italian-style 00

UK English

Pizza and pasta flour or 00

What it is

קמח 00 describes a highly refined soft-wheat category, not one fixed dough strength. A pizza flour may state a separate W value, protein figure or fermentation window.

The difference

A cited local pizza flour is both 00-equivalent and separately specified as strong flour for long cold fermentation. The 00 label alone does not promise the same strength.

Common mistake

Do not buy any 00 flour for any pizza or assume 00 means high protein.

On the label or sign

T63
The exact specialty type
ארטיזן
Artisan

T63 / קמח ארטיזןT63 and artisan flour

T sixty-three / kemakh artisan

US English

Artisan bread flour

UK English

French-style T63 or artisan bread flour

What it is

T63 and קמח ארטיזן are specialty bread products rather than names for ordinary white flour. The cited artisan product includes inactive yeast, treatment agents and enzymes.

The difference

The front name does not fully describe composition. T63 and artisan flour should be judged by the exact ingredients and stated use.

Common mistake

Do not substitute a specialty artisan flour as though the name guarantees unmodified plain flour.

On the label or sign

מניטובה
Manitoba

מניטובה לבןWhite Manitoba flour

Manitoba lavan

US English

High-gluten flour

UK English

Very strong white flour

What it is

מניטובה לבן is a very strong Canadian-wheat flour. The cited product is intended for high-hydration and fat-rich doughs or for strengthening a blend.

The difference

Manitoba flour is a specialist tool rather than the default bread flour. The strong flour can produce a thirstier dough than all-purpose flour.

Common mistake

Do not use Manitoba flour as ordinary all-purpose flour without a recipe that needs very strong flour.

On the label or sign

שמרים
Yeast
תערובת
Mix
רק מוסיפים מים
Just add water

קמח שמרים / תערובת ... רק מוסיפים מיםYeast flour and baking mix

kemakh shemarim / ta'arovet

US English

Yeast-added flour or baking mix

UK English

Yeast-added flour or bread mix

What it is

קמח שמרים has baker's yeast already incorporated. A תערובת may also contain salt or other formulation ingredients, and some mixes say only water must be added.

The difference

Yeast-added flour is entirely different from chemically self-raising קמח תופח. Formulas vary from flour plus yeast to near-complete mixes.

Common mistake

Do not add a full separate dose of yeast or follow a generic substitution ratio without reading the bag.

Other Wheat And Rye

A bowl of whole rye flour, kemach shipon, with rye grains

On the label or sign

שיפון מלא
Whole rye

קמח שיפון מלאWhole rye flour

kemakh shipon male

US English

Whole rye flour

UK English

Wholemeal rye flour

What it is

קמח שיפון מלא is ground from the whole rye kernel. Whole rye contains gluten and forms a stickier, denser dough than wheat flour.

The difference

Whole rye is used for rye loaves, sourdough or blends with wheat flour. Lower gluten performance does not make rye gluten-free.

Common mistake

Do not treat rye like wheat bread flour or assume rye is gluten-free.

On the label or sign

איינקורן מלא
Whole einkorn
אמר מלא
Whole emmer

קמח איינקורן מלא / קמח אמר מלאWhole einkorn and emmer

kemakh einkorn male / kemakh emmer male

US English

Whole einkorn or whole emmer flour

UK English

Wholemeal einkorn or emmer flour

What it is

קמח איינקורן מלא and קמח אמר מלא are heritage wheat flours that contain gluten. The cited whole einkorn has weak, less-stable gluten and makes softer, stickier dough.

The difference

Heritage wheat is not a drop-in strong bread flour. The cited whole emmer listing was out of stock when checked on 8 November 2026, which does not prove discontinuation.

Common mistake

Do not treat ancient wheat as gluten-free or use heritage flour as a direct strong bread flour replacement.

