Halacha: What Blessing is Recited Over Dates?

For a date, the blessing recited is Ha'etz (the first blessing).

After eating, the blessing Al Ha'etz is recited (the final blessing).

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The portion size required to be obligated in the final blessing (from "Halacha Yomit" by Maran Rabbi Ovadia Yosef zt"l):

For anything one eats, a "first blessing" is required, such as "Shehakol" or "Ha'etz." Even if one eats only a small amount, a blessing must be recited, provided the intention is to consume it. (However, if tasting merely to adjust flavor, such as adding spices, no blessing is required at all). Therefore, someone chewing flavored gum must recite a blessing for the enjoyment of the flavor, even if only a small amount is ingested. Similarly, a drink requires a blessing even if only a single drop is consumed.

This, however, is specifically regarding the first blessing. A final blessing is only recited when the consumption is considered "significant," defined as the size of "a kezayit," approximately twenty-seven grams. For drinks, the measure is "a revi'it," which is eighty-one grams.

Additionally, the eating or drinking must occur within a timeframe where the portions are combined. For example, if over a day one eats the amount of "a kezayit" of bread, crumb by crumb, certainly one cannot subsequently recite the Grace After Meals. Instead, the kezayit must be consumed within the time it takes to eat "an achilat pras." Opinions vary on this duration; some say five minutes, others about seven and a half minutes (and there are other opinions). Therefore, it's advisable to always consume a kezayit, particularly during Shabbat meals, within four and a half minutes to fulfill all opinions.

Regarding the final blessing on drinks, one must drink a revi'it (eighty-one grams) in one continuous act. If one pauses between sips, no final blessing is recited. Hence, someone who consumes soup with a spoon does not recite a final blessing on that soup, as the quantity of a revi'it wasn’t consumed in one go. Similarly, someone drinking hot coffee or tea doesn't recite a final blessing as they cannot consume it all at once.