Updated on November 11th, 2022
A popular question from aficionados of tropical fruits is, “what does mangosteen taste like?” This fruit is tiny, round, and purple, and it has little to do with mangoes, as it does not resemble the fruit. It’s a tropical, fruity fruit that originated in Malaysia and grows in warm climates. The flavor is a mix of strawberry, banana, peach, and lychee, making it a delightfully sweet and tangy treat.
Mangosteen is a delicious tropical fruit with pearly white flesh that looks like a kiwi or snack fruit. This fruit’s sweet and sour taste makes it a favorite for many. Although it does not belong to the mango genus, it’s still popular as a popular tropical fruit. Here’s what mangosteen tastes like and why it’s so popular!
What Does Mangosteen Taste Like?
The taste of mangosteen varies from one person to another. The fruit is sour and tart, reminiscent of citrus fruits like the lemon and the orange. However, unlike these fruits, it does not travel well enough to allow you to enjoy the real thing. According to Queen Victoria, a significant cash award would be given to whoever can produce the best mangosteen in the best condition. Unfortunately, no one collected this prize!
Despite the different flavors of mangosteen, the fruit can cost you 8-15 dollars. So you should be sure to buy fully ripe mangosteens. If you have to purchase them unripe, you may notice that the fruit tastes green and vegetal. And it doesn’t freeze well, so you should be careful to buy it before it gets too cold. It’s essential to keep your fruits fresh so that they won’t have an unpleasant aftertaste.
The flavor of mangosteen is mild, but you can’t taste the same flavor when you buy it unripe. Its unripe flesh has a stiff texture and maybe vegetal or green, but the fruit’s flavor is unmistakably delicious. The flavor of mangosteen can be described as indescribable, but the taste of mangosteen can’t be described by science.
The fruit has creamy, pearl-white flesh and is often compared to a kiwi or snake fruit. Regardless of where it originates, it is native to Southeast Asia and Thailand. It is a tropical fruit that grows on branches of tropical evergreen trees. Whether it is the seeds, the fruit has a distinctive aroma and tastes of its own.
The fruit’s taste is somewhat unique. The flesh tastes tangy and sweet, while the meat has a light, delicate texture. The rind is translucent and light, with a sour tang. Unlike other fruits, mangosteen is highly acidic, and the acidity of mangosteen is a defining characteristic of the fruit. When eaten, mangosteen can be bitter or sweet.
Health Benefits Of Mangosteen
Antioxidant Sources
Mangosteen has a lot of antioxidants and vitamins in it. A class of naturally occurring polyphenol chemicals known as Xanthones is the particular antioxidant found in abundance in the fruit that offers it an advantage. Alpha mangosteen and gamma mangosteen are the two types of Xanthones found in mangosteen. At least 20 Xanthones have been identified in mangosteen fruit, the bulk of which are found in the fruit wall or pericarp. Free radicals generate oxidative stress, which is reduced by xanthones. Antioxidants defend the body from various ailments, including the common cold and flu, cancer risk, and heart disease, by destroying free radicals.
Immunity Booster
The Xanthones, in combination with the abundant vitamin C contained in mangosteen, work wonders for a more muscular immune system. While Xanthones help fights free radicals, Vitamin C helps to boost the formation and function of leukocytes, or white blood cells, which are crucial for optimal immunity. The higher the count, the more infection-resistant you are.
Boosts heart health and regulates blood pressure
Are you battling hypertension? I have some fantastic news to share with you. Mangosteen has a lot of potassium, copper, magnesium, and manganese, which can help you control your blood pressure. Potassium, in particular, counteracts the harmful effects of excessive salt consumption (sodium). It also helps maintain heart health by maintaining a regular heart rate and lowering the risk of heart attacks. Mangosteen also lowers cholesterol levels in the body, lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart disease.
Stomach Issues
Mangosteen is high in fiber. Thus, it can help with a variety of digestive issues, and it can aid in the prevention of constipation. The pericarp and peel of this tasty fruit are beneficial in treating diarrhea and dysentery. The fruit’s high fiber content also boosts your prebiotic consumption, beneficial to your intestines.
What Is The Origin Of Mangosteen?
The mangosteen is a fruit endemic to the Indian Ocean islands and Southeast Asia. Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra, Southwest India, and the Philippines, among other countries in the region, grow them extensively. And have been grown for hundreds of years there.
The tropical fruit was first introduced to the Western Hemisphere in the mid-1800s. With Jamaica as the dominant country, the West Indies was one of the earliest sites where it was cultivated. Later, it expanded to Puerto Rico, Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and even Florida, where it thrives.
They are primarily found in tropical settings. They can be challenging