Shechiyanu for fruit

From Halachipedia
  1. Chazal enacted Brachat Shechiyanu for eating a new fruit because it brings a person happiness and should praise Hashem for the opportunity. [1] Even if you don’t feel a happiness for eating a new fruit, one still should make the Bracha (as we assume that he’s happy inside, even if he doesn’t express this externally). [2]

When to make the Bracha

  1. Even though it’s preferable to say Shechiyanu before the Bracha on the fruit, the minhag is to make the Bracha on the food and then the Shehechiyanu. [3]
  2. If one forgot to make the Bracha before eating, one may make it anytime one didn’t finish eating, however once one finished, one can’t make a Shechiyanu on that fruit. [4]

Which fruit?

  1. One only makes a Bracha on fruits that grow yearly, however, fruits that grow all year round don’t require a Shechiyanu. [5]
  2. Fruit that’s available in the marketplace all year round (because of the refrigeration and transportation) do not require Shechiyanu, (however it’s preferable to cover it with a Shechiyanu from another fruit if possible.) [6]
  3. The following fruit don’t require a Shechiyanu: banana, lemon, lettuce , cabbage, potato, carrot, onion, pear, dates, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, nuts, peanuts, almonds, olives, mushrooms, wine, and grape juice
  4. The Sefer Zevot HaBracha writes that the general list of fruits in Israel that are considered not available all year round and deserve a Shechiyanu includes the following (however, in America, it’s very possible that some of these are available all year round)

(this is up to date for 5769, when the sefer was reprinted):

  1. The following do require a Shechiyanu: avocado, watermelon, peach, cherry, quince, mango, apricot, grapes, strawberry, plum, cactus, and raspberry.

References

  1. Mishna Brurah 225:10
  2. VeZot HaBracha (18:1, pg 159) in name of Rav Elyashiv and Rav Chaim Kanievsky
  3. Mishna Brurah 225:11 writes that it’s preferable to say Shechiyanu first in order not to make an interruption between the Bracha and eating. However, Zevot HaBracha (pg 159) writes that the minhag is to make the Bracha on the fruit first.
  4. Zevot HaBracha (pg 160) based on Mishna Brurah 225:13 and quoting Rav Elyashiv
  5. S”A 225:6
  6. Zevot HaBracha (pg 161)