Brooke's 15th "Flavor Tripping" Birthday Bash

I bought some "Miracle Berry" tablets for Brooke's birthday party. The tablets are made out of what is called "Miracle Fruit." The "miracle," is its marvelous ability to transform sour and acidic tastes into sweet tastes. Items the kids tried were:

Lemons, limes, grapefruit, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, pineapple, sour patch candy, salt & vinegar chips, pickles, peppers (they felt like the heat was enhanced in a bad way lol), and tabasco sauce. I also had a supply of Tums should they need some. 

The fruit originates from West Africa. The pulp of the fruit which contains a glycoprotein is called Miraculin. A glycoprotein consists of 191 amino acids and some carbohydrate chains. Because glycoproteins are sensitive to heat, miraculin loses its taste modifying properties when heated over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. When the Miraculin protein is combined with acids it stimulates the sensation of sweetness in the tongue. Then, when sour or acidic foods are eaten it sends a message to the brain that the food is sweet tasting. This sensation can last thirty minutes and up to two hours, depending how long you leave the pulp in your mouth. 
Julian was crazy and ate like 6 really hot peppers. The Miracle Berry didn't have that much effect on peppers but did on the other stuff.

Brooke's "Flavor Tripping" Birthday Party (check out the video to see how the kids liked some of the food after sucking on a miracle berry).

Brooke :) 

Happy 15th Birthday Brooke!

Gabby and Brooke with the Red Bull Car. 

The Red Bull Girls came to wish Brooke a "happy birthday." Marquette on the far left went to high school with Brent.

Brooke and some of her besties. 

With some of the guys.