Miracle Berry (Synsepalum dulciferum)

Family: Sapotaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Miracle Berry, Synsepalum dulciferum, is an evergreen shrub in Western and Central Tropical Africa that grows up to 6 m in height. This tree has no medicinal value but is cultivated for food. The fruits are edible and can be consumed raw. Fruits are oblong berries with sweet and fleshy pulp. It contains miraculin, a glycoprotein, which makes bitter, sour, and salty food taste sweet. Twigs are used as chew sticks to clean the teeth.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Berries

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

sweet, fleshy pulp. — The thin-skinned fruit has a sweet, fleshy pulp.; The ripe fruit, although not itself that sweet to taste, has the ability to modify the taste receptors in the mouth, causing foods to taste sweeter.; The effect lasts for up to an hour after consuming the fruit and will, for example, make lemons, vinegar and other acid foods taste sweet.; Sweet foods, such as ice cream, will taste cloyingly sweet.

Habitat & North American Range

Fringing forest, preferring damp localities. (Zone 10)