Mangosteens are a fruit that is grown in Southeast Asia and Australia.
The mangosteen has been described as tasting like “a tropical vacation in every bite”.
They are known as the “Queen of fruits” and have quite an interesting flavor.
This article will help you understand what the mangosteen tastes like in general and how it can be eaten.
What Is a Mangosteen?
Mangosteens come from the genus Garcinia which includes about 200 species worldwide but only one type grown commercially – GARCINIA MANGOSTANICA.
They are tropical fruits that grow on trees in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific.
They were unheard of until a few decades ago, but now they have become trendy.
They are a very nutritional fruit with high amounts of vitamin C and antioxidants.
Mangosteens come in many sizes – some as small as an apple or orange, while others can be as large as grapefruit.
The skin color is usually a light purple, and the inside is white.
Mangosteens can be eaten as is, peeled and juiced like oranges or lemons, used in desserts, salads, salsa – the possibilities are endless.
Mangosteen trees grow outdoors in hot climates with a minimum of 12 hours of daylight and grow indoors.
The fruiting season starts at different times depending on where they are grown: June-July for Hawaii; September-October from Thailand to India; November-December mainly Malaysia and Indonesia).
Where Does Mangosteen Grow?
Mangosteen is a tropical fruit that only grows in select areas of the world.
The mangosteen tree can be found on the islands near Indonesia, Sumatra, and Malaysia, where it has been produced for hundreds of years.
Today, they are exported to many countries worldwide and can grow successfully in greenhouses and outdoor cultivation.
Mangoes have long served as an essential staple to many cultures living nearby because they are abundant during their respective seasons–usually, late summer/early fall through early winter (Nov-Feb).
They also prove helpful when trying to maintain a low-sugar diet because the fruit is naturally sweet.
Mangosteen trees can only grow in well-drained soil and tolerate various climates but thrive in humid conditions with temperate daytime temperatures between 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit or 21 to 29 degrees Celsius.
They also need some protection from frost.
The mangosteen tree grows up to 30 feet high and produces white flowers that give way to an orange edible fruit that looks similar to its cousin (the mango) but has stricter skin.
The rind contains xanthones (a type of chemical compound) believed by many cultures living nearby as an essential part of traditional medicine for several ailments, mainly due to their antioxidant properties.
What Does Mangosteen Look Like?
The mangosteen plant can reach a height of up to 31 feet.
It has broad dark green leaves about 6-10 inches long and makes large pink flowers.
The fruit itself is typically sized at an average orange and may have some more general similarities to other citrus fruits, bearing in segments like oranges.
Seedlings may take 8-15 years before they produce fruit.
Occasionally, one tree has been reported to yield more than 1,000 fruits in a season, but most trees typically bear good crop every other year.
Health and Nutritional Benefits of Mangosteen
Mangosteen fruit has been used for centuries to bring relief from pain and fever.
Mangosteen contains antioxidants, which are natural compounds that repair damage to cells.
Mangosteen is a rich source of Vitamin C, which helps with the immune system and acts as an antioxidant in the body that protects against cancer or cardiovascular disease.
Mangosteen fruit contains xanthones.
Xanthones are potent antioxidants that have been shown to help fight inflammation, some viruses, and even symptoms of aging.
Xia Xin is another compound found in mangosteens called pyrones.
Pyrones can be beneficial because they act like natural antibiotics-they destroy harmful bacteria before it has time to cause infection.
Mangosteen fruit juice may do more than provide you with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and potassium.
It may also have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects.
What Does a Mangosteen Taste Like?
The mangosteen is a round fruit with purple skin and white, juicy flesh.
The mangosteen is a fruit that tastes like no other.
The flavor can be described as refreshingly sweet, like the taste of banana or peach.
Often compared to the lychee, it has an exciting flavor unlike anything else on the market.
With its light and refreshing tanginess, this exotic delicacy will tantalize your taste buds in ways you never thought possible.
There’s also a delightful vanilla essence, making this fruit genuinely divine.
Try it, and you’ll see why they call it the “Queen of Fruit”.
Why is Mangosteen Once Banned in the US?
Once banned in the U.S because officials feared importing the purple mangosteen would introduce Asian fruit flies, it was made legal again only after flea market treatments eliminated all traces of these insects in 2007.
Still a popular food to this day, imported mangosteens must first be irradiated to treat Asian fruit fly exposure.
How to Eat Mangosteen?
The mangosteen is a fruit that tastes like heaven, but eating it can be tricky.
When you first cut into the outer peel of this exotic and delicious little morsel, there’s often an unpleasant aroma that greets your nose – not to mention some sticky juice on your hands.
Before you dive in with a spoon, there are some rules to follow.
First and foremost: don’t eat the peel.
Instead, carefully cut through it using a sharp knife.
When cutting around the fruit inside, be mindful of any little pieces that could break off at this point – no one wants to bite into something unpleasant on accident.
Then discard the skin or use it for another purpose like making marmalade.
Since mangosteens can be rather juicy, make sure not to wear anything too fancy when eating them, as stains will occur.
And they’re best served chilled out of your fridge, so they’ll last longer without spoiling much faster than heating up.
Where to Buy Mangosteen?
The exotic fruit mangosteen is a delicious, nutritional, and healthy addition to any diet.
Mangosteens can be found throughout Southeast Asia (particularly Thailand), Indonesia, India, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka.
They are grown on plantations for export across Europe or North America to meet increasing demand.
The best place to buy mangosteen outside its native range is at Asian markets, stocked with imported varieties of mangosteen.
You can also.
Mangosteens are not only easy to find at your local grocery store, but you can easily order this fruit online from Amazon or have it shipped directly to your home.
How to Store Mangosteen?
Mangosteens are so delicious and refreshing.
They’re great as an addition to salads or eaten by themselves.
But what’s the best way to keep them fresh for longer than just eating immediately after buying them from the market?
Store your mangos in the fridge at home before consuming them; this will ensure they stay cold without rotting too quickly outside their optimal temperature range.
They can last for a few weeks if stored correctly and still taste good or better than when they were first bought.
Conclusion
Mangosteen fruit is a delicious, juicy, and tangy tropical delicacy.
If you’ve never tried it before, we encourage you to give the mangosteen fruit a try.
We have plenty of recipes on our site that will help introduce this flavor into your diet if you’re looking for some new flavors.
And don’t forget about all the health benefits – there are many reasons people enjoy drinking fresh juice from these fruits in their daily diets.
What Does Mangosteen Taste Like? Does Mangosteen Taste Good?
Ingredients
- Mangosteen
- Ingredients from your favorite recipes
Instructions
- Depending on the recipes you choose, the taste can vastly differ.
- For authentic results, it is important to choose a recipe that will highlight the original flavor.
- Have fun experimenting with different recipes and taste tests!
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