“Flavor Tripping” at EFN Lounge
Reported by Brandon
Last night EFN Lounge (formerly BeBar) played host to DC’s first “Flavor Tripping“, an event centered around the effects of the Miracle Fruit Berry (Synsepalum Dulcificum). Discovered in 1725 in Western Africa, the seed of the fruit contains a molecule called maraculin, which binds to the tongue’s taste buds causing a temporary shift of certain flavors.
Everyone gets one berry and the following instructions:
DO NOT EAT THE BERRY. Do not bite or eat the berry’s seed. Place the berry in your mouth and allow it to thaw. Remove the pulp completely from the seed with your tongue and teeth (without biting the seed). Swirl around your tongue for about 2-3 minutes to allow the glycoprotein to bind to your taste buds.
I did this and went taste-testing. The stage area was lined with food (mostly fruit) and an odd array of condiments like mustard, vinegar, soy and hot sauce. I was eager to see what the berry did to Guinness which was prepared with a squeezed lime. Vodka was right out as it counter-acts the maraculin.
Report: The berry removes the bitter and sour flavor ranges and amplifies any amount of sweetness. The effects very by person, but I noticed that high and low notes (the defining characteristics of most foods) were muted and replaced by a warmer, nectarous sensation. I’m not a fan of saturated sugar (except in snow cones) so I was pleased that the sweetness was more subtle, like a dark cherry as opposed to a fruit roll-up.
My Guinness tasted like red Koolaid. Lime wedges became delicious lemonade bites. I didn’t care for the soy or hot sauces as the berry actually heightens salty flavors and only delays capsaicin for a few seconds before the heat kicks in as usual.
Expect the trip to to last about 20 to 30 minutes and to catch yourself doing weird things like chasing Sour Patch kids with vinegar. And on your way out pick up some mBerry tablets to continue the experiment at home.
Comments & Trackbacks
I’m definitely gonna check this out next month. It’s like a real life Willie Wonka trip fest.
bloch_party said at 8:05 PM on December 12th, 2009
They actually show both versions of that movie while you “trip”. Makes the world taste good.
Brandon said at 8:11 PM on December 12th, 2009
Lemons were the yummiest. Grape fruit and Tabasco=FAIL
Jess Lightfoot said at 7:19 AM on December 13th, 2009
i liked the grapefruit. and the olives were delicious, too. lemons were out of control!
ian said at 11:14 PM on December 13th, 2009
Lemons were definitely the best! Like the sweetest lemonade ever and better,… I bought a pack of Miracle Fruit (freeze-dried) on ym way out and had another party at home on Saturday haha!
Does anyone know if they can be bought at the Lounge whenever – I’m thinking of buying them for all my friends as xmas gifts – they were packaged in special xmas packaging, called MIracle Frooties
Sam said at 4:35 AM on December 14th, 2009
You can buy them at the Lounge. Just email bgray@efnlounge.com
Bill said at 8:37 PM on December 14th, 2009
Whoa…Glad it finally caught on to our city.
This is so 3 yrs. old. when it was all the rage on the LES.
As much as we love this DC….pls. catch up folks. You are always late for new, old, curent, cool not cool..etc etc etc.
phhhfttt.
Mirabella said at 12:23 AM on December 21st, 2009
Mirabella – we’re glad it’s here, too. If you have never attended Flavor Tripping here in the district (or been to EFN), I highly suggest you do and experience this “old, uncool event” in a new location. I invite you to explore the new things that are assuredly happening in DC. Get in touch, I’m sure I can show you a thing or two.
Brandon from ReadySetDC said at 11:59 AM on December 21st, 2009
[...] Shaw – A new trend in taste combined with an evening out. [ReadySetDC] [...]
DC Link Roundup: Heard In The ‘Hood said at 10:19 AM on December 23rd, 2009