The Shulchan Aruch in siman 204 says that a food taken as a medicine that tastes good, requires a bracha. Therefore, if one has a sore throat and drinks a hot tea, he would be obligated to make a bracha. What is that status of something thatis only taken for health benefits but also has a pleasant taste? For example: vitamins. Nobody takes vitamins when they are hungry. It is not a food, but it doesn’t taste bad. Would it require a bracha? or since it is not a food, no bracha is needed?one
Thank you
Answer:
If the taste of the vitamin is good, so that the person eating it actually enjoys the taste, a berachah must be made. The reason for this is that it is forbidden to derive benefit from something without reciting a berachah. However, if the taste of the vitamin is only sufficient to render it edible, but is not actually enjoyable, no berachah is made.
Sources:
Shulchan Aruch 204:8; Mishnah Berurah 43.
