The Bracha on Sugar

Q. What bracha does one recite on granulated cane sugar?

A. This matter is a major dispute among the Rishonim. The Tur rules that the bracha on sugar cane and sugar is Ha’eitz. The Baal Halachos Gedolos maintains that the correct bracha is Ha’odama, however, the Rambam writes that the bracha for sugar is Shehakol. The Shulchan Aruch (OC 202:15) follows the opinion of the Rambam that the bracha for sugar is Shehakol. However, the Mishna Berura writes that since there are three opinions in the Rishonim, bidieved (after the fact) if one recited Ha’eitz following the opinion of the Tur or Ha’odama in accordance with the Baal Halachos Gedolos, one does not repeat the bracha.

The accepted ruling is that on all forms of sugar, whether extracted from cane or beets, we recite Shehakol. Similarly, the Beiur Halacha writes that if one sucks on sugarcane to extract the sweetness, the bracha is Shehakol.

______________________________________________________

The Gerald & Karin Feldhamer OU Kosher Halacha Yomis is dedicated to the memory of Rav Yisroel Belsky, zt"l, who served as halachic consultant for OU Kosher for more than 28 years; many of the responses in Halacha Yomis are based on the rulings of Rabbi Belsky. Subscribe to the Halacha Yomis daily email here.