In the photo, the magic fruit looks like a completely ordinary shrub several meters high. In appearance, it can even be confused with barberry. But don't trust first impressions. The real magic is revealed only when you taste its fruits.
What is this fruit?
Magic fruit, or Synsepalum dulcificum, also called miraculous berry and sweet puteria. It belongs to the Sapotov family, which includes many exotic and unusual species, such as star apple, shea tree, Turkish delight, spadodilla.
Plant Synsepalum dulcificum is an evergreen shrub with dense leaves and neat white flowers. Its bright red oblong berries look like dogwood or barberry, and their taste is mild and has a slight sweet tinge.
The "magical" ability of puteria fruits is that they briefly change perception, and sour food after them seems sweet. Lime, lemon, sorrel, green apples and other products become completely different for a short time and allow you to enjoy other nuances of their taste. The effect lasts from half an hour to an hour, but even in such a shorttime to try a lot of things. The main thing is not to get too carried away and not eat something that can harm the body, because even vinegar with magic berries will get quite a tolerable taste.
The Secret of Puterii
The amazing properties of the magic fruit came to him due to the presence of miraculin glycoprotein in his cells. Once in the oral cavity, it binds to receptors that are responsible for the sensation of sweetness, regulating their action. Interestingly, in a neutral environment, it suppresses them, so foods even with a high sugar content seem less saturated than they really are. In an acidic environment, miraculin has the opposite effect and enhances sweet receptors, drowning out the sour taste.
Where does the wonderful berry grow?
The magical fruit comes from West Africa, where for a long time it was known only to the locals. Europeans learned about miracle fruits thanks to the French cartographer Chevalier de Marchayse. In 1725, he explored the African continent and came across an amazing delicacy that the natives used when eating acidic foods. The most common use of puteria berries is to sweeten palm wine, a popular alcoholic beverage made by fermenting coconut juice.
Today, a wonderful fruit is grown outside of Africa. Plantations and small gardens where it is cultivated can be found mainly in North America (Puerto Rico, Florida) and in some Asian countries, such as Thailand and Japan.
Application
The magic fruit did not gain crazy popularity in the world, but its amazing properties did not go unnoticed by the pharmaceutical and food industries. In a number of countries, its berries are used as a dietary supplement and as a sweetener for unpleasant-tasting drugs. They are recommended for diabetics or people with high blood sugar, as well as for those who want to lose weight, but are not able to overcome the obsessive craving for sweets. Helps fruit and cancer patients. It does not cure cancer and other serious diseases, but it can cover the metallic taste in the mouth that often occurs in people after chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Besides the well-known effect, puteria has other advantages. Like many other fruits, it contains vitamins and minerals, amino acids, and fiber that is good for the intestines. From it you can prepare various cocktails, pies, desserts and use it as an ordinary product. The action of miraculin will be manifested only in fresh fruits, the shelf life of which is only two to three days. When drying or heat treatment of berries, the protein is destroyed and loses all its effect.
Own miracle tree
Magic fruit is a tropical plant that is used to living in conditions of heat and high humidity. But, with some effort, it can be grown in your own apartment. In nature, the shrub prefers medium acidic soils with a pH level of 4.5 - 5.8. It does not tolerate frost and extreme cold, but can withstand periods of drought and stay inshadows.
Under natural conditions, the plant can reach from 3 to 6 meters in height, but in the house it usually reaches no more than 1.5 meters. Puteria requires frequent watering, but does not tolerate stagnant moisture. The soil in her pot should be loose, easily breathable and well-drained. Dry air can cause yellowing or disease, so it needs to be misted at least once a day.
It grows in the form of a beautiful oval or pyramidal bush with a large number of leaves, which are densely located on the edges of the shoots. But puteria is in no hurry to grow; it manages to reach 50-60 centimeters in about five years. It begins to bear fruit much faster than many exotics. Already three years after planting, you can see the first magical fruits. To preserve all their excellent properties, it is better to immediately place them in the freezer. So, they will delight you throughout the year.
