Mangosteen
Mangosteen
Hailed as the "Queen of Fruits," offering a refined taste. Beloved by gourmets worldwide for its exquisite balance of rich sweetness and subtle tartness.
Bearing the renowned title 'Queen of Fruits,' the mangosteen delivers an unforgettable experience. Cracking open the thick, deep purple rind reveals segments of pure white flesh, like precious jewels. Its flavor is a sublime harmony of rich, elegant sweetness and refreshing tartness that leaves a lasting impression. Its delicate taste and beautiful appearance have earned it the adoration of food lovers globally, truly befitting its royal moniker.
Why it's Called the 'Queen of Fruits'
Several legends explain the mangosteen's title. One popular story involves Britain's Queen Victoria in the 19th century, who supposedly offered a knighthood to anyone who could bring her fresh mangosteen. Due to its poor shelf life and the limitations of transport at the time, delivering it to England was nearly impossible. This tale of the elusive fruit that captivated a queen cemented its regal title. Additionally, its exquisite taste, the pure white flesh protected by a thick rind, and the crown-like calyx at the stem end are also cited as reasons for its noble name.
How to Eat and Select the Best Mangosteen
To open a mangosteen, hold it between your palms and gently press until the hard rind cracks open neatly. Alternatively, score the rind around the middle with a knife and twist it apart. Inside, the white flesh is segmented like garlic cloves; use a fork or your fingers to lift them out. Be aware that some larger segments may contain seeds. When choosing mangosteen, look for fruits with vibrant purple skin that yields slightly to gentle pressure. A rock-hard rind indicates the fruit has dried out and is past its prime. Interestingly, the number of petal-like lobes on the bottom of the fruit is said to correspond to the number of flesh segments inside.
Health Benefits and Use of the Rind
While the mangosteen flesh is a good source of vitamins B and C, recent attention has focused on its rind. The pericarp (rind) is exceptionally rich in potent antioxidants called 'xanthones,' believed to have anti-inflammatory properties and immune-boosting effects. For this reason, dried mangosteen rind has long been used in traditional Indonesian medicine ('Jamu'), often brewed into tea or ground into powder. More recently, supplements and juices containing mangosteen rind extract have gained popularity.
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