Have you ever heard of a fruit that can make sour foods taste sweet? It’s called the miracle berry, and it’s gained the attention of many TikTokers and adventurous eaters alike for its unique ability to transform the way people experience flavors. There is even the trend of “flavor-tripping” parties at which people eat the berries and then consume sour foods, marveling at how lemon slices taste like they’ve been dipped in sugar or how you can sip vinegar like it’s apple juice. It sounds like something out of Willie Wonka’s factory, but miracle berries are real.
As one writer put it, it’s “a sweet tooth’s dream come true.”
But they’re not just good for a fun party trick. The little berry has some practical uses too. Here’s what to know about this viral fruit.
The miracle berry, scientifically known as Synsepalum dulcificum, is a fruit native to West Africa, but it can be found in other areas of the world, including central Florida. Although it may seem like a relatively new trend, people in West Africa have been using the miracle berry for centuries to sweeten sour foods and drinks.
Miracle berries themselves don’t taste particularly sweet and are actually slightly tart. But eating them alters the way our taste buds work, turning sour or acidic flavors into a sweet sensation — although the taste-changing effect lasts only about 30–60 minutes.
Berries in general are a great addition to a healthy diet, thanks to the antioxidants and micronutrients they provide. Data suggests that these berries have antidiabetic, cholesterol-lowering, antioxidant, anticonvulsant, and anticancer properties, but more research is needed to confirm this.
