Have you heard about miracle fruit? This seemingly innocent evergreen shrub has the magical power of making any sour foods you eat after trying it taste sweet!

I did some internet research and discovered that this is due to a glycoprotein called miraculin, which - though it doesn't taste sweet itself - binds to receptors on the taste buds to trick your brain and make it perceive acidic foods to be sweet. Apparently, it was first recorded in 1725 by French explorer Reynaud Des Marchais in West Africa who realised that the locals would consume the fruit to make bland breads taste sweet.

Fascinating side note: the United States Food and Drug Administration outlawed miracle fruit in the 1960s, apparently under pressure from the sugar industry which wasn't happy with an alternative sweetener hitting the market.

Whether that's true or not, it's a great party trick to eat a berry and then lick a lemon... the effect only lasts about an hour and wears off slowly but it's an odd one and definitely worth a try! They are truly incredible and pack a punch for such a tiny berry.

If you want to find out more, this is a fascinating article about miracle fruit: https://www.botany.one/2019/05/miraculin-the-miracle-in-miracle-fruit/