What does pitzuchim mean in Israel?

פיצוחים is a retail and snack category rather than a botanical word for nuts. Israeli shops use the category for tree nuts, peanuts, seeds, roasted pulses, roasted corn and coated snacks.

What are black seeds and white seeds in Israel?

גרעינים שחורים normally means shell-on sunflower seeds. גרעינים לבנים normally means shell-on pumpkin seeds, but גרעיני חמנייה לבנים is a separate white sunflower product, so read the crop word.

Does טבעי mean raw?

טבעי means natural or plain for a single food with no added ingredients and only permitted processing. טבעי does not guarantee an unheated product, so look for גולמי or לא קלוי when heat matters.

Are pitzuchim kosher for Passover?

A year-round natural, plain or kosher label does not replace the exact Passover marking for the shopper's custom. Chickpeas, corn, peas, soybeans and sunflower seeds are classed as kitniyot in the cited guidance, while peanut practice varies by community.

Can children under five eat whole nuts and seeds?

Israel's Ministry of Health says not to give whole nuts, peanuts or seeds to children under five because of choking risk.

Israeli Nuts and Seeds Guide: Hebrew Names

Shell-On and Hulled Seeds

Shell-on black sunflower seeds, gar'inim shchorim

On the label or sign

שחורים: black seeds
חמנייה: sunflower
בקליפה: in the hull

גרעינים שחורים; גרעיני חמנייה (בקליפה)Shell-on sunflower seeds

garinim shchorim; garinei chamaniya (ba-kelipa)

US English

Shell-on sunflower seeds

UK English

Shell-on sunflower seeds

What it is

גרעינים שחורים is the ordinary Israeli name for sunflower seeds sold in their dark hulls as a cracking snack.

The difference

The dark hull is discarded. On 29 September 2026, a recall covered one 150 g product labelled גרעיני חמנייה קלויים ללא מלח because testing found salt, so check the exact product and dates.

Common mistake

Do not swallow the hull or translate the sign as an unspecified black seed.

White-hulled sunflower seeds, gar'inei chamaniya levanim

On the label or sign

חמנייה: sunflower
לבנים: white

גרעיני חמנייה לבניםWhite sunflower seeds

garinei chamaniya levanim

US English

White sunflower seeds

UK English

White sunflower seeds

What it is

גרעיני חמנייה לבנים is a pale or white sunflower seed product.

The difference

גרעיני חמנייה לבנים is distinct from גרעינים לבנים, which normally means shell-on pumpkin seeds. The word חמנייה identifies sunflower.

Common mistake

Do not assume every product called white seeds is pumpkin.

Shell-on pumpkin seeds, gar'inim levanim

On the label or sign

לבנים: white seeds
דלעת: pumpkin
בקליפה: in the hull

גרעינים לבנים; גרעיני דלעת (בקליפה)Shell-on pumpkin seeds

garinim levanim; garinei dla'at (ba-kelipa)

US English

Shell-on pumpkin seeds

UK English

Shell-on pumpkin seeds

What it is

גרעינים לבנים normally means pumpkin seeds with the pale outer hull still on. The kernel inside is green.

The difference

Shell-on pumpkin seeds are broader and paler than sunflower seeds. Green pepitas are the hulled kernels, so the two forms are different purchases.

Common mistake

Do not expect the small green pepitas used in recipes when buying גרעינים לבנים.

Hulled pumpkin and sunflower kernels, gar'inim klufim

On the label or sign

קלופים: hulled
מקולפת: hulled

גרעיני דלעת קלופים / דלעת מקולפתHulled pumpkin seeds

garinei dla'at klufim / dla'at mekulefet

US English

Hulled pumpkin-seed kernels; pepitas

UK English

Hulled pumpkin seeds

What it is

גרעיני דלעת קלופים are the flat green edible kernels after the pale outer hull has been removed. Shops sell natural or plain and roasted versions.

The difference

Hulled pumpkin seeds are ready to eat without cracking. גרעינים לבנים still include the discarded hull.

Common mistake

Do not treat shell-on pumpkin seeds and green kernels as directly interchangeable by volume.

On the label or sign

אבטיח: watermelon
קליית תנור: oven roast
קליית מחבת: pan roast

גרעיני אבטיחWatermelon seeds

garinei avatiach

US English

Shell-on watermelon seeds

UK English

Shell-on watermelon seeds

What it is

גרעיני אבטיח are watermelon seeds sold as a separate cracking snack. The shells are flat, elongated and grey, brown or black.