On the label or sign

חורסאן מלא 100%
100% whole Khorasan wheat
גלוטן
Gluten

קמח חוֹרָסָן מלא 100%Whole Khorasan flour

kemakh Khorasan male me'a akhuz

US English

Whole Khorasan wheat flour

UK English

Wholemeal Khorasan wheat flour

What it is

קמח חורסאן מלא 100% is whole flour from Khorasan wheat. Khorasan is an ancient wheat that contains gluten.

The difference

Kamut may appear as a trade name in an English recipe. A high protein figure does not make Khorasan interchangeable with strong modern bread flour.

Common mistake

Do not assume ancient Khorasan wheat is gluten-free or shop by protein alone.

A bowl of semolina, solet

On the label or sign

סולת
Semolina
דורום
Durum
סמולינה
Semolina

סולת / סולת דורום / סמולינהSemolina and durum flour

solet / solet durum / semolina

US English

Semolina or durum flour

UK English

Semolina or durum wheat flour

What it is

סולת is coarser milled wheat, often durum. Semolina is used for pasta, couscous, kubbeh, semolina cakes and dusting, and semolina contains gluten.

The difference

Durum semolina can be finer and yellower than ordinary wheat semolina. Semolina is not soft-wheat 00 flour, cornmeal or one fixed texture.

Common mistake

Do not buy yellow semolina as cornmeal or treat semolina and 00 flour as the same product.

Other Flours And Starches

A bowl of cornmeal, kemach tiras, with a dried corn cob

On the label or sign

קמח תירס
Ground maize
פולנטה
Polenta

קמח תירס / פולנטהCorn flour and cornmeal

kemakh tiras / polenta

US English

Corn flour or cornmeal, depending on grind

UK English

Maize flour or polenta

What it is

קמח תירס is ground maize, and the grind may be fine flour or coarser meal. פולנטה identifies a coarser product or use.

The difference

British cornflour normally means cornstarch, not ground maize. Naturally gluten-free maize still needs an explicitly suitable package for a strict gluten-free diet.

Common mistake

Do not assume קמח תירס is cornstarch or that every bag has the same grind.

A bowl of cornstarch, kornflor

On the label or sign

קורנפלור
Cornstarch in US English and cornflour in UK English

קורנפלורCornstarch

kornflor

US English

Cornstarch

UK English

Cornflour

What it is

קורנפלור is purified maize starch used mainly for thickening and tender baking. Cornstarch is not ground whole maize.

The difference

The UK name cornflour commonly means the same maize starch. קמח תירס and polenta are ground maize products instead.

Common mistake

Do not confuse קורנפלור with קמח תירס or polenta.

A bowl of rice flour, kemach orez

On the label or sign

קמח אורז
Rice flour
ללא גלוטן
Gluten-free when explicitly marked

קמח אורזRice flour

kemakh orez

US English

Rice flour

UK English

Rice flour

What it is

קמח אורז is finely ground rice used in gluten-free blends, dusting and thickening. Rice flour lacks wheat gluten and does not work alone as a one-for-one bread flour.

The difference

Rice as a source grain does not prove the retail bag is safe for coeliac disease. The cited white rice flour warns that gluten traces may be present.

Common mistake

Do not assume every rice flour is certified gluten-free or will replace wheat flour alone in yeast bread.

On the label or sign

שיבולת שועל
Oats
ללא גלוטן
Gluten-free when explicitly marked

קמח שיבולת שועלOat flour

kemakh shibolet shu'al

US English

Oat flour

UK English

Oat flour

What it is

קמח שיבולת שועל is ground oats. Oat flour is used in cakes, pancakes, biscuits or as one part of a blend and does not build a wheat-style gluten network.

The difference

Ordinary oat flour is not automatically suitable for coeliac disease. The cited product is explicitly marked gluten and chametz, while gluten-free oats are a separately controlled product.

Common mistake

Do not assume ordinary oat flour is coeliac-safe or expect oat flour to behave like bread flour alone.

