Author Topic: Question about effects of miracle fruit  (Read 7584 times)

sildanani

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Question about effects of miracle fruit
« on: January 21, 2017, 05:40:06 PM »
How would you describe the sweetness' effect on foods? Like actual sugar being added or like a sweetener? E.g.- (like aspartame lemon or sugar lemon?) I'm planning on buying a plant this spring and wanted to know. :)
Anisha

bsbullie

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Re: Question about effects of miracle fruit
« Reply #1 on: January 21, 2017, 05:45:59 PM »
"In  1968, scientists isolated the active protein responsible for making things taste sweet. Because of its miraculous way of making things taste so good, the protein was dubbed miraculin. When miracle fruit is consumed, the miraculin in the berry binds to the taste buds on the tongue. A person has receptors on their taste buds that identify sweet, sour, bitter and savory tastes. Normally, if you were to eat a lemon, your sour receptors would start firing. Under the influence of miraculin, however, the sweet receptors start signaling and suppress the sour tastes. The miraculin rewires the sweet receptors to temporarily identify acids as sugars."
- Rob

lisar

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Re: Question about effects of miracle fruit
« Reply #2 on: January 21, 2017, 07:14:59 PM »
It makes marginal fruit taste incredible.  It's more than just amping the flavor & removing acidity. Phalsa and unripe mulberry taste like hard candy.  Starfruit becomes mouthwatering. Malt vinegar tastes like maple syrup. Definitely worth having .

bsbullie

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Re: Question about effects of miracle fruit
« Reply #3 on: January 21, 2017, 07:21:03 PM »
My personal opinion, not definitely worth having on its merits alone.  More of a novelty unless looking to sell the fruit or for specific reason such as looking to negate cancer treatment side effects.  Just my opinion...
- Rob

sildanani

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Re: Question about effects of miracle fruit
« Reply #4 on: January 21, 2017, 07:58:16 PM »
My personal opinion, not definitely worth having on its merits alone.  More of a novelty unless looking to sell the fruit or for specific reason such as looking to negate cancer treatment side effects.  Just my opinion...
Rob,
Thanks for the blurb! Think I might find a way to try some before I invest. Seems like one of those things one has to experience on their own first. Probably going to order some from Flying Fox Fruits.:)
Anisha

sildanani

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Re: Question about effects of miracle fruit
« Reply #5 on: January 21, 2017, 08:02:17 PM »
It makes marginal fruit taste incredible.  It's more than just amping the flavor & removing acidity. Phalsa and unripe mulberry taste like hard candy.  Starfruit becomes mouthwatering. Malt vinegar tastes like maple syrup. Definitely worth having .
Lisa,
I've never thought of trying them with unripe fruits. Like I said to Bsbullie, I'm probably going to order some fruits to try to see if they're worth growing for me.
Anisha

bsbullie

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Re: Question about effects of miracle fruit
« Reply #6 on: January 21, 2017, 08:05:57 PM »
My personal opinion, not definitely worth having on its merits alone.  More of a novelty unless looking to sell the fruit or for specific reason such as looking to negate cancer treatment side effects.  Just my opinion...
Rob,
Thanks for the blurb! Think I might find a way to try some before I invest. Seems like one of those things one has to experience on their own first. Probably going to order some from Flying Fox Fruits.:)

Yeah.  I have seen a few people who think it has a good taste but most just try for the effects or for medicinal purposes. While it varies from person to person, the effects in seem to last from 30 min to a couple hours so sitting down to a bowl of fruit could be off putting.  Plus, there is not a whole lot of flesh around the seed.

Might as well taste it and see what you think.  The plant looks good and in a greenhouse, if you have the room, you could always grow it and sell the fruit.
- Rob

bsbullie

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Re: Question about effects of miracle fruit
« Reply #7 on: January 21, 2017, 08:07:50 PM »
It makes marginal fruit taste incredible.  It's more than just amping the flavor & removing acidity. Phalsa and unripe mulberry taste like hard candy.  Starfruit becomes mouthwatering. Malt vinegar tastes like maple syrup. Definitely worth having .
Lisa,
I've never thought of trying them with unripe fruits. Like I said to Bsbullie, I'm probably going to order some fruits to try to see if they're worth growing for me.

