Miracle Fruit
Summary
Miracle fruit, a tiny berry, is native to East Africa. It was imported to Florida in the United States a few years ago, and until recently has just been thought of as a novelty. The berry itself has little flavor, but a compound in the fruit coats the sour taste buds on one’s tongue, so that it changes the natural flavors of some foods. In combination with citrus fruits and acidic foods, miracle fruit triggers the same sweet sensation. It also makes sweet foods taste even sweeter.
One investor, called the Miracle Fruit Man, has more than a thousand trees, and supplies the berries to gourmet shops and restaurants in New York, as well as other customers. In addition, researchers are studying the berry to see if diabetics can use it as a sugar substitute. Other medical teams are exploring whether cancer patients receiving chemotherapy can also benefit from this berry, as it will make food more appetizing to them, as chemotherapy typically results in ruining the flavors of one’s food.
Keywords: synsepalum dulcificum, miracle fruit, appetite suppression
