Description
Mangosteen fruit (Garcinia mangostana) is a unique pear-shaped, sweet, juicy, and tangy tropical fruit that has a deep reddish-purple colored exocarp (rind) when ripe. It grows on an evergreen tree native to the islands of Southeast Asia.
Natives in these parts of the world also refer to mangosteen as “queen of fruits” or “fruit of the gods”. This fruit has been a major part in almost every aspect of traditional medicine in these cultures. The rind of this fruit is used for its medicinal value for generations.
Mangosteen is used for diarrhea, urinary tract infections (UTIs), gonorrhea, thrush, tuberculosis, menstrual disorders, cancer, osteoarthritis, and an intestinal infection called dysentery. It is also used for stimulating the immune system and improving mental health.
When it’s fully ripe and freshly picked the fruit splits open very easily by gentle squeeze exposing the soft white edible insides. However, if it has been several days after harvest, you are going to have to use a knife to cut the hardened rind.•
To cut open mangosteen, with a sharp paring knife, make a 1/4- to 1/3-inch deep horizontal cut around the middle and twist off one half of the shell, exposing the white, creamy flesh. Don’t cut all the way into the shell, because you’ll damage the fruit.
Mangosteens are often served half exposed to allow people to pick out the flesh with a small fork. Please be careful when using a knife you may get cut !!
To Store. Ripe fruit at room temperature lasts for a few days. Unlike
mangos, mangosteens must not be frozen as refrigeration or freezing quickly causes damage. For longer storage, keep it at 10°C which will keep it in good shape for several weeks.
The number of petals on the bottom of the mangosteen will indicate how many cloves it contains inside. Be careful though, some of the larger cloves contain a very bitter and hard pit in the middle. It will be easier to eat it by scooping the delicious white segments with a teaspoon or small fork.
The taste can be compared to lychee fruit, but sweeter and it melts like ice cream in the mouth. Some say it reminds them of a cross between peaches, clementines, and mangoes. It is really hard to find the right words to define the ambrosial flavor of this fruit.
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