What is Miracle Fruit?

Miracle Fruit or Synsepalum

dulcificum is a plant native to

West Africa. It is an evergreen

plant that produces small red

berries which are produced for many months in a year. The seeds

are about the size of coffee beans. The berry is sweet, and

contains an active glycoprotein molecule called miraculin along with

some carbohydrate chains.

Miracle Fruit contains a glycoprotein called miraculin, which binds to

the tongue’s taste buds when the fruit is consumed. Miraculin acts

as a sweetness inducer when it comes in contact with acids,

causing sour foods to taste sweet, temporarily. This effect usually

lasts between 30 minutes and 2 hours.