Sunday, April 26, 2009

taste buds deceiver


What you're looking at are some pretty funky berries. Alone, they're just some tang berries with a bitter seed. However, after consumption, lime tastes like candy, vinegar tastes like apple juice, and goat cheese like cheesecake! It's what known as the Miracle Fruit.

'The miracle fruit, Synsepalum dulcificum, is native to West Africa and has been known to Westerners since the 18th century. The cause of the reaction is a protein called miraculin, which binds with the taste buds and acts as a sweetness inducer when it comes in contact with acids, according to a scientist who has studied the fruit, Linda Bartoshuk at the University of Florida's Center for Smell and Taste. Dr. Bartoshuk said she did not know of any dangers associated with eating miracle fruit.'
- New York Times
Interesting yeah? Basically it gets rid of all the sour/acid tastes of foods. People have these parties called Flavour Tripping parties, where you pay $15 entry fee, eat a berry, and then sample all sorts of weird things: 'citrus wedges, cheeses, Brussels sprouts, mustard, vinegars, pickles, dark beers, strawberries and cheap tequila'.

The thing is, you can order them internationally, where it's packed with dry ice and shipped off. Me and my brother were thinking of having a party and order some!

Read more here.

teoh,


Posted by jediteoh @ 8:02 PM 2 letter(s) to the editor

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