Mangosteen is a dark purple fruit with white on the inside of the fruit from Southeast-Asia, Thailand being one of its largest producers in the world. Even though mangosteen sounds like a mango type, it is really very different mango. Now it is always available at Asian markets across North America.
#Tasty and Healthy
#Rich in Xanthones
Mangosteen - Exotic
About the Product
Mangosteen is the fruit of an evergreen tree. The exact origin is unknown, but is likely from Asia. The fruit has a purple hard leathery rind and is the same size as a small apple. Inside there are typically five to seven seeds each with a sweet juicy cover of white flesh. The pulp, which is said to resemble a pineapple or peach in taste, is reputed to be a very delicious food
Main nutrients
Antioxidants, Calcium, Fiber, Iron and Phosphorus.
Preparation
To consume mangosteen, the rind should be removed. This can easily be done by hand or with a knife.
Consumption
The sweet white flesh of the mangosteen is eaten out-of-hand but also used to make jam, syrups, juices and ice cream. The rind and seeds are not edible.
When to eat
Mangosteen at its best is spotted “tigerprint” shell and small. When the skin is still a bit green the fruit can be ripened at room temperature. The mangosteen is not fresh if the skin is rock hard
- The Mangosteen is also called ‘Queen of Fruits’, because of the delicate sweet taste.
- The rind is used for tanning leather in China. • An interesting fact about this fruit is that there is always a type of scar at one end. This is a remnant of the flower, and the number of remnant flower parts contained in the scar will tell you precisely how many segments of fruit are inside.
- The mangosteen plant is considered “ultra-tropical” and sensitive: nursery seedlings die at 8 ºc.