We find several foods regarding which the Halachic authorities disagree as to which Beracha they require. For example, although it is accepted that one recites "She'hakol" over sugar, some authorities claim that sugar requires the Beracha of "Bore Peri Ha'etz," and others hold that the proper Beracha is "Ha'adama." Similarly, although the papaya grows on a tree, some authorities maintain that it requires the Beracha of "Ha'adama," rather than "Ha'etz," because the papaya tree differs in some respects from ordinary trees, and this is indeed the accepted practice. The Beracha over bananas, too, is subject to some controversy; although the Shulhan Aruch rules that one recites "Ha'adama," as we of course do, others held that the proper Beracha is "Ha'etz." Another example is chocolate, which is produced from the cocoa bean which grows on trees. Although most people recite "She'hakol" on chocolate, as Rabbi Moshe Halevi (Israel, 1961-2001) rules in his work Birkat Hashem (vol. 3, p. 96), others, such as Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Jerusalem, 1910-1995) and Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv (Jerusalem, contemporary), maintain that one should in fact recite "Ha'etz" over chocolate. Likewise, it is accepted to recite "She'hakol" over coffee, but there were those who held that one should recite "Ha'etz" since the coffee bean grows on a tree.
With regard to all these foods, we confront a situation of "Safek" – a Halachic doubt – and we therefore recite the Beracha that satisfies all views. In cases such as the papaya and banana, where the doubt is whether to recite "Ha'etz" or "Ha'adama," we recite "Ha'adama" because this Beracha suffices even for foods requiring "Ha'etz." And where there is a possibility that the proper Beracha is "She'hakol," as in the case of sugar and chocolate, we recite "She'hakol" which in any event suffices for all foods. In all these cases, however, if one mistakenly recited "Ha'etz," he has nevertheless fulfilled his obligation, despite the fact that the accepted practice is to recite a different Beracha. Since some authorities in fact require reciting "Ha'etz" over these foods, one who recited this Beracha has fulfilled the obligation and does not recite another Beracha.
Hacham Ovadia Yosef, in his work Halichot Olam (Parashat Matot), addresses the situation of a person who eats a fruit that definitively requires "Ha'etz" – such as an apple – and then immediately thereafter eats one of the aforementioned foods. This case commonly arises in desserts, where one occasionally eats a fruit followed by a sugar-candy or chocolate. Hacham Ovadia rules that the Beracha of "Ha'etz" recited over the apple covers the candy or chocolate, as well. Even though we recite "She'hakol," rather than "Ha'etz," over candy and chocolate, nevertheless, the Beracha of "Ha'etz" covers the candy or chocolate because, as we have seen, some authorities require reciting "Ha'etz" over these foods. Only if the individual had specific intention while reciting the Beracha of "Ha'etz" that it should not apply to the candy or chocolate does he then recite "She'hakol." Hacham Ovadia thus concludes that in all such cases, where one recites "Ha'etz" over a fruit before eating a food over which only some authorities require reciting "Ha'etz," he should have in mind for the Beracha to apply only to the fruit. He may then recite the accepted Beracha over the subsequent food without concern that this might be an unnecessary Beracha.
This Halacha serves as a revealing example of the Gemara's comment in the sixth chapter of Masechet Berachot that one should study under Torah scholars for guidance with regard to the laws of Berachot. As we have seen, one must learn not only which Beracha to recite over a given food, but also in what situations a Beracha is warranted. As these laws are exceedingly intricate and complex, everyone is urged to review these Halachot and regularly consult with Halachic experts for guidance.
Summary: There are several foods over which some authorities require reciting "Ha'etz," but common practice dictates reciting either "Ha'adama" or "She'hakol." These foods include sugar, chocolate, papayas, bananas, and coffee. In all these cases, one who mistakenly recites "Ha'etz" has nevertheless fulfilled his obligation. If a person partakes of a fruit before eating one of these foods, he should have specific intent that the Beracha applies only to the fruit, and not to the food such as a sugar-candy or chocolate that he plans to eat afterward. He then recites the appropriate Beracha over the other food. If he did not have this specific intent while reciting "Ha'etz" over the fruit, then he does not recite a Beracha over the other food, as it is covered by the "Ha'etz" recited over the fruit.