The difference

Watermelon seeds may be sold with an oven roast or pan roast. Dark watermelon seeds are not the גרעינים שחורים shorthand for sunflower seeds.

Common mistake

Order watermelon seeds by the word אבטיח instead of calling every dark shell-on seed שחורים.

On the label or sign

טלזה: melon seeds
תלזה: melon seeds
גרעיני מלון: melon seeds

גרעיני מלון / טלזהRoasted melon seeds

garinei melon / talza

US English

Roasted melon seeds

UK English

Roasted melon seeds

What it is

גרעיני מלון are pale melon seeds, usually sold roasted and lightly salted. Israeli sellers also use טלזה for melon seeds.

The difference

טלזה names melon seeds in the cited shop usage. The item is separate from shell-on pumpkin seeds.

Common mistake

Do not treat טלזה as a brand or a pumpkin-seed grade.

On the label or sign

קלופים: hulled
מקולפת: hulled

גרעיני חמנייה קלופים / חמנייה מקולפתHulled sunflower seeds

garinei chamaniya klufim / chamaniya mekulefet

US English

Hulled sunflower kernels

UK English

Hulled sunflower seeds

What it is

גרעיני חמנייה קלופים are the pale edible kernels without the dark hull. The kernels are sold for direct eating, salads or baking.

The difference

Hulled sunflower kernels are ready to use. גרעינים שחורים still have a hull that must be cracked and discarded.

Common mistake

Do not buy גרעינים שחורים for a recipe that expects ready-to-use kernels.

Nuts and Peanut Snacks

On the label or sign

בקליפה: in the shell
מטוגן: fried
מולבן: blanched or skinless

בוטנים; בוטן טבעי / קלוי / מטוגן / בקליפהPeanuts

botnim; boten tivi / kalui / metugan / ba-kelipa

US English

Peanuts; plain, roasted, fried or in shell

UK English

Peanuts; plain, roasted, fried or monkey nuts in shell

What it is

בוטנים are peanuts, which are legumes in the pea and bean family. Israeli pitzuchim shops group peanuts with nuts and seeds.

The difference

בקליפה means the rough tan pod remains. Shelled peanuts may keep the red skin or be מולבנים, which means skinless.

Common mistake

Do not assume טבעי means roasted or that peanuts share the same allergen category as tree nuts.

On the label or sign

קבוקים: cracker nuts
מצופים: coated
בוטנים אמריקאיים: American-style coated peanuts

קבוקים; בוטנים אמריקאיים / מצופיםCoated peanuts

kabukim; botnim amerikayim / metsupim

US English

Cracker nuts; coated peanuts

UK English

Cracker nuts; coated peanuts

What it is

קבוקים are peanuts inside a baked crisp flour coating, sometimes with sesame or seasoning. בוטנים אמריקאיים is an Israeli snack name and does not establish US origin.

The difference

Coated peanuts are round, smooth snack balls rather than bare roasted peanuts. A current example contains wheat flour, and variants may include sesame or soy.

Common mistake

Do not assume קבוקים are plain peanuts, gluten-free or automatically kosher for Passover.

On the label or sign

מולבן: blanched or skinless
פרוס: sliced
מקלות: sticks

שקד טבעי / קלוי; שקדים מולבניםAlmonds

shaked tivi / kalui; shkedim mulbanim

US English

Plain or roasted almonds; blanched almonds

UK English

Plain or roasted almonds; blanched almonds

What it is

שקדים are almonds sold whole as snacks or skinless and cut for cooking and baking. Israeli shops separate natural, roasted, fried and blanched forms.

The difference

מולבן means blanched or skinless. Blanched almonds may be whole, halved, sliced or cut into sticks.

Common mistake

Do not translate מולבן as chemically bleached or buy sliced almonds when a recipe expects whole almonds.

On the label or sign

טבעי: natural or plain
קלוי ומומלח: roasted and salted
מטוגן: fried

קשיו טבעי / קלוי / מטוגןCashews

kashyu tivi / kalui / metugan

US English

Plain, roasted or fried cashews

UK English

Plain, roasted or fried cashews

What it is

קשיו is the familiar curved cashew kernel. Israeli listings separate natural or plain, roasted and fried products.

The difference

Cream-colored kernels may be natural or plain, while roasted or fried kernels may look more golden. טבעי alone does not guarantee that no heat was used.

Common mistake

Do not assume every pale cashew is raw because no shell is visible.

