Although it may seem obvious that one who drinks coffee must first recite the Beracha of "She’hakol Niheya Bidbaro," this issue was actually subject to controversy among the Poskim (Halachic authorities) of earlier generations. The Peri Hadash (Rav Hizkiya Da Silva, 1659-1698) indeed held that one recites "She’hakol" over coffee, because coffee is essentially flavored water. Since the coffee beans only lend flavor to the water, the Beracha is determined based on the water, not the beans, and therefore one recites the Beracha of "She’hakol" – the Beracha recited over water. Others, however, contended that the Beracha is determined based upon the beans, which grow from trees, and therefore one who drinks coffee – according to this view – should recite the Beracha of "Boreh Peri Ha’etz." Yet a third view held that one recites "Boreh Peri Ha’adama."
Of course, Halacha follows the opinion that one recites "She’hakol" over coffee. Nevertheless, if a person, for whatever reason, recited "Ha’etz" or "Ha’adama," he has fulfilled his obligation and may drink the coffee without reciting "She’hakol."
Interestingly enough, this issue yields ramifications regarding the Kashrut status of coffee prepared by a non-Jew. The Halacha of "Bishul Akum" establishes that certain foods may not be eaten if they were cooked by a gentile. Even if the food is otherwise strictly Kosher, it may not be eaten if the cooking was performed by a non-Jew. The question thus arises concerning coffee brewed and served in hotels. If the coffee-maker and urn were never used for any other purpose, the coffee served in the urn is, intrinsically, Kosher – except for the fact that it was brewed by the hotel’s non-Jewish staff. Does this render the coffee forbidden for consumption?
A number of Poskim permit drinking coffee brewed by a gentile based upon the fact that, as mentioned, coffee is essentially flavored water. As we saw, Halacha follows the view requiring the Beracha of "She’hakol" before drinking coffee, which shows that we accept the position that treats coffee as water. The prohibition of "Bishul Akum" does not apply to water, and therefore, by extension, it does not apply to coffee. It is thus permissible to drink coffee brewed by a gentile, provided, of course, that one can ascertain that all the utensils used in its preparation are perfectly Kosher. This is the view of several authorities, including the Hid"a (Rav Haim Yosef David Azulai, 1724-1806), the Ben Ish Hai (Rav Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 1833-1909), and Hacham Ovadia Yosef (in his work Halichot Olam, Parashat Balak).
Incidentally, we should emphasize that one must ensure to begin drinking immediately after reciting the Beracha. Some people mistakenly blow the coffee after reciting the Beracha, before taking the first sip. This is incorrect; blowing constitutes a Hefsek (interruption) in between the Beracha and the drinking, and thus disqualifies this Beracha. One should therefore make sure the coffee is cool enough to drink before he recites the Beracha, so that he can begin drinking immediately after reciting the Beracha.
Summary: Despite the fact that coffee beans grow on trees, the Beracha over coffee is "She’hakol." One should ensure to begin drinking immediately after reciting the Beracha, and not blow the coffee in between the Beracha and the first sip. One may drink coffee that was brewed by a gentile, assuming, of course, that it was prepared with kosher utensils.