A bowl of chickpea flour, kemach chumus, with chickpeas

On the label or sign

חומוס
Chickpea
עדשים
Lentils
אפונה
Peas

קמח חומוסChickpea and pulse flour

kemakh khumus

US English

Chickpea or gram flour

UK English

Gram flour or pulse flour

What it is

קמח חומוס is flour ground from chickpeas. Lentil and pea flours are related pulse flours, and pulse flours do not form wheat-gluten dough.

The difference

Pulse flours add different flavor and structure from wheat flour. A naturally gluten-free legume does not guarantee a gluten-free production line.

Common mistake

Do not replace all-purpose flour one-for-one or rely on the source ingredient alone for gluten-free safety.

A bowl of buckwheat flour, kemach kusemet, with buckwheat groats

On the label or sign

כוסמת
Buckwheat
טף
Teff
ללא גלוטן
Gluten-free when explicitly marked

קמח כּוּסֶמֶת / קמח טףBuckwheat and teff flour

kemakh kusemet / kemakh teff

US English

Buckwheat flour or teff flour

UK English

Buckwheat flour or teff flour

What it is

קמח כוסמת is buckwheat flour, while קמח טף is teff flour. Buckwheat and teff do not form wheat-gluten dough, but retail packs can still carry cross-contact warnings.

The difference

כוסמת means buckwheat, while כוסמין means spelt and contains gluten. The grain name alone does not settle cross-contact safety.

Common mistake

Do not buy spelt when a recipe says buckwheat or assume every buckwheat or teff bag is certified gluten-free.

On the label or sign

דוחן
Millet
סורגום
Sorghum
דורה
Sorghum

קמח דוחן / קמח סורגום (דורה)Millet and sorghum flour

kemakh dokhan / kemakh sorgum (dura)

US English

Millet flour or sorghum flour

UK English

Millet flour or sorghum flour

What it is

קמח דוחן is millet flour, while קמח סורגום or דורה is sorghum flour. Both grains are used in gluten-free blends and neither provides wheat gluten.

The difference

Millet and sorghum are distinct specialty flours rather than cup-for-cup wheat bread flour replacements. Package certification and allergen statements still matter.

Common mistake

Do not treat every unfamiliar קמח as an all-purpose replacement or trust the shelf section as certification.

A bowl of almond flour, kemach shkedim, with whole almonds

On the label or sign

שקדים
Almonds
קוקוס
Coconut

קמח שקדים / קמח קוקוסAlmond and coconut flour

kemakh shkedim / kemakh kokus

US English

Almond flour or coconut flour

UK English

Ground almonds or coconut flour

What it is

קמח שקדים is almond flour, while קמח קוקוס is coconut flour. Both have very different fat, fiber and absorption from wheat flour and neither provides wheat gluten.

The difference

Almond and coconut flour are not direct all-purpose replacements. The exact package must also be checked for allergens and any required Passover certification.

Common mistake

Do not expect equal cup-for-cup behavior or overlook the almond or coconut allergen.

On the label or sign

קמח תפוחי אדמה
Potato flour or starch label
עמילן טפיוקה
Tapioca starch
קמח טפיוקה
Tapioca flour label that may mean tapioca starch

קמח תפוחי אדמה / עמילן טפיוקהPotato and tapioca starch

kemakh tapukhei adama / amilan tapioka

US English

Potato starch or flour; tapioca starch

UK English

Potato starch or flour; tapioca starch

What it is

קמח תפוחי אדמה and עמילן טפיוקה are starchy binders used in gluten-free and Passover baking. Some tapioca packs say קמח טפיוקה instead of עמילן טפיוקה.

The difference

These starches do not behave like wheat flour alone. The shopper-facing potato name can say flour even when the recipe distinction matters.

Common mistake

Do not use either starch as a stand-alone cup-for-cup wheat substitute or confuse potato flour with mashed-potato flakes.