On the label or sign

פיסטוק חלבי: pistachio associated with Aleppo
בקליפה: in the shell
מקולף: shelled

פיסטוק; פיסטוק חלבי; פיסטוק בקליפה / מקולףPistachios

fistuk; fistuk chalabi; fistuk ba-kelipa / mekulaf

US English

Pistachios; in shell or shelled kernels

UK English

Pistachios; in shell or shelled kernels

What it is

פיסטוק חלבי is the Arabic-derived name for pistachio associated with Aleppo, חלב. The word חלבי in the nut name does not mean milk.

The difference

בקליפה has the beige split shell, while מקולף is the green shelled kernel. A recall dated 18 February 2026 covered specified shelled-pistachio products and dates because of excess aflatoxin, and later guidance said unaffected products remained legal to eat.

Common mistake

Do not read חלבי as a dairy kashrut status; check the separate kashrut and allergen statement.

On the label or sign

מלך: walnut
בקליפה: in the shell

אגוז מלך; אגוזי מלךWalnuts

egoz melekh; egozei melekh

US English

Walnuts, usually English or Persian walnuts

UK English

Walnuts

What it is

אגוז מלך is the ordinary Israeli term for a walnut. Shops sell natural kernels and walnuts in the shell.

The difference

Walnut kernels are tan, lobed and irregular. בקליפה means the whole hard shell remains.

Common mistake

Do not translate אגוז מלך literally as king nut or confuse the irregular kernel with a smoother pecan.

On the label or sign

טבעי: natural or plain
קלוי: roasted
מלוח: salted

פקאן טבעי / קלויPecans

pekan tivi / kalui

US English

Plain or roasted pecans

UK English

Plain or roasted pecans

What it is

פקאן טבעי or פקאן קלוי means ordinary pecan halves or pieces. The kernels are long, brown and smoothly ridged.

The difference

Plain or roasted pecan is distinct from the sugared product called פקאן סיני. Labels may also say מלוח or בקליפה.

Common mistake

Do not assume every display marked פקאן is candied.

On the label or sign

סיני: Chinese pecan, the Israeli sweet snack name
מסוכר: candied
מקורמל: caramelized

פקאן סיני / פקאן מסוכר / מקורמלCandied pecans

pekan sini / pekan mesukar / mekurmal

US English

Candied or caramelized pecans

UK English

Candied or caramelised pecans

What it is

פקאן סיני is a prepared sweet pecan product. A current example contains pecans, sugar and canola oil and describes the pecans as caramelized and crisp.

The difference

פקאן סיני is not a separate nut species. The word סיני in the snack name does not reliably state the product's country of origin.

Common mistake

Do not buy פקאן סיני when a recipe calls for unsweetened pecans.

On the label or sign

לוז: hazelnut
בונדוק: hazelnut
מולבן: blanched or skinless

אגוז לוז / בונדוק; מולבן / קלויHazelnuts

egoz luz / bunduk; mulban / kalui

US English

Hazelnuts; filberts

UK English

Hazelnuts

What it is

אגוז לוז and בונדוק are two shop names for hazelnut. Shops sell natural, blanched and roasted or salted forms.

The difference

Natural hazelnuts are small, round and brown. מולבן hazelnuts are pale because the skin has been removed.

Common mistake

Do not treat בונדוק as a different nut or a brand.

On the label or sign

אגוז ברזיל: Brazil nut

אגוז ברזילBrazil nuts

egoz Brazil

US English

Brazil nuts

UK English

Brazil nuts

What it is

אגוז ברזיל is the large, elongated cream kernel with a brown skin edge. Shops carry natural and roasted or salted versions.

The difference

Brazil nuts are much larger than almonds or cashews and are angular or triangular in cross-section. ברזיל is the nut name, not a seasoning style.

Common mistake

Do not assume every Brazil nut product is natural or plain.

On the label or sign

שבור: broken

אגוז מקדמיהMacadamia nuts

egoz makademya

US English

Macadamia nuts

UK English

Macadamia nuts

What it is

אגוז מקדמיה is a round, pale tree nut. Israeli shops carry natural and roasted or salted forms.

The difference

Macadamia kernels may be whole, halved or broken. שבור means broken pieces rather than a different nut.

Common mistake

Do not assume a pale macadamia is raw or that broken pieces are another variety.

On the label or sign

צנובר: pine nut
פיניונס: pignoli or pine nuts

צנובר / צנוברים (פיניונס)Pine nuts

tsnobar / tsnobarim (pinyons)

US English

Pine nuts; pignoli

UK English

Pine nuts

What it is

צנוברים are edible pine seeds sold with nuts. Shops may add the name פיניונס.

