The Bracha on Sugar: Why the Machlokes?

Q. A previous Halacha Yomis mentioned that the bracha on sugar according to some opinions is Ha’eitz or Ha’adama. What is the explanation for these views?

A. The Tur writes that the bracha for sugar extracted from sugarcane is Ha’eitz. Since the sugarcane is a woody perennial stalk, it has the status of a tree, and its sugary juices are viewed as its fruit. Ordinarily, when juices are extracted from a fruit the bracha changes to Shehakol. Nonetheless, in this case it remains Ha’eitz, since the main intent of growing the cane is for these juices. According to the Tur, the bracha is Ha’eitz, whether one sucks on the sugarcane or one eats granulated sugar.

The Beiur Halacha explains the rationale of the Baal Halachos Gedolos that the bracha on sugar is Ha’adama. Although sugarcane is a tree, it does not produce any actual fruit. Sugarcane is more similar to a vegetable that grows from the ground than a fruit, and therefore the bracha is Ha’adama.

The Rambam offers two reasons why the bracha is Shehakol. First, sugar is not a Pri, and therefore neither Borei Pri Ha’odoma nor Borei Pri Ha’eitz are appropriate. Secondly, the sugarcane is nishtana (transformed into a new entity) when sugar is extracted.

As noted, the accepted halacha is to follow the opinion of the Rambam and recite Shehakol on sugar.

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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.