Hebrew: כֻּסֶּמֶת, kusemet
Family: Polygonaceae (Araceae)
Scientific name: Fagopyrum esculentum
Buckwheat is the name of a cultivated plant from the Polygonaceae family whose seeds are consumed. Despite its deceptive name, buckwheat is a legume and is not in any way botanically connected to wheat or the kusmin mentioned by the Sages (spelt), which is one of the five species of grain mentioned by the Sages.
The plant originates in southeast Asia and Tibet. In Yiddish, roasted buckwheat groats is called kasha.
Kilei zera’im & kilei hakerem (interplanting mixed species – annuals & grapevines): Buckwheat is a legume and thus may not be planted near other annuals or grapevines.
Matanot aniyim (gifts for the poor): Since it is possible to store the buckwheat legumes dried, and the entire field ripens at a uniform pace, one should leave lekket, shichechah, and pe’ah when harvesting.
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