Miracle Berries
Estimated Inventory, ea : 0
This item was last sold on : 10/18/22
Description/Taste
Miracle berries are oval-shaped fruits that taper to a slightly rounded point. They are typically 2 to 3 centimeters long and ripen from green to bright cranberry red. These fruits are usually harvested with their coarse stem and calyx intact. Miracle berries have a shiny, smooth, and firm skin that encases a thin layer of translucent flesh surrounding a single dark brown seed. They have a mildly sweet but virtually tasteless flavor. After eating a Miracle berry, the palate is altered to perceive sour foods as sweet.
Seasons/Availability
Miracle berries are available year-round.
Current Facts
Miracle berries are botanically classified as Sysepalum ducificum and are a member of the Sapotaceae family. They are also known as Magic berries, Miraculous berries, or Flavor berries. These berries contain a glycoprotein molecule called miraculin, which binds to the taste buds and alters the sweet receptors on the tongue, transforming sour flavors into sweet ones. This effect typically lasts between five and thirty minutes. Miracle berries should not be confused with another plant called Gymnema sylvestre. Known in Hindi as gurmar, meaning destroyer of sugar, this Indian native is used in traditional medicine to decrease sugar absorption in the intestine and boost insulin production. Miracle berry plants can grow up to 6 meters tall and are primarily valued for their fruit's medicinal benefits which have been utilized since the 18th century.
Nutritional Value
Miracle berries are best known for containing miraculin, which reacts to acidic flavors by triggering sweet receptors, making sour tastes sweet. The sweetening sensation of Miracle berries can last up to two hours and has been helpful for cancer patients undergoing radiation and chemotherapy. They may also help curb the desire for sugar in diabetics. Miracle berries are a source of vitamins A and C, which support healthy vision and skin, immune function, collagen production, iron absorption, wound healing, bone and teeth development, and protection from free radical cell damage. The fruits contain vitamins E and K, which help protect cells from oxidative damage, support immune function, and promote skin health by improving moisture retention and reducing signs of aging. Vitamin K plays a crucial role in blood clotting, aiding in wound healing and preventing excessive bleeding. It is also essential for bone health, as it helps activate proteins that bind calcium to bones, improving their strength and density.
Applications
Miracle berries are typically eaten alongside other fruits rather than being cooked or consumed on their own. They are primarily eaten before consuming tart and astringent foods like lemons, limes, vinegar, and sour candies. The berries can also be blended with beverages like lemonade, kombucha, or cranberry juice to enhance their sweetness. Miracle berries can be dried and pulverized to rim glasses as a garnish for tart cocktails. They also enhance the subtly sweet flavors of unsweetened yogurt and sugar-free ice cream, providing an alternative to higher-sugar desserts. Miracle berry powder or tablets can be sprinkled over dishes or dissolved in the mouth to achieve the same taste-modifying effect. They pair well with ingredients such as oranges, tomatoes, pineapples, kiwis, strawberries, grapefruit, watermelon, green tea, cherries, sour cream, and cream cheese.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Miracle berries have become a popular feature at flavor-tripping parties where participants explore the fruit's ability to alter taste perceptions. The event typically begins with participants scraping the flesh of the berry with their teeth to coat their taste buds, then discarding the seed. After consuming the berry, foods that are typically sour or bitter, such as lemons, limes, and even Tabasco sauce, take on a sweet flavor. Some people have noted that items like goat cheese can take on a richer, sweeter taste. These parties provide a unique way for people to experience how taste perception can be temporarily altered.
Geography/History
Miracle berries are native to Central and West African countries, including Benin, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Gabon, Zaïre, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and the Republic of the Congo. They typically grow in tropical climates with well-drained soils and full sun exposure. Miracle berries gained attention in the 1700s when explorer Chevalier des Marchais observed locals consuming the berries before eating sour foods and drinking palm wine. In 1968, scientists isolated the protein responsible for turning sour flavors sweet, naming it miraculin for its remarkable effect. Despite their medicinal potential for diabetics and cancer patients, the FDA classified Miracle berries as a food additive in the 1970s, limiting their commercial use. While still grown in parts of West Africa, the fruit's popularity has declined due to the widespread availability of cheap sugar. Miracle berries are now most commonly grown as commercial and home garden plants in their native regions or sold as a supplement in health food stores.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Miracle Berries. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Blender Lady Blog |
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Green Lemonade |
