What Is the Miracle Fruit? Uncovering Its Mysteries and Why It Doesn't Bear Fruit

The miracle fruit is a very precious fruit. Its place of origin is in the region of West Africa, Ghana and Congo, and it is a typical tropical evergreen shrub. After the 1960s, the miracle fruit began to be cultivated in our country. If one absolutely had to add another modifier in front of "precious fruit," then it could be described as national-treasure level; the miracle fruit is protected in every country where it is cultivated, and its export is prohibited. So what exactly is the miracle fruit? Wherein lies its mystery? Why does it not bear fruit?

I. What kind of thing is the miracle fruit?

The miracle fruit, also known as the flavor-changing fruit, originated in the region of West Africa, Ghana and Congo, and was later introduced into our country. The miracle fruit is very small, oval in shape, 2 cm long and 1.2 cm wide; when ripe, the fruit is bright red, the flesh is white and juicy, and the seed is olive-shaped and dark brown.

The flesh of the miracle fruit is rich in nutrients and can be eaten directly as a fruit, or made into juice, concentrated tablets and so on. In the food industry, the miracle fruit can also be used as a flavoring agent.

The most magical thing about the miracle fruit is that after eating a little bit of it, after about 4 hours the sense of taste changes: sour and bitter things all become sweet.

II. Wherein lies the mystery of the miracle fruit?

The miracle fruit contains a flavor-changing protease (miraculin). Although it cannot truly change the flavor of food, it can change a person's sense of taste, so after people have eaten the miracle fruit, anything sour they eat afterward tastes sweet. After the miracle fruit is eaten, the miraculin in it becomes distributed on the taste bud cell membranes of the tongue; in a neutral pH environment, the sweetness-receptor protein on the miraculin will not bind with the sweetness-receptor site, and therefore the miraculin itself has no sweet taste. Therefore, as regards the miracle fruit's function of changing taste, it is a safe change and is suitable for consumption as an everyday food.

III. Why does the miracle fruit not bear fruit?

1. Lack of pollination: fruiting is the next generation produced by the mating of plants; if there are only males or only females, or if male and female cannot mate, then it is impossible to produce a next generation, and of course it is also impossible to produce fruit and seeds. Therefore, pollination of the miracle fruit can be helped artificially; the method is to raise flies beside the potted plant during the flowering period, and flies can also pollinate effectively.

2. Environmental factors: during the flowering period of the miracle fruit, the flowers and pollen have relatively low resistance to the environment, so during the flowering period of the miracle fruit it is best to avoid factors such as low temperatures, cold waves, rainfall and strong winds; in terms of artificial management, it is best not to water the whole plant by pouring over it, so as to avoid the pollen being washed off.