Shecheyanu on New Fruit

Shehechyanu on a New Fruit

 

We recite the brachah of Shehecheyanu before eating each type of new fruit*, even within the same fruit species. For example, two fruits that have the same taste but are different colors are considered two different types of fruit. Strictly speaking, according to halachah, one who derives pleasure from seeing a new fruit would be required to recite the brachah of Shehecheyanu when first seeing it; one who doesn’t derive pleasure would make the brachah before eating it. However, the custom is that we do not make the brachah upon seeing the new fruit; rather, we always make the brachah before eating the fruit, in order not to differentiate between someone who enjoys seeing the fruit and one who doesn‘t. We say the brachah of Shehechyanu first, and then the brachah of ha’eitz or ha’adama. If we didn’t make the brachah of Shehechyanu the first time we ate the fruit, we should make it the second time we are eating it, but this time without saying Hashem’s Name. 

*Any seasonal fruit (a fruit which grows only at a certain time every year or twice a year) which has not been eaten yet this season qualifies as a “new fruit.”

https://halacha2go.com?number=199

Practical Halacha: One minute a day. By Horav Yosef Yeshaya Braun, shlita, Mara D'asra and member of the Badatz of Crown Heights.