You should see the food before reciting the Bracha, e.g. if one wants to eat a cashew, you first open up the shell and see if its fit for a Bracha (no worms etc.). You should hold the food/drink in your right hand, or left hand if your a lefty. One must be very careful not to mention G-D's name in vain. Therefore, before you start saying the Bracha, you should know which Bracha is the appropriate one. No food or drink should be in your mouth while reciting a Bracha. Between the Bracha and eating you must not talk or even wait any amount of time, but eat or drink the food right away. If you forgot to say a Bracha before eating, as long as you still have some food left you still have to say the Bracha.
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