While everyone has their opinions, if I have to eat a supplement to make the fruit artificially taste good, why would I need to eat the fruit.
- Rob

echinopora

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Re: Question about effects of miracle fruit
« Reply #8 on: January 22, 2017, 04:22:57 AM »
On the plus side a two foot tall one in a 12 inch pot will give you enough of them each year for the novelty to wear off. If you want seeds you csn have them for postage.

« Last Edit: June 15, 2017, 08:09:40 PM by echinopora »

geosulcata

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Re: Question about effects of miracle fruit
« Reply #9 on: January 22, 2017, 08:55:51 AM »
If you are looking to reduce cane sugar intake and currently use sugar in smoothies, juices, or on fruit, it is a wonderful plant to have. I have a miracle fruit before my smoothies and before eating berries because they taste so much better afterwards. The best is making lemonade without any sugar - just fresh lemon juice and water. It tastes just like sugar filled lemon aid after one miracle fruit. I now make all my fruit juices without sugar - guanábana, mora, naranjilla.
They are easy to grow in a pot with peat moss and a little sand. Just water with rain water. I keep a shallow pan of water under mine. I add coffee grounds and compost from time to time.

ricshaw

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Re: Question about effects of miracle fruit
« Reply #10 on: January 22, 2017, 02:43:29 PM »
The couple of times I tried Miracle fruit I did not experience the desired results. Does it not work for everybody or did I get bad fruit?

waxy

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Re: Question about effects of miracle fruit
« Reply #11 on: January 22, 2017, 04:00:54 PM »
Just disregard what the online buillie says and enjoy the experience.
I didn't really read what he said but I assume it's something that deters people from experiencing it the first time.
As mentioned it's more of a novelty than to indulge.

Granted the fruit is small, bite and slosh it a around your entire mouth.
This will enhance the effects and aid you in enjoying your experience.
The effects last 1 hour or more with this method, rather than chew and swallow.
I have a few diabetic friends that enjoy this fruit with tart passion fruit, oranges, and they love it.

Initially I was concerned about it as much as you, lots of negative reviews but I said screw it and purchased a small 2 foot tree.
Several years later it's 4 times larger with fruit 2-3 times a year by the handfuls.

« Last Edit: January 22, 2017, 04:03:15 PM by waxy »

bsbullie

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Re: Question about effects of miracle fruit
« Reply #12 on: January 22, 2017, 04:07:13 PM »
Just disregard what the online buillie says and enjoy the experience.
I didn't really read what he said but I assume it's something that deters people from experiencing it the first time.
As mentioned about it's more of a novelty than to indulge.

Granted the fruit is small, bite and slosh it a round your entire mouth.
This will enhance the effects and aid you in enjoying your experience.
The effects last 1 hour or more with this method, rather than chew and swallow.
I have a few diabetic friends that enjoy this fruit with tart passion fruit, oranges, and they love it.

Initially I was concerned about it as much as you, lots of negative reviews but I said screw it and purchased a small 2 foot tree.
Several years later it's 4 times larger with fruit 2-3 times a year by the handfuls.

I really dont care what the experts think.  Its obviosly waxy is an expert and only his advice should be followed.  Its a known fact he has way more experience with growing and sharing with others.  In fact, he can probably explain why its the most popular selling of all fruit trees and shrubs and why everyone should have it.

I am really a total moron who just posts garbage without any knowledge on the subject.  I make it all up out of thin air as I go along.
- Rob

bsbullie

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Re: Question about effects of miracle fruit
« Reply #13 on: January 22, 2017, 04:09:56 PM »
The couple of times I tried Miracle fruit I did not experience the desired results. Does it not work for everybody or did I get bad fruit?

I have shared the fruit with what I would guess is well over a hundred people and there was only one person I can recall who said they did not experience any effects from it.
- Rob

sildanani

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Re: Question about effects of miracle fruit
« Reply #14 on: January 22, 2017, 04:47:20 PM »
Just disregard what the online buillie says and enjoy the experience.
I didn't really read what he said but I assume it's something that deters people from experiencing it the first time.
As mentioned about it's more of a novelty than to indulge.

