Indonesia, Thailand, & Myanmar
I had heard many people rave about the delectable mangosteen, but hadn't tried one until we went to Bali in late May, where the season was well underway. Since then, we've seen mangosteens in the markets of Thailand and Myanmar. In all of these places mangosteens are usually sold for about a dollar per half-kilo--about ten mangosteens.
While the mangosteen will never replace the mango (no relation) as the most supreme tropical fruit, most people agree it's right up there as one of the most delicious and delightful fruits.
Its hard and fibrous purple rind protects a white fruit that is tangy sweet. The fruit sections inside have a texture similar to but softer and spongier than citrus.
While the mangosteen will never replace the mango (no relation) as the most supreme tropical fruit, most people agree it's right up there as one of the most delicious and delightful fruits.
Its hard and fibrous purple rind protects a white fruit that is tangy sweet. The fruit sections inside have a texture similar to but softer and spongier than citrus.
To eat it, one cracks the outer rind, usually by just pinching and tearing it off. The revealed fruit sections slide out. Usually there is one section that contains a small tough seed, which is inedible.
Mangosteens grow on trees native to Indonesia. Nowadays, however, mangosteen trees grow all over Southeast Asia and India, and they have been planted in tropical places in the Americas like Puerto Rico and Columbia.
Once mangosteens are picked ripe, they spoil pretty quickly, so it's hard to find mangosteens anywhere outside of the tropics. The New York Times reported in 2007 that the purple fruits were available in NYC for about $45 per pound. At prices like that, I'd suggest you just hop a plane to the tropics during the mangosteen season.
Once mangosteens are picked ripe, they spoil pretty quickly, so it's hard to find mangosteens anywhere outside of the tropics. The New York Times reported in 2007 that the purple fruits were available in NYC for about $45 per pound. At prices like that, I'd suggest you just hop a plane to the tropics during the mangosteen season.
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