What a sour puss. Get it? Aww.

Occasionally our inner nerds (aka “innerds“) get so excited over a class that we feel everyone must know about it. Presenting “A Slice of Class” in which we highlight a particularly revelatory/exciting/OMG/WTF class or section:

It’s not every science section at Harvard that has one class entirely dedicated to eating lemon wedges, Oreos, strawberries, goat’s cheese, and to drinking vinegar. However, this was exactly what this went on in section this afternoon for Science of Living Systems 11 “The Molecules of Life”. Read more about how after the jump.

The Miracle Berry, a West African fruit, finds it name from the astounding effects of a protein called miraculin contained within the tart and cranberry-like fruit. After eating the Miracle Berry, or the concentrated, freeze-dried pill form as eaten today, foods that are ordinarily very sour are miraculously rendered sweet. Very sweet!

The lemon wedges tasted like the most delicious and refreshing candy ever. The vinegar took on a taste similar to concentrated apple juice on the tongue, but on the throat it was clearly vinegar. The strawberries

It’s important to note that the effects of the Miracle Berry are contained largely to foods that are sour, rendering them sweet. In addition the composition of the foods is not altered, but rather our taste-buds are affected by the miraculin protein creating this Wonka-esque flavor!

Tasting parties or “Food Orgies” are held regularly in cities like New York, but why not host your own party and perhaps mix it is up a bit – what would dry wine or sour shots taste like under the influence? You can buy fresh Miracle Berries online, or the freeze-dried packet version from Japan (see image).