On January 5, I tried miraculin for the first time. Good times were had by all but on the whole I found myself slightly unimpressed. While PBR definitely took on a sweeter, vaguely cream soda-like quality, it still tasted like PBR. Guinness was impressive but I was getting more coffee than chocolate flavor–not bad, but my first urge was to want to add sugar. Candies seemed largely unaffected, but the kick was absent from both sour and hot–which did make them more palatable, to be fair.

I have two theories, since this seemed to be a common theme. One, I did not successfully coat the entire tongue–and I imagine the back and sides are important to the full experience. Two, I drank beverages too quickly after consumption. I imagine it needs time to sit, or something.

Lemons were definitely a great success. The juice especially was one of the most delicious things I had ever tasted. But as far as the evening went, I’m not sure I really felt like the miraculin really defined it. I enjoyed the Ethiopian food we had before a lot more.

I can’t really complain, though. The company was, as always, superb.