Granted the fruit is small, bite and slosh it a round your entire mouth.
This will enhance the effects and aid you in enjoying your experience.
The effects last 1 hour or more with this method, rather than chew and swallow.
I have a few diabetic friends that enjoy this fruit with tart passion fruit, oranges, and they love it.

Initially I was concerned about it as much as you, lots of negative reviews but I said screw it and purchased a small 2 foot tree.
Several years later it's 4 times larger with fruit 2-3 times a year by the handfuls.

I really dont care what the experts think.  Its obviosly waxy is an expert and only his advice should be followed.  Its a known fact he has way more experience with growing and sharing with others.  In fact, he can probably explain why its the most popular selling of all fruit trees and shrubs and why everyone should have it.

I am really a total moron who just posts garbage without any knowledge on the subject.  I make it all up out of thin air as I go along.
XD
Anisha

PahoaJo

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Re: Question about effects of miracle fruit
« Reply #15 on: January 22, 2017, 04:53:07 PM »
I personally think it is more of a novelty thing, but for those who genuinely can't have sugar it is great.  I think it just makes things taste artificially sweetened, which I don't like.  But if you don't mind that "flavor" then you'll probably like it more than me.

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Re: Question about effects of miracle fruit
« Reply #16 on: January 22, 2017, 05:54:05 PM »
How would you describe the sweetness' effect on foods? Like actual sugar being added or like a sweetener? E.g.- (like aspartame lemon or sugar lemon?) I'm planning on buying a plant this spring and wanted to know. :)
In my opinion miracle fruit has a kind of sacharin like taste, and even after taste. I like it with certain fruits, but not so much with others. It's also good with some wines, and other foods, not just fruits. Granted that in this country it is mostly a novelty. But i think that is largely due to the fact that the FDA, with pressure from sugar industries, did not approve miracle fruit as a sweetness enhancer. In other countries where there is not this legal barrier miracle fruit does indeed have commercial uses. For example, in Japan i've heard it is widely grown and used. The Japanese have also found a patented way to freeze dry the fruit and maintain the effects. The Chinese have copied this method and sell it as a sweetness enhancer. There are restaurants in Japan that specialize in low calorie foods. They serve desserts with miracle fruit that are very low calorie but taste very sweet.
Oscar

sildanani

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Re: Question about effects of miracle fruit
« Reply #17 on: January 22, 2017, 10:40:37 PM »
Thank you all for the responses. I will be trading a Sundrops (Eugenia victoriana) seedling with a friend of mine from FL for some fruits. Based off of mixed responses, (Like I said before) its probably best that I try some fruits for myself! ;)
Anisha

bsbullie

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Re: Question about effects of miracle fruit
« Reply #18 on: January 22, 2017, 10:44:09 PM »
Thank you all for the responses. I will be trading a Sundrops (Eugenia victoriana) seedling with a friend of mine from FL for some fruits. Based off of mixed responses, (Like I said before) its probably best that I try some fruits for myself! ;)

Agreed and despite an ignorant reaponse from another member, I was just passing on information based on my direct eating experience and the responses from many many people I have shared the eating experience with.
- Rob

sildanani

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Re: Question about effects of miracle fruit
« Reply #19 on: January 22, 2017, 10:50:10 PM »
Thank you all for the responses. I will be trading a Sundrops (Eugenia victoriana) seedling with a friend of mine from FL for some fruits. Based off of mixed responses, (Like I said before) its probably best that I try some fruits for myself! ;)

Agreed and despite an ignorant reaponse from another member, I was just passing on information based on my direct eating experience and the responses from many many people I have shared the eating experience with.
I get it. One could say the response was a bit unnecessary lol.
Anisha

bsbullie

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Re: Question about effects of miracle fruit
« Reply #20 on: January 22, 2017, 11:00:36 PM »
Thank you all for the responses. I will be trading a Sundrops (Eugenia victoriana) seedling with a friend of mine from FL for some fruits. Based off of mixed responses, (Like I said before) its probably best that I try some fruits for myself! ;)

Agreed and despite an ignorant reaponse from another member, I was just passing on information based on my direct eating experience and the responses from many many people I have shared the eating experience with.
I get it. One could say the response was a bit unnecessary lol.

