Next time when you are exploring the exotic forests of Ghana and come across some attractive and unique berry shaped fruits, then chances are mostly that you have acquainted yourself with one of the most native fruits of West Africa – miracle berry. As impressive as its name sounds, miracle berries come with an even more compelling history and how it was founded by a French explorer.
A famous French explorer and cartographer, Chevalier de Marchais had travelled towards Africa in the 18th century. While discovering newer territories and African culture, the explorer chanced upon this plant which contained delicious and attractive looking red berries. Chevalier de Marchais and his group would enjoy these berries for its unique taste, and since then, miracle berries have been a popular fruit among many people across the world. According to the explorer, the miracle berries had a different effect among the consumers, causing a different taste to the chewer’s mouth, especially after having a sour lemon, which then tasted sweet. It has also been known to enhance the taste of food among the people in West Africa.
The miracle berries belong to the same family as the star apple and Shea, which is a 'sapotaceae' and have the botanical name of 'synsepalum dulcificum' or 'richardella dulcifica'. This fruit is best grown in the tropical weather, or mostly in tropical countries such as Florida, Taiwan, Philippines. But in modern times, miracle berries can be quickly grown in various parts of the world with different weather conditions.
According to researchers and those who have tasted this fruit, miracle berries have an impressive ability to make any sour food taste sweet. Before you roll your eyes and think that this fact is hard to believe, miracle berries consist of a compound known as 'miraculin'. Miracle berry has an active glycoprotein called 'miraculin'. Miraculin works when acidic food binds in your tongue’s taste buds. When you pop in a sour food in your tongue such as lemon and lime, the pH level gets reduced, and miraculin is successful in engaging the sweet receptors while reducing the sour taste.
The unique size and shape of miracle berries are some of its alluring features which do many wonders about its health benefits. But these small fruits stored with a powerhouse of nutrients are highly effective for many of us. The miracle berries have the size of cherry tomatoes with a single seed, which comes in the size of a coffee bean. It’s that small!
You can either have the fruit raw or come up with your recipe to perk up your diet. The vibrant reddish colour of miracle berries enables it to be used in several restaurants where the diners often get a sweet surprise from this fantastic fruit.
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