Does the Shehakol Blessing Cover Everything?
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Question
When I have something and I don't know its blessing, can I say the Shehakol blessing on it, since it is known that Shehakol covers everything? And can I say Shehakol on another item and intend to cover the doubtful food?
Answer
One should not do so, and Shehakol only covers when the blessing was said by mistake, or when there is a doubt in the law. However, someone who does not know the blessing because they have not learned should go to a sage and learn the laws of blessings, or cover both blessings they are in doubt about with bread or a meal.
Source
Gemara in Tractate Berachot, page 40: "If one blessed on tree fruits with the blessing for ground fruits, he has fulfilled his obligation, but if on ground fruits with the blessing for tree fruits, he has not fulfilled his obligation. And on all, if he said 'Shehakol Nihyah Bidvaro', he has fulfilled his obligation." This is also ruled by the Shulchan Aruch in Orach Chaim at the end of Siman 204 and the Rema at the end of Siman 202, and the Mishnah Berurah in Siman 202, Se'if Katan 84, writes that one should not cover with Shehakol unless he has learned the laws of blessings, and even then, it is preferable to cover with a meal.