The difference

Pine nuts are small, ivory, teardrop-shaped kernels that are usually sold natural and shelled. The English word nut describes the shop use, while the food is a pine seed.

Common mistake

Do not expect an in-shell cracking nut or confuse צנובר with a pine cone.

On the label or sign

קלופים וקלויים: peeled and roasted

ערמונים; ערמונים קלופים וקלוייםChestnuts

armonim; armonim klufim u-kluyim

US English

Chestnuts; peeled roasted chestnuts

UK English

Chestnuts; peeled roasted chestnuts

What it is

Fresh ערמונים are chestnuts associated with the cold season. Ready-to-eat vacuum-packed peeled roasted chestnuts are sold year-round.

The difference

Fresh chestnuts have glossy dark-brown hard shells. Vacuum-packed peeled roasted chestnuts are soft, tan and already cooked.

Common mistake

Do not try to crack the vacuum-packed form or expect the crunch of an almond.

Roasted Pulses and Corn

On the label or sign

קלוי: roasted

חומוס קלויRoasted chickpeas

chumus kalui

US English

Roasted chickpeas; roasted garbanzo beans

UK English

Roasted chickpeas

What it is

חומוס קלוי is whole dry chickpeas roasted into a crunchy snack. Israeli roasteries place roasted chickpeas beside nuts and seeds in the pitzuchim range.

The difference

Roasted chickpeas are beige round peas with a small point. The name חומוס here refers to chickpeas rather than hummus dip.

Common mistake

Do not expect hummus dip or assume every pitzuchim item is a nut.

On the label or sign

בקליפה: in the shell
קלוף: peeled

פול קלוי; פול קלוי בקליפה / פול ירוק קלוףRoasted fava beans

pol kalui; pol kalui ba-kelipa / pol yarok kaluf

US English

Roasted fava beans

UK English

Roasted broad beans

What it is

פול קלוי is roasted fava or broad beans. Shops sell shell-on roasted fava and peeled green fava variants.

The difference

Fava beans are large and flat compared with peas. בקליפה means shell-on, while קלוף means peeled.

Common mistake

Read פול as fava bean in US English and broad bean in UK English for this snack.

On the label or sign

ווסאבי: wasabi

אפונה קלויה; אפונת ווסאביRoasted peas

afuna kluya; afunat wasabi

US English

Roasted peas; wasabi peas

UK English

Roasted peas; wasabi peas

What it is

אפונה קלויה is dry peas roasted plain. אפונת ווסאבי is sold with a wasabi-style coating.

The difference

Roasted peas are small green or tan spheres. The wasabi version is usually brighter green and the exact ingredients vary by product.

Common mistake

Do not assume a bright green coating is the pea's natural color or that wasabi peas contain only peas.

On the label or sign

תירס: corn or maize
קלוי: roasted

תירס קלויRoasted corn kernels

tiras kalui

US English

Corn nuts; toasted corn kernels

UK English

Roasted maize kernels; corn nuts

What it is

תירס קלוי is large dried corn or maize kernels roasted to a hard crunch. Shops sell the ready-to-eat snack as pitzuchim.

The difference

Roasted corn kernels are not breakfast cereal or popcorn. Seasoned versions may be sold alongside the plain snack.

Common mistake

Do not buy popcorn kernels, tinned sweetcorn or cornflakes when a snack calls for תירס קלוי.

On the label or sign

סויה קריספי: crispy soy
חטיף אדממה: edamame snack

חטיף סויה / סויה קריספי / חטיף אדממהCrispy soy snacks

chatif soya / soya krispi / chatif edamame

US English

Crispy soy snack; roasted edamame snack

UK English

Crispy soya snack; roasted edamame snack

What it is

חטיף סויה and חטיף אדממה are ready-to-eat soy-based crunchy snacks. Current roasteries place crispy soy and edamame snacks inside pitzuchim.

The difference

The product may be crisp beans or manufactured crunchy pieces. The ingredient list identifies the exact form.

Common mistake

Do not expect the green steamed edamame pods or treat crispy soy as an unprocessed nut.

Mixes and Coatings

A mixed bowl of roasted nuts and snacks, mix pitzuchim

On the label or sign

מעורב קלוי: roasted mix
מיקס פיצוחים: pitzuchim mix

מעורב קלוי / מיקס פיצוחיםRoasted nut and seed mix

meurav kalui / miks pitzuchim

US English

Roasted nut-and-seed mix

UK English

Roasted nut-and-seed mix

What it is

מעורב קלוי or מיקס פיצוחים is a mix assembled by the seller or manufacturer. Shops sell plain roasted mixes, no-salt mixes and mixes with fruit or seasoning.

