Miracle fruit

Synsepalum dulcificum · Tropical fruit

40 pairings

Miracle fruit is the small red berry of Synsepalum dulcificum, a West African evergreen shrub. The pulp itself is only mildly sweet and faintly tart, but it coats the tongue with a glycoprotein called miraculin that makes sour and acidic foods taste intensely, lingeringly sweet for up to an hour or two afterward.

Picking a good onedrag

Scarlet, taut, at full strengthWrinkled, weeping, spent

A day or two onStill effective, and still only masking. Lemons, vinegar and hot sauce that taste sweet under it are as acidic as ever on tooth enamel and on a sore stomach.Still works

Colour and skinStill fully red, the shine flattening, skin smooth and unbroken

The giveSofter under the thumb, still holding its shape

SmellAlmost no smell, which is normal for this berry

What to look for, from scarlet, taut, at full strength to wrinkled, weeping, spent.

Preparing