To add to different people have different tastes...Oscar knkws i respect him and his opinions, experience and knowledge very much but as I said before, if I need to artificially sweeten a fruit, then I would rather not eat that fruit.  I would also never want to make a wine sweet.  I could not imagine the taste of a Rhone, Bordeaux, Cali Cab, Burgundy or any other red table wine after eating a miracle fruit.  If I want a dessert wine I will drink a dessert wine (and I very much enjoy a dessert wine).  Sorry Oscar, just my 2 pennies...
- Rob

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Re: Question about effects of miracle fruit
« Reply #21 on: January 22, 2017, 11:32:02 PM »
Thank you all for the responses. I will be trading a Sundrops (Eugenia victoriana) seedling with a friend of mine from FL for some fruits. Based off of mixed responses, (Like I said before) its probably best that I try some fruits for myself! ;)

Agreed and despite an ignorant reaponse from another member, I was just passing on information based on my direct eating experience and the responses from many many people I have shared the eating experience with.
I get it. One could say the response was a bit unnecessary lol.

To add to different people have different tastes...Oscar knkws i respect him and his opinions, experience and knowledge very much but as I said before, if I need to artificially sweeten a fruit, then I would rather not eat that fruit.  I would also never want to make a wine sweet.  I could not imagine the taste of a Rhone, Bordeaux, Cali Cab, Burgundy or any other red table wine after eating a miracle fruit.  If I want a dessert wine I will drink a dessert wine (and I very much enjoy a dessert wine).  Sorry Oscar, just my 2 pennies...
It's been used in Africa to improve taste of wine, where probably wine is inferior quality, there is not so much selection, and people are a lot poorer.
Oscar

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Re: Question about effects of miracle fruit
« Reply #22 on: January 22, 2017, 11:35:37 PM »
I have had a couple of really good Bordeaux blends from South Africa but most I have tried have been mediocre to lousy.
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Re: Question about effects of miracle fruit
« Reply #23 on: January 22, 2017, 11:36:16 PM »
I make my own water kefir ( probiotic ) which is rather acidic,  I tried it the other day with miracle berry, now it taste like a sweet soda.
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stuartdaly88

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Re: Question about effects of miracle fruit
« Reply #24 on: January 23, 2017, 12:22:27 AM »
I have had a couple of really good Bordeaux blends from South Africa but most I have tried have been mediocre to lousy.

South Africa has many world class wines and hundreds of excellent vineyards in the cape wine route, but S.A is unique in Africa with a strange history.  Many other African countries dont have the climate or the money and infrastructure for this, I can imagine selection being very poor.

I still cant wait to try miracle fruit, better than adding sugar at least im sure! Rather than adding honey or something to a tart fruit add a miracle fruit before:) Sometimes you like a fruit but it is just a bit tart to enjoy plain.
I like Merlot and my wife like sweet wine maybe then we could both drink merlot ha ha

Edit:

Ok looking after posting this seems African wines from the rest of the continent are coming up in the world! good stuff :)

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/01/09/business/five-african-wines-making-a-splash/index.html
« Last Edit: January 23, 2017, 12:31:08 AM by stuartdaly88 »
Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.
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bsbullie

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Re: Question about effects of miracle fruit
« Reply #25 on: January 23, 2017, 12:28:12 AM »
I have had a couple of really good Bordeaux blends from South Africa but most I have tried have been mediocre to lousy.

South Africa has many world class wines and hundreds of excellent vineyards in the cape wine route, but S.A is unique in Africa with a strange history.  Many other African countries dont have the climate or the money and infrastructure for this, I can imagine selection being very poor.

I still cant wait to try miracle fruit better than adding sugar at least im sure!

De Toren makes the best in my opinion.   Their Fusion V is their best but their Z is not bad either.   I find it far better than the pricier Ernie Els.
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LivingParadise

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Re: Question about effects of miracle fruit
« Reply #26 on: January 23, 2017, 09:27:50 AM »
To add a different perspective to this, I think there are a number of things that make it worth growing.