The difference

The name does not define one fixed recipe. Read or ask for the exact contents, salt and allergens.

Common mistake

Do not treat מיקס פיצוחים as a complete ingredient list.

On the label or sign

תערובת חטיפים: snack mix

מאנצ׳יס / מנצ׳ס / תערובת חטיפיםSnack mix

manchis / mantses / taarovet chatifim

US English

Snack mix; munchies mix

UK English

Snack mix

What it is

מאנצ׳יס is a savory crunchy mixture sold with pitzuchim but listed separately from simple nut-and-seed mixes. A mix may contain crackers, coated pieces, rice snacks, corn, nuts or pulses.

The difference

The exact composition depends on the seller. The ingredient and allergen information identifies the contents.

Common mistake

Do not assume מאנצ׳יס is only mixed nuts, gluten-free or consistent between shops.

On the label or sign

מצופה: coated
מקורמל: caramelized
מסוכר: candied

מצופה / מקורמל / מסוכרCoated or candied

metsupeh / mekurmal / mesukar

US English

Coated, caramelized or candied

UK English

Coated, caramelised or candied

What it is

מצופה, מקורמל and מסוכר describe processing rather than a new nut. Pitzuchim lines include coated cashews, pecans, hazelnuts, almonds and peanuts.

The difference

A coating may be sugar, flour, sesame, chocolate or savory flavoring. Ingredients and kashrut or allergen status depend on the exact product.

Common mistake

Do not count a coated product as the same purchase as a plain nut or infer gluten-free, parve or natural from the nut inside.

Recipe says	Look for in Israel	Keep in mind
Shell-on sunflower seeds	גרעינים שחורים / גרעיני חמנייה בקליפהgarinim shchorim / garinei chamaniya ba-kelipa	Dark hulls for cracking
Shell-on pumpkin seeds	גרעינים לבנים / גרעיני דלעת בקליפהgarinim levanim / garinei dla'at ba-kelipa	Pale hulls with green kernels inside
Pepitas	גרעיני דלעת קלופיםgarinei dla'at klufim	Green kernels without the hull
Hulled sunflower kernels	גרעיני חמנייה קלופיםgarinei chamaniya klufim	Ready to use
Hazelnuts	אגוז לוז / בונדוקegoz luz / bunduk	Two shop names for the same nut
Pine nuts	צנוברים / פיניונסtsnobarim / pinyons	Small shelled pine seeds
Plain pecans	פקאן טבעיpekan tivi	Avoid פקאן סיני when you need unsweetened nuts
Raw or not roasted	גולמי / לא קלויgolmi / lo kalui	טבעי alone does not guarantee no heat

Mix-Ups to Avoid

Shell-On and Hulled Seeds

גרעינים שחורים; גרעיני חמנייה (בקליפה)Shell-on sunflower seeds

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

גרעיני חמנייה לבניםWhite sunflower seeds

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

גרעינים לבנים; גרעיני דלעת (בקליפה)Shell-on pumpkin seeds

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

גרעיני דלעת קלופים / דלעת מקולפתHulled pumpkin seeds

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

גרעיני אבטיחWatermelon seeds

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

גרעיני מלון / טלזהRoasted melon seeds

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

גרעיני חמנייה קלופים / חמנייה מקולפתHulled sunflower seeds

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

Nuts and Peanut Snacks

בוטנים; בוטן טבעי / קלוי / מטוגן / בקליפהPeanuts

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

קבוקים; בוטנים אמריקאיים / מצופיםCoated peanuts

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

שקד טבעי / קלוי; שקדים מולבניםAlmonds

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

קשיו טבעי / קלוי / מטוגןCashews

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

פיסטוק; פיסטוק חלבי; פיסטוק בקליפה / מקולףPistachios

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

אגוז מלך; אגוזי מלךWalnuts

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

פקאן טבעי / קלויPecans

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

פקאן סיני / פקאן מסוכר / מקורמלCandied pecans

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

אגוז לוז / בונדוק; מולבן / קלויHazelnuts

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

אגוז ברזילBrazil nuts

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

אגוז מקדמיהMacadamia nuts

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

צנובר / צנוברים (פיניונס)Pine nuts

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

ערמונים; ערמונים קלופים וקלוייםChestnuts