I was successful with this plant on the 2nd try... potted it with half perlite and half Pro Mix BX (a peat based potting mix), put it in bright indirect light, and tried to keep it evenly moist.

Fruit can be left on the branch to dry and will have the same "sweet-inducing" effect. The "miraculin" acts like a key in a lock on your "sweet" receptors, but the key only turns in the presence of an acid. Your "sour" receptors still taste the acid, so you don't lose the intensity or tang of a sour fruit. Rather, it tastes like it's been rolled in sugar. Far out!!

We almost have enough fruits saved up for another "flavor tripping" party!

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The fruit of this plant is truly a miracle. The small red fruit when bitten and moved around in your mouth is not the miracle, but after you move it around, you can bite into the most bitter lemon and it will taste sweet. In fact anything eaten after the miracle fruit tastes sweet. The berry is a source of a herb that increases the perceived sweetness of foods.

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I've been growing this plant for about 4 years. It has bloomed every year but last year was the first time it ever set a berry! I have it in a pot of pure peat moss and keep it very wet but with good drainage so the water doesn't get stagnant. Usually it goes outside in full sun during the summer but last year I kept it in an apartment where it got a bright exposure but not much direct sun and it seemed happier. I hand pollinated it with a soft bristle pain brush.

It seems like I waited forever for that one berry to ripen but the day finally came when it was fully red and I tried it. Turns out the information is true, it actually does make everything sour taste sweet. I can't wait until it blooms this year!

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