Halacha: What Blessing is Recited on Blueberries?
Want to know what blessing to recite for blueberries? Here is all the information you need, including an explanation of the amount needed for a blessing.
- הידברות
- פורסם כ"ד תשרי התשע"ז
#VALUE!
On blueberries recite the blessing of Ha'etz (first blessing)
After eating, recite the blessing Borei Nefashot (final blessing)
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The amount of food required to obligate a final blessing (from "Halacha Yomit" based on the rulings of Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, of blessed memory):
For any food a person eats, a "first blessing" must be recited, such as the blessing "Shehakol" or "Ha'etz". Even if one only eats a small amount of that food, a blessing is still required if it is eaten with the intent of consumption. (However, if the intent is only to taste the food in order to adjust it by adding spices or similar, no blessing is needed for this tasting). Therefore, someone who chews flavored gum, even if only consuming a negligible amount, must still recite a blessing for the enjoyment of the flavor. Similarly, one who drinks any beverage must recite a blessing even for a single drop.
However, this applies specifically to the first blessing. A final blessing is only recited if the food was eaten in a "significant eating" amount, defined as the volume of a K'zayit, which is twenty-seven grams; for drinks, the required amount is a Revi'it, which is eighty-one grams.
Additionally, the eating or drinking must occur within a specific time frame where the consumption is considered contiguous. If a person eats the volume of a K'zayit of bread over an entire day, piece by piece, they certainly cannot recite the Blessing after the Meal. Instead, the entire amount of a K'zayit must be consumed within the time it takes to eat a Pras. Authorities disagree on this duration; some say it is five minutes, others say it is about seven and a half minutes (with other opinions as well). Therefore, it is prudent to always consume a K'zayit (particularly during Shabbat meals) within four and a half minutes to satisfy all opinions.
Regarding a final blessing on drinks, one must drink a Revi'it of the beverage (eighty-one grams) in one go. If a person drinks with pauses between sips, no final blessing is recited. Therefore, someone who consumes soup with a spoon does not recite a final blessing for that soup since a Revi'it was not consumed all at once. Likewise, someone drinking coffee or tea that is hot does not recite a final blessing as it cannot be consumed in one go.
