Miracle fruit Synsepalum dulcificum is less than is less than exclamation mark n a v is greater than is greater than cap S y n s e p a l u m space d u l c i f i c u m is less than is less than exclamation mark / n a v is greater than is greater than is a small, red berry from West Africa that temporarily makes sour foods taste sweet. This is due to a protein called miraculin which binds to taste buds and activates sweet receptors, with the effect lasting 30 minutes to two hours. The plant is an evergreen shrub that grows in warm, humid climates with acidic soil.