I personally am not huge on the taste, but it is certainly a novelty. I'm not a huge sugar person though, and it makes things taste so sweet that it alters their fundamental flavor altogether. Like, dumping a full cup of white sugar on top of it sweet. That was my experience of it anyway, which might vary per person.

I have heard that others do not respond to it. So this is individual, but I think the vast majority of people do...

If you want to try it ahead of time, you can purchase tabs online in places like Amazon.com that are very expensive, but should give you the general experience. If you are one of those who don't respond to the tabs of a well-reviewed brand, you might not respond to the fruit either.

On the plus side:
It's a small plant that can easily grow a lot of fruit. That alone can make it worth growing for many who have limited space for warm-climate plants.

If you are a sugar addict and/or diabetic, it certainly can be a "miracle" for you.

You can grow it for the medicinal properties alone.

It's worth a good amount of money. Consider that even if you're not into it, it will be popular with many people, and will be something people will continuously want to purchase - you can sell plants online/by craigslist, to your local nursery, and sell fruit at a local farmer's market if you have enough, or again online. Miracle fruit plants also make welcome gifts for most people.

It's fun to try purely for the novelty of growing, and is a reasonably attractive plant.

CAUTIONS:
The temptation to eat miracle berry with highly acidic foods purely to try out the novelty over and over, can harm both your stomach and teeth. Just because it tastes sweet, does not mean it is. Some people take this overboard without considering consequences, and will guzzle a bottle of vinegar or chew on lemons every day, and that can damage the tissues in your mouth, your tooth enamel, as well as your stomach lining/esophagus. It's kind of like if your skin lost the ability to detect the difference between hot and cold - doesn't mean you should hold your hand over a fire, simply because it doesn't hurt initially. Common sense is still needed.


I find it worth growing, but then again, I have enough space, and a favorable climate, and there's very little I don't find worth growing. If you're not a sugar addict and only had the space for 1 plant, I wouldn't think Miracle Berry should be the choice. But, if you have a little extra room or extra cash, definitely I think it's worth having in a collection, if only because if you grow it successfully it can make back the money you paid for it in the long run, and then some.
« Last Edit: January 23, 2017, 09:29:24 AM by LivingParadise »

Daintree

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Re: Question about effects of miracle fruit
« Reply #27 on: January 23, 2017, 01:33:35 PM »
I took some miracle fruit berries to work, and we all played around with them.  In spite of sucking the berries very hard, and chewing them up and swishing them around in our mouths, two people had very little sweetness response, and still thought the lemon juice and vinegar tasted very sour.  Others were chugging the lemon juice like crazy, and the rest of us were sort of in the middle.
I am wondering if there is something to the genetic makeup of people, where it works or it doesn't, sort of like being able to taste PTC or not.
But, it was fun, and broke up an otherwise tedious work day!
I have had poor luck growing miracle fruit in my greenhouse.  The leaves always get all brown and crispy, even though the humidity is pretty high.  Have the same problem with lychee.  Go figure.

Carolyn

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Re: Question about effects of miracle fruit
« Reply #28 on: January 23, 2017, 02:56:07 PM »
It can be fun to experiment with the fruit.  I my experience, the fruits themselves are a bit sweet, but not everyone that had them agreed. My nephew must have thought them sweet enough as he ate two of them in rapid succession. 

We tried a number of different fruits: lemon, lime, & grapefruit.  One thing I noticed was that the first fruit I tried was the best.  One day lemon was super good when I tried it first and the lime was just ok.  Another day, I tried the lime first and it was great, but the lemon was just ok.  In the future I'll need to see if this was just coincidence.

I did make one mistake, about 45 minutes after our taste test I opened a bottle of IPA beer.  I do not like sweet beer (or wasting beer), so it was a bit of a challenge to finish it.

