I had seen this on TV back some months ago and they are not in a grocery near us yet! Would be so good for people like my DH who cannot get enough sweets yet shouldn't have them.

Well I know the FDA banned it's sale for food purposes back in the 1970s. Most say it was probably a result of pressure from the sugar industry and perhaps from people who make aspartine which was coming out around the same time.

The reasons are unclear since the berry has been consumed for centuries with no ill effects. The FDA has a rule that says anything that had been regularly consumed before 1954 without health problems could have grandfather approval but apparently not this berry. Same thing with the herb stevia which is many times sweeter than sugar without the caloric penalties. At least you can buy stevia as a dietary supplement.

You can buy them mail order, but they are outrageously expensive. Google 'miracle berry'.

From what I read about it, the berries lose their effectiveness one day after being picked. They are also difficult to grow outside of a wet tropical climate and are particular about the type of soil. I think the main reason they are rare is that they are not really commercially viable - they are highly perishable. However, if they can make a powder that works, then that should be available.

According to this NY Times article, not everyone appreciates the effects, which I think could actually be more annoying than pleasant.

Lars

Here is a link that might be useful: Miracle Fruit Man

Well you can grow it as a houseplant. I in Mobile, AL where it is very hot and humid so I think I might be able to keep it out side much of the year. There are tablets available on ebay, I think it would be fun to have it before going out for a drink!

So is anyone on here going to try these things? I'm intrigued, but would like to hear from someone that has actually tried them.

Yes, they are really expensive because they dont last long and as yet nobody has grown them in the US, the miracle berry tree takes 10 years to bear fruit, so hopefully there will be an abundance in 9 years, as most people started growing them last year. The freeze dried tablets are easily available though, check out ebay or google.

Here is a link that might be useful: miracle berry

I tried some of the tablets I bought on ebay,(sealed foil package)and I must say it ruined the effect of my Guinness. Made it taste way too sweet. I liked the taste of coffee, lemons, vinegar. I also tried some apple pie and it wasn't much different, I thought it would be super sweet. It lasted for about 2 hours.