The ‘Miracle Fruit’* …

By Rhiannonw

Mon, 17 Apr 2023
  • 277 reads
2 comments
 

… contains ‘miraculin’,
surprising molecule
that binds to the sweet-detecting
taste buds on the tongue,
changing them so that
for a while
sour things
taste sweet
(maybe a super-sensitivity to small amounts of sugar?)
until saliva deactivates.

*Synsepalum dulcificum berries  [of course the use of the word 'miracle' doesn't mean its full meaning, but just so surprising, and indicates the complexities in its structure]

[IP: fruit – I'm using it in the biological sense, not culinary]

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Comments

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

I've heard of this Rhiannon. Have you ever tried it?

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

No! It was only after I'd read of it and how puzzling it was at first when visitors saw people chewing it and reporting on its effect, that I read that some do try to use it, but I think it's acceptance by the authorities for general use is a bit uncertain. I just thought the understanding of the way it works is so interesting.  Rhiannon