What Bracha for Coffee?
Learn the Shehakol blessing for coffee and hot drinks
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁהַכֹּל נִהְיָה בִּדְבָרוֹ
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha'olam, shehakol nihiyeh bidvaro.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, through whose word everything came to be.
Coffee and Tea: Shehakol
The blessing for coffee is "Shehakol" - the same blessing used for water and other beverages. This applies to all types of coffee:
- Regular brewed coffee
- Espresso
- Instant coffee
- Iced coffee
- Coffee with milk or cream
- Decaf coffee
- All types of tea
Why Shehakol for Coffee?
Although coffee beans come from a plant, the transformation they undergo (roasting, grinding, brewing) and the fact that the bean itself is not consumed means coffee receives the general "Shehakol" blessing rather than "Ha'adamah" (for vegetables) or "Ha'etz" (for fruits).
What About Flavored Coffee Drinks?
Plain coffee, latte, cappuccino: Shehakol
Coffee with sugar/sweetener: Shehakol
Frappuccino or coffee with significant solid mix-ins: May vary - consult a rabbi if it contains substantial grain-based ingredients
Coffee During Meals
If you're eating a meal that began with Hamotzi (bread), coffee and other drinks are covered by that blessing. However, if you're having coffee separately - such as after the meal as a dessert course or with cake - you would say Shehakol.
After-Blessing
After drinking coffee (a revi'it or more, approximately 3 oz in a short time span), you say the "Borei Nefashot" after-blessing. If you're eating cake (mezonot) with your coffee, the "Al HaMichya" for the cake covers the coffee as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Tea (black, green, herbal, etc.) receives the same "Shehakol" blessing as coffee.
Hot chocolate also receives the "Shehakol" blessing, regardless of whether it's made with water or milk.
If you have coffee throughout the day with breaks in between, you generally need a new bracha each time you start drinking again. However, if you had intention to continue drinking when you said the first bracha, it may cover subsequent cups. Consult your rabbi for your specific situation.
Say "Mezonot" on the cookie first (since it's a "higher" bracha), then "Shehakol" on the coffee. After finishing, "Al HaMichya" for the cookie covers the coffee, so you don't need "Borei Nefashot."