Question:
Can you please tell me what some of the most lechatchila options there are for besamim by havdala? We enjoy the aroma of esrog as well as mint leaves, but since both are different berachos than minei besamim it seems like the mishna berura would say it’s best to use cloves or something else(?) which is truly minei besamim.
Thank you!
Answer:
You are correct the best thing is something which is lechatchilah “miney besomim” i.e. musk or cloves or English pepper. By using other spices for Havdalah people might make a mistake and also during the week make a minei besamim on them.
Sources:
O:CH 297 Mishnah Berurah 1
