How Miracle Fruit Will Change Everything You Taste

The miracle fruit, Synsepalum dulcificum, is native to West Africa and has been known to Westerners since the 18th century. The cause of the reaction is a protein called miraculin, which binds with the taste buds and acts as a sweetness inducer when it comes in contact with acids, according to a scientist who has studied the fruit, Linda Bartoshuk at the University of Florida's Center for Smell and Taste. Dr. Bartoshuk said she did not know of any dangers associated with eating miracle fruit.

During the 1970s, a ruling by the Food and Drug Administration dashed hopes that an extract of miraculin could be sold as a sugar substitute. In the absence of any plausible commercial application, the miracle fruit has acquired a bit of a cult following.

Sina Najafi, editor in chief of the art magazine Cabinet, has featured miracle fruits at some of the publication's events. At a party in London last October, the fruit, he said, "had people testifying like some baptismal thing."

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[zizyphus]

I have been growing these here in Hawaii for twenty years now. What it doesn't mention is that the flavor is sort of licoricey. It makes a lemon taste sickeningly sweet. Beer tastes sweet, too. It is an experience and flavor that is fun at first, but not one you would return to over and over. We always like to turn visitors on to miracle fruit, it is funny to see their reaction.

[RickO]

I hear it makes a falafel taste like a Dunkin Donut.

[mergina]

Would it even make a Whopper palatable?

[bmermaid]

Does anyone know where you can find it?
What's it usually called- Miracle Fruit?

[Sumocat]

There are links to two sellers in the full story.

[bmermaid]

Many thanks! My mother has cancer and must take terrible, bitter medicine twice a day, which makes her gag.
This might make her last weeks & months easier.

[rini]

Hmm,

I don't always like everything that is supersweet.

Still, would be interesting. Of course, I don't think these are easy to get.

[Sumocat]

The miracle isn't in making food super sweet. It makes bitter and sour taste sweet. Changes the flavor, much the way wine complements or enhances certain foods, but apparently with greater effect.