Miracle Berry Flavor Tripping Parties Flip the Tongue

Joe Fornabaio for The New York Times

Imagine a teaspoon of lemon juice that tastes as sweet as maple syrup. Guinness that tastes like a chocolate malt. Cheap tequila that goes down as smooth as Patron.

If you think this sounds crazy, you're probably right. But this sensation is possible due to a tiny little berry dubbed the "Miracle Fruit." Once eaten, the Miracle Fruit (or Synsepalum dulcificum) rewires the way taste buds perceive hot and sour tastes, rendering them sweet. One of the hottest new trends in New York City, parties featuring the Miracle Fruit are called "flavor tripping parties." At a typical party, guests eat the berry, then go crazy eating a variety of foods like citrus, cheese, vinegars, pickles, and just about anything else you can think of.

Miracle berries are available online from the website www.miraclefruitman.com. They are also available in a freeze-dried tablet form. At nearly $3 a piece, the berries are not cheap, but they promise to be an unforgettable experience for your next adventurous gathering!