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Synsepalum dulciferum

Shrub

HomeShrubSynsepalum dulciferum

Fringing forest, preferring damp localities.

Family: Sapotaceae
Height: 4 m / 14 ft
Sun
Light, Medium and Heavy Soil
Moist or wet

Plant Rating

Edible Uses: 4 of 5
Medicinal Uses: 0 of 5
Other Uses: 2 of 5

Native Habitat

Miracle Berry Synsepalum dulciferum native habitat is Fringing forest, preferring damp localities.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw. 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. The oblong fruit is about 20mm x 10mm. The berries contain miraculin which is the active principle that makes bitter, sour and salty food taste sweet by affecting the taste-buds. In this manner used for 'sweetening' palm wine, sour fruits and other drinks or food. Additionally a glucoprotein is present that depresses the appetite.

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