Synsepalum dulcificum

Miracle berry fruits with

The miracle berry ( Synsepalum dulcificum ), also known as miracle fruit, a plant belonging to the family of Sapotengewächse is ( Sapotaceae ).

Description

The miracle berry is an evergreen small tree or shrub that reaches heights of growth of up to 4.5 meters. It has dense foliage of oblong- oval leaves. The white flowers are formed during a long period of the year in the axillary buds of fallen leaves. There shall be purple, seeded berries the size of a cherry (2 to 3 cm long).

Ingredients

The plant produces miraculin, which is biologically less expensive to synthesize, but a similar loss-leader exerts as sugar (glucose ) on birds.

In West Africa, the miracle berry has been used to improve the taste of acidic foods.

Effect

The ingredient miraculin influences the gustatory perception dramatically. The glycoprotein enhances the perception of the tongue for sweetness - to trick or bitter taste suddenly sweet. However, the taste of Sharp does not change contrary to various media reports.

Due to its special and surprising effect the enjoyment of the miracle berry in the U.S. and growing in Germany popularity.

Occurrence

The miracle berry grows in the lowland areas of the hot and humid tropics. Original home is the tropical western Africa. There she bears fruit twice a year, in each case after the rainy seasons. For a flourishing acidic ( pH value between 4.5 and 5:8) soil, frost-free and a lot of moisture are required.

System

This species was planter in 1827 under the name of Henry Bumelia dulcifica Christian Friedrich Schumacher & Peter Thonning af Beskrivelse Guineeiske, pp. 130-131 described for the first time. William Freeman Daniell they presented before 1852 under the name Synsepalum dulcificum in Pharmaceutical Journal and Transactions, 11, p 445 in the genus Synsepalum. Other synonyms are: Bakeriella dulcifica ( Schumach. & Thonn. ) Dubard, Bumelia dulcifica Schumach. & Thonn. , Pouteria dulcifica ( Schumach. & Thonn. ) Baehni, Richard Ella dulcifica ( Schumach. & Thonn. ) Baehni, Sideroxylon dulcificum ( Schumach. & Thonn. ) A.DC.