There are various opinions as to what Kitniyot is. It all boils down to the Minhag (custom). Some say that items such as wheat or barley kernels are similar to Kitniyot based products such as rice, buckwheat, lentils, chickpeas, etc. and when ground, look like flour and may resemble true Chametz. This may result in an individual assuming that he may consume Chametz itself. Similarly, Kitniyot products may be grown adjacent to Chametz-based products and as a safeguard, our Sages did not allow these Kitniyot products to be consumed.

The following is a short list of Kitniyot products, which are prohibited on Pesach for those who follow Ashkenazic traditions: