Halacha: What Blessing Do You Say on an Olive?

On the olive, you bless "the tree" (initial blessing)

At the end of the meal, you bless "the tree" again (final blessing)

* * *

Required quantity for a final blessing (from "Daily Halacha" derived from rulings of Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, of blessed memory):

For everything a person eats, they must say an "initial blessing," such as "shehakol" or "the tree." Even if eating just a small amount, a blessing is required, as long as eating is the intent. (However, if tasting to adjust seasoning or similar is the only intent, no blessing is needed.) Therefore, chewing gum with flavor requires a blessing even if only a small part is consumed. Similarly, drinking any amount requires a blessing, even if just a single drop is consumed.

However, this applies only to the initial blessing. The final blessing is recited only if a "significant eating" occurs, defined as eating an amount like an "olive's bulk" (27 grams), and for drinking, the measure is "a revi'it" (81 grams).

Additionally, eating or drinking should be completed within a period that the consumption aggregates. For instance, consuming the "olive's bulk" worth of bread crumb by crumb over an entire day does not warrant a final blessing. Consumption of the "olive's bulk" must occur within the time frame known as "eating a slice," which authorities debate—some say it's five minutes, others around seven and a half minutes. Thus, it's advisable, especially during Shabbat meals, to consume an olive's bulk within four and a half minutes to satisfy all opinions.

Regarding the final blessing for drinks, consuming a revi'it of the beverage (81 grams) at once is required. If pauses occur between sips, no final blessing is recited. Therefore, sipping soup with a spoon doesn't warrant a final blessing, as a revi'it isn't consumed at once. Similarly, sipping hot coffee or tea does not require a final blessing due to the inability to consume it at once.