Miracle Fruit plant (Synsepalum dulcificum) that produces a taste altering compound called ' miraculin'.
This week we've been studying natural non-caloric sweeteners. In line with this study, let's meet the Miracle Fruit plant (Synsepalum dulcificum) that produces berries with a taste altering compound called ' miraculin'.
Synsepalum dulcificum is a shrub from the Sapotaceae family, native to tropical Africa. It is known for its berry (known as miracle fruit or miracle berry).
The berry itself has a low sugar content and a mildly sweet taste. It contains a glycoprotein molecule ( miraculin). When the fleshy part of the fruit is eaten, this molecule binds to the tongue's taste buds, causing sour foods (like lemon or lime) to taste sweet. The effect lasts for about an hour, until the protein is washed away by saliva
🌷THE PLANT
Synsepalum dulcificum is a slow growing, perennial bush that grows up to 4-6 m high. Its simple leaves are clustered at the ends of branches and have smooth margins. The small flowers are creamish white and produced in clusters at the leaf axils.Fruits ripen from green to scarlet red, oval-shaped (9mm long), with a single black seed embedded in edible, sweetish white pulp.
🌷CULTIVATION
The plant grows well in alkaline soil, requires moderate water and full sun.
🌷TRADITIONAL USE
In Africa when modern refrigeration was not available, fruits were tradtionally chewed before meals to make stale food taste better.
Historically, it was also used to improve the flavor of soured cornbread, but has been used as a sweetener and flavoring agent for diverse beverages like palm wine and foods, such as beer, cocktails, vinegar, and pickles.
Sources
Reference