Synsepalum dulcificum

miracle fruit

Miracle fruit is named for its dramatic effect on taste perception – causing bitter or sour foods to taste sweet. The fruit is separated from the seed and chewed to give adequate exposure to the tongue. Afterwards, lemons taste like lemonade, and a wide variety of other bitter/sour foods and drinks take on interesting sweet flavors. It’s fun to experiment, and social events with miracle fruit known as “flavor tripping parties” have even been created with this in mind. Despite its popular common name, miracle fruit does have its limitations and it doesn't necessarily make everything taste delicious or have the same effect for everyone:

This “miraculous” effect is caused by a compound in miracle fruit known as miraculin, which binds to taste buds and activates the tongue’s “sweet receptors” in the presence of low pH food or drink. The transforming effect lasts up to about an hour.

Beyond use just for fun, a small market has been created among chemotherapy patients who report the fruit helps against a metallic taste sometimes experienced in the course of treatment. People with diabetes along with those sensitive to their sugar intake use the fruits as a sugar-free sweetener.

Miracle fruit is not utilized commercially in prepared foods and drinks, and since the flavor-changing properties only remain for a short time after the fruit is harvested, it is not normally available fresh. Drying the fruit apparently preserves the fruit’s effects, so if you don’t have any miracle fruit trees nearby, search online for some miracle fruit tablets with good reviews.

Miracle fruit trees can be grown in the landscape or as a potted indoor plant. It is a slower growing plant that prefers partial shade and acidic soil.