Siman 210 – Amounts for beracha achrona

בChelek 2

137. There is no beracha achrona for food less than a k’zayis nor on drinks less than a r’viis. (ShA 1)
138. Bits of a lots of different foods can combine to make a k’zayis.(MB 1)
139. Half a k’zayis of a fig (example of fruit of the 7 species) combines with half of a k’zayis of an apple (for example) to obligate you in Boray Nefashos. (MB 1)
140. Half of a k’zayis of bread combines with half of a k’zayis of any food that would require a Boray Nefashos to obligate you in Boray Nefashos. (MB 1)
141. If you ate less than a k’zayis of food and less than a r’viis of drink – they don’t combine and no beracha achrona is required, unless it is a liquid dip to accompany the food. (MB 1)
142. If you ate the k’zayis slowly, letting time pass from when you began more than it takes to eat 6 k’zaysim (called k’day achillas p’ras), do not say a beracha achrona. (MB 1)
143. A k’zayis of airy bread does not have a k’zayis of actual bread in it, and no beracha achrona is required. (MB 1)
144. Within how much time must you drink down your r’viis in order to be obligated in a beracha achrona? Poskim argue:
     1. Within the time it takes to drink a r’viis with one pause for derech eretz in the middle. A longer pause will exempt you.
     2. Within the time it takes to eat 6 k’zaysim. The Gr”a held of this opinion. (MB 1)
145. What would the first opinion above say about hot drinks which take time to drink? This is a big argument in the poskim. The custom is not to. However, men of good deeds leave over a r’viis to cool down, drink it at once, and then say the beracha achrona. This is proper conduct, especially because it fulfils the opinion of the Gr”a above. (MB 1)
146. The smallest amount of food or drink gives pleasure and therefore requires a beracha rishona. (ShA 1 – MB 3)
147. There is an opinion that a complete “beria” needs a beracha achrona even if less than a k’zayis (e.g. a whole grape with its seeds, a pomegranate seed, a bean, a whole minnow). This applies only if you ate it whole, but if you took out the seeds, cut it in half, or even if part of it peeled off  in the cooking – no beracha achrona is required. Be careful not to eat a “beria” less than a k’zayis so you won’t be in doubt. (ShA 1 – MB 5, 8 – ShaH21)
148. The edible inside of a hard plum-seed casing, is considered a “beria”. (MB 9)
149. Do not drink any beverage from the volume of a k’zayis (27cc) until a r’viis (86cc) – you will be in doubt of a beracha achrona. (ShA 1)
150. Tasting food does not require any beracha as long as you expel it from your mouth. If you will swallow, the ikkar din is not to say a beracha since you don’t have intention to eat, but since there is an opinion that holds you do say a beracha, it’s best to have in mind to eat as well – then you will need to say a beracha for sure. (ShA 2 – MB 19)
151. No beracha is recited on inhaling the smoke of tobacco. (MB 17)
152. Chewing food for a baby does not require a beracha. (MB 18)