Sweet Nothings, Part I
Elizabeth Preston
Muse
Sep 30, 2008 20:00 EDT
The so-called miracle fruit is a tiny red berry that tastes like a bland cranberry. The "miracle" comes after you eat the berry: every sour food you eat suddenly tastes sweet.
People have known about Synsepalum dulciferum. which grows in West Africa, for centuries. But recently, the berry has become trendy. People around the world attend parties to eat the miracle fruit and then chew on lemon wedges or drink Tabasco - which might taste like candy or chocolate sauce.
The miracle fruit works by coating your taste buds with a protein called miraculin. But if you prefer your Sour Patch Kids sour, don't worry; the effect only lasts an hour or so.
© 2008 Carus Publishing Company Provided by ProQuest LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Source: Muse

