Mangosteen

The mangosteen fruit is a small, purple fruit about the size of a tangerine, with a rind similar in texture to the pomegranate. In Asia, it is known as the “queen of fruits” and is prized the world over for its taste and medicinal value.

Its scientific name is Garcinia mangostana and today the fruit tree is cultivated in the tropical regions of both the eastern and western hemispheres with commercial plantations in Thailand, India, Malaysia, and the Philippines. A number of other countries in both Asia and South and Central America are smaller producers of the fruit.



What is amazing is that the mangosteen (no connection with the mango) has never been utilized for its multiple health benefits in North America or Europe despite history and popularity as a folk remedy in Asia, Africa, and South America.
Until recently, it has been one of nature’s best-kept secrets. From the time a seed is planted, a mangosteen tree takes from 7 to 10 years to yield fruit. Even though the mangosteen is one of the slowest growing of the tropical fruit trees, it can reach 75 feet in height.

 Mangosteen is a dark purple fruit about 2 to 3 inches in diameter – the size of a small peach or apple. Mangosteens are unrelated to mangos.Instead of peeling it like an orange, a mangosteen is typically opened by pressing firmly or twisting the outside until it breaks apart.

The hard rind can be nearly one inch thick. At the center is the soft opaque white fruit, which resembles a head of garlic but tastes slightlyweet and tart.

Thus, it is a MUST to try out mangosteen as it is called as the QUEEN of FRUITS in Asia!!!








SOURCES: http://altmedicine.about.com/od/completeazindex/a/mangosteen1.htm
                    http://www.mangosteenfruitinfo.com/history.aspx