Diabetics’ sweet revenge and other tongue tricks

With an aging market, a solution for diabetics and their passion for sweets could be a very big reward for any entrepreneur. Franz Aliquo, puts together what he calls “flavor tripping parties” on both coasts. I cannot imagine the shuffle board crowd going to a “flavor tripping party” to get their sweet on, but it does open up a world of possibilities with one little red berry.

The fruit is called Synsepalum dulcificum and is packed full of a protein called miraculin that binds to the tongue and acts as a sweetener inducer when acidic foods hit the tongue. The effect last less than an hour.

A reporter from the Times Patrick Farrell met up with Franz while 40 people experimented with this fruit. He heard a woman comment that Tabasco tasted like “hot donut glaze” and cheap tequila could taste like a top-shelf Patron.

Imagine the possibilities with this fruit! I have no idea how abundant the fruit is, but the licensing possibilities are enormous as an additive.

Even if you do not want to build a flavor tripping franchise, I think chatting with anyone who bills himself as the “Supreme Commander” might be worthwhile. If you want more info from the Supreme Commander himself, drop his blog at flavortripping.wordpress.com