The miracle berry can make sour foods taste sweet. Should you try it?
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.
What exactly is the miracle berry?
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.
The berries aren’t cheap either. A container of 30 fruit halves by Fruit Me, for example, costs nearly $28.
How do the berries make sour foods taste sweet?
The secret to the miracle berry's magic lies in a protein called miraculin, according to data published in Heliyon. When you chew on the berry, miraculin binds to the sweet receptors on your tongue. Typically, sweet receptors are only triggered by sweet things like sugar. But miraculin changes the receptor's sensitivity, making it activate in response to acids instead of sugar. In other words, miraculin binds to your taste buds and temporarily tricks them into making sour or acidic foods — including citrus fruits, vinegar, sour candies and even tomatoes — taste sweet.
The result? Certain foods that aren’t traditionally sweet taste, well, sweet — think lemons taste like lemonade, but without copious amounts of added sugar.
What can you use the miracle berry for?
Sure, trying out the miracle berry at your next flavor-tripping party would be entertaining, but what else can it do? Here’s where this little berry actually has some practical uses.
Miracle berries makes bitter medicine taste better
Ever gagged while trying to swallow bitter medicine? We've all been there. Miracle berries can take some of the pain out of the process by making distasteful medications taste sweeter. While this won’t turn cough syrup into a refreshing mango smoothie, it might make your next dose (or your child’s dose) far less dreadful.
It can help foods taste better for people with certain health issues
For patients undergoing chemotherapy, taste alteration is a common and frustrating side effect that often leads to poor nutrition. However, some research suggests that cancer patients experiencing taste changes due to their medication may benefit from a miracle fruit supplement containing miraculin. Participants in one study reported improved taste perception after using the supplement, highlighting its potential to enhance their overall eating experience.
The berry may be helpful for those with conditions that alter taste perception, such as a loss of taste or smell, known as anosmia, or certain oral health issues.
It can act as a low-calorie sweetener alternative
For anyone looking to reduce their sugar intake, miracle berries might seem like the ultimate cheat code. By using the berries, you might be able to enjoy the sweetness of acidic fruits like limes or grapefruits without sweeteners, artificial or otherwise. It may even help people with diabetes or those managing blood sugar levels enjoy sweetness in their diets more safely.
They’re a fun party trick
Sometimes it’s just fun to see your friends’ bewildered expressions when they bite into a raw lime and say it tastes like candy. Hosting a “miracle berry night” with a spread of foods ranging from pickles to sour apple slices can turn an ordinary get-together into an unforgettable event.
Are there any side effects or risks?
While miracle berries are considered safe to eat, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Allergic reactions: Although rare, some people may have allergic reactions to the berry. If you’re new to it, start with a small amount and watch for any unusual symptoms.
Acidity overload: Because the berry doesn’t actually change the acidity of foods — it just makes them seem sweeter — you might still be consuming high levels of acid. For example, eating a raw lemon might taste great, but the acidity could do a number on your teeth or stomach if consumed in excess.
Unregulated products: Miracle berries are available online in powder, tablet and frozen forms, but quality can vary. Some products might not be 100% pure, so reading reviews and purchasing from reputable sellers is important.
Should you try it?
If you’re curious about miracle berries, there’s no harm in giving them a shot. The experience is nothing short of trippy — lemonade-cheesecake-pickle combos, anyone? — and you might discover an entirely new way to enjoy certain foods. Just remember, the magic is only temporary — so enjoy the sweet taste while it lasts.
Lauren Manaker is a dietitian and author.
