The practice among Ashkenazim, as noted by the Mishna Berura (Rav Yisrael Meir Kagan, 1839-1933), is to recite the Beracha of "Boreh Mineh Besamim" over any fragrant substance. This Beracha functions as a generic blessing, much like "She’hakol" functions as a generic blessing over food, and Ashkenazim recite this Beracha over all fragrances in order to avoid the confusion that might arise when determining the Beracha. Sepharadim, however, do not follow this custom, and our practice is to recite different Berachot on the different kinds of spices.
Traditionally, Sepharadim use Hadasim branches for Besamim at Habdala, as the Ben Ish Hai (Rav Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 1833-1909) recommends. It is preferable to use three branches that are tied together. The Beracha recited over Hadasim is "Boreh Aseh Besamim."
Some use cloves for Besamim at Habdala, and there is a dispute among the Halachic authorities as to which Beracha should be recited over cloves. The Hida (Rav Haim Yosef David Azulai, 1724-1806), in Mahazik Beracha, rules that one recites "Boreh Mineh Besamim" over cloves. The Ben Ish Hai, however, based on the Or Ha’haim (Rav Haim Ben Attar, 1696-1743), writes that the custom is to recite "Boreh Aseh Besamim" over cloves, and this is the ruling of Hacham Ovadia Yosef.
The Beracha over mint ("Na’ana") is "Boreh Esbeh Besamim." Over "Ruda," one recites "Boreh Mineh Besamim."
There is a debate concerning the proper Beracha when smelling a lemon. Rav Moshe Halevi (Israel, 1961-2000), in his Birkat Hashem, writes that since a lemon’s fragrance is produced by the peel, and not by the fruit, this fragrance does not qualify for the Beracha recited when smelling fragrant fruits ("Ha’noten Re’ah Tob Ba’perot"). Instead, one recites "Boreh Mineh Besamim." Hacham Ovadia Yosef, however, disagrees, and rules that one recites "Ha’noten Re’ah Tob Ba’perot." In fact, Hacham Ovadia had the practice of smelling lemons on Shabbat in order to be able to recite a Beracha and thereby reach a total of 100 Berachot on Shabbat, and he would recite, "Ha’noten Re’ah Tob Ba’perot."
Some Halachic authorities maintain that one does not recite a Beracha when smelling coffee beans or ground coffee, since the smell is not especially strong. Others disagree, and thus Hacham Ovadia Yosef writes that those who recite, "Ha’noten Re’ah Tob Ba’perot" when smelling coffee have on what to rely.
There is another debate concerning the status of synthetic perfumes in this regard, as to whether or not one recites a Beracha when smelling such substances. Hacham Bension Abba Shaul (Israel, 1923-1998), in several contexts, rules that one indeed recites the Beracha of "Boreh Mineh Besamim" when smelling synthetic perfumes. There is some uncertainty surrounding Hacham Ovadia Yosef’s opinion in this regard. He initially ruled that one does not recite a Beracha over synthetic perfumes, but in his work on the Halachot of Berachot, he ruled that one recites "Boreh Mineh Besamim." Some claim that Hacham Ovadia later retracted this ruling, but Rabbi Bitan, after a lengthy discussion of the topic, concludes that one should follow Hacham Ovadia’s written ruling and recite "Boreh Mineh Besamim" when smelling synthetic perfume. It should be noted, however, that one recites a Beracha only over the actual perfume, and not over the scent. Meaning, if one placed perfume on his hand and it evaporated, then he does not recite the Beracha over the scent emanating from his hand.
Over a fragrant rose, or over rosewater, one recites, "Boreh Aseh Besamim."
Summary: The following is a list of the proper Berachot to recite when smelling various fragrant substances, according to Sephardic practice:
Hadasim, cloves, roses, rosewater – "Boreh Aseh Besamim"
Mint - "Boreh Esbeh Besamim"
Lemons – "Ha’noten Re’ah Tob Ba’perot"
Synthetic perfume – "Boreh Mineh Besamim"
According to some authorities, one who smells ground coffee or coffee beans recites "Ha’noten Re’ah Tob Ba’perot."