On the label or sign

ללא גלוטן
Gluten-free
תערובת
Blend or mix

קמח רב־תכליתי ללא גלוטן / תערובת ללא גלוטןGluten-free flour blend

kemakh rav-takhliti lelo gluten / ta'arovet lelo gluten

US English

Gluten-free all-purpose blend

UK English

Gluten-free plain flour blend

What it is

קמח רב תכליתי ללא גלוטן is a formulated blend of flours, starches, protein, fiber and gums designed to mimic wheat flour. Formulas differ by product and intended use.

The difference

A cited all-purpose blend is intended as a one-for-one replacement for cakes and pastries, while bread and yeast dough use a different blend. Gluten, wheat allergy and Passover needs require separate package checks.

Common mistake

Do not assume every gluten-free blend has the same formula or that an all-purpose blend is the best bread blend.

A bowl of matzo meal, kemach matsa, with broken matzo

On the label or sign

קמח מצה
Fine matzo meal
פירורי מצה
Coarser matzo crumbs

קמח מצהMatzo meal

kemakh matsa

US English

Matzo meal or finely ground matzo

UK English

Matzo meal

What it is

קמח מצה is ground baked matzo rather than raw flour. Matzo meal behaves like a cooked crumb or meal and is used in Passover cooking and baking.

The difference

Matzo meal is usually wheat-based and contains gluten. Passover food is not automatically gluten-free.

Common mistake

Do not treat קמח מצה as ordinary wheat flour or as gluten-free flour.

Match the English Recipe Term to the Hebrew Label.

Match the English recipe term to the Hebrew label.
Recipe saysLook for in IsraelKeep in mind
US all-purpose flourקמח רב תכליתי (קמח לבן)kemakh rav-takhlitiThe clearest everyday starting point
UK plain flourקמח רב תכליתי (קמח לבן)kemakh rav-takhlitiCheck protein and intended use for demanding recipes
Self-rising or self-raising flourקמח תופחkemakh tofeakhChemical raising agents are already included
100% whole-wheat flourקמח חיטה מלא 100%kemakh khita male me'a akhuzDo not substitute an 80% bag by mistake
Brown or high-extraction wheat flourקמח חיטה 80%kemakh khita shemonim akhuzLighter than 100% whole wheat
White spelt flourקמח כוסמין לבןkemakh kusmin lavanContains gluten
Whole-spelt flourקמח כוסמין מלא 100%kemakh kusmin male me'a akhuzContains the complete spelt kernel and gluten
Bread flourקמח לחםkemakh lekhemCompare the exact protein and stated use
Cake flourקמח עוגותkemakh ugotPlain low-protein flour, not automatically self-raising
Pizza or 00 flourקמח פיצה / קמח 00kemakh pitsa / kemakh zero-zeroCheck strength and intended fermentation as well as 00
Semolina or durum flourסולת דורום / סמולינהsolet durum / semolinaNot the same as 00 flour or cornmeal
CornstarchקורנפלורkornflorNot קמח תירס or polenta

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How we checked this guide

By the baba team. Checked on against 59 sources, mostly Israeli retailers, manufacturers and government pages, and updated . Products, labels and rules change, so check the pack or the office before you rely on a detail. Our methodology.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there all-purpose flour in Israel?

Yes. Look for קמח רב תכליתי (קמח לבן). The cited Israeli product is a reasonable everyday choice, but exact protein and performance can differ from a familiar US or UK flour.

Is קמח תופח the same as self-raising flour?

Yes. קמח תופח is white wheat flour with chemical raising agents already mixed in. קמח תופח is not yeast flour, and a US self-rising formula may also contain salt.

What does 80% flour mean in Israel?

קמח חיטה 80% retains at least 80% of the whole wheat kernel in the cited products. The percentage does not mean protein or automatically mean a blend of 80% whole-wheat flour and 20% white flour.

Is כוסמין gluten-free?

No. כוסמין is spelt and contains gluten. כוסמת is buckwheat, but a buckwheat bag still needs explicit gluten-free marking for strict cross-contact safety.

Does 00 mean strong pizza flour?

No. 00 describes refinement rather than one fixed strength. Check the exact bag's protein, W value when supplied, stated use and intended fermentation window.

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