Where did blessing the food come from?

[Islander]

On 8/18/2021 at 6:50 PM, Rain said:

I don't mean saying "grace" over food. Or thank Heavenly Father for it.

I mean actually "blessing" it. 

Special Brachot - benedictions - are traditionally said in Hebrew before eating any food or drinking any beverage. They are slightly different, depending on whether it is bread (grains) or fruit/vegies, etc. It may date back to the time of the Maccabees when reading the Torah was prohibited