As for the burned leaves, they do not like chlorinated water.  I fill a bucket and leave it outside for a few days to reduce the chlorine content before using.  That might help.
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Central Floridave

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Re: Question about effects of miracle fruit
« Reply #29 on: January 23, 2017, 03:03:38 PM »
I've got 4 or 5 or 6 mature plants in my yard. I forget how many as they volunteer in my yard.  And/or, that is from sticking the seed directly in the dirt and forgetting about it. They sprout and grow without any intervention from me.  They do need water though.   My tallest bush is about 6 feet tall.  I'm always happy when the bush is full of fruit or just one.  I like them.  First one is sour then the rest or sweet!   I drink a lot of beer and it does affect the taste of beer negatively.  Coffee is good with it.  But, beer. ughh..ruins the taste.   It is a novelty and fun to give visitors the miracle bush challenge.   I would recommend growing them. Like mentioned they are also ornamental.  Worth it.

BigIslandGrower

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Re: Question about effects of miracle fruit
« Reply #30 on: January 23, 2017, 03:21:26 PM »
I took some miracle fruit berries to work, and we all played around with them.  In spite of sucking the berries very hard, and chewing them up and swishing them around in our mouths, two people had very little sweetness response, and still thought the lemon juice and vinegar tasted very sour.  Others were chugging the lemon juice like crazy, and the rest of us were sort of in the middle.
I am wondering if there is something to the genetic makeup of people, where it works or it doesn't, sort of like being able to taste PTC or not...Carolyn

There may be some berries that don't have enough ripe flesh to make much of an impression.  I'd give those people two or three fruits to insure they've been adequately dosed.   
There also may be varying degrees of response in people, depending on how accustomed they are to eating sweet things.  This is just speculation on my part.

 I enjoy the fruits with mediocre citrus, but otherwise don't find myself drawn to them.

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Re: Question about effects of miracle fruit
« Reply #31 on: January 23, 2017, 07:01:37 PM »
I took some miracle fruit berries to work, and we all played around with them.  In spite of sucking the berries very hard, and chewing them up and swishing them around in our mouths, two people had very little sweetness response, and still thought the lemon juice and vinegar tasted very sour.  Others were chugging the lemon juice like crazy, and the rest of us were sort of in the middle.
I am wondering if there is something to the genetic makeup of people, where it works or it doesn't, sort of like being able to taste PTC or not.
But, it was fun, and broke up an otherwise tedious work day!
I have had poor luck growing miracle fruit in my greenhouse. The leaves always get all brown and crispy, even though the humidity is pretty high.  Have the same problem with lychee.  Go figure.

Carolyn
Try adding 50% peat moss into the soil mix. They like low pH soil. If your lychee plants are getting brown leaves other poster might be right and might be the chlorine, chloramine, or fluoride in your water.
Oscar

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Re: Question about effects of miracle fruit
« Reply #32 on: January 23, 2017, 10:21:34 PM »
Love my miracle fruit tree. Been eating off it for almost 2 years and still not bored. Small tree, easy to grow in container, very productive, and does well in mostly shade. The berries taste good, and change the flavor of just about anything you eat. Grapefruit tastes delicious without sugar. Passionfruit tastes sweet and not sour (I like sour, but sometimes want just sweet). An espresso tastes great with way less sugar. Beer even tastes different. Not everything tastes better, but nothing I have tried has tasted bad with miracle fruit. It's fun to experiment and show to other people. There are different cultivars, not all miracle fruit trees are the same and some are more effective.

sildanani

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Re: Question about effects of miracle fruit
« Reply #33 on: January 24, 2017, 12:03:38 AM »
I took some miracle fruit berries to work, and we all played around with them.  In spite of sucking the berries very hard, and chewing them up and swishing them around in our mouths, two people had very little sweetness response, and still thought the lemon juice and vinegar tasted very sour.  Others were chugging the lemon juice like crazy, and the rest of us were sort of in the middle.
I am wondering if there is something to the genetic makeup of people, where it works or it doesn't, sort of like being able to taste PTC or not.
But, it was fun, and broke up an otherwise tedious work day!
I have had poor luck growing miracle fruit in my greenhouse.  The leaves always get all brown and crispy, even though the humidity is pretty high.  Have the same problem with lychee.  Go figure.

Carolyn
Pretty sure it has something to do w/ genetic makeup. I did a similar lab in high school with special paper
strips. Most could not taste the "bitter" effect of the paper while about than 2 of 18 could! :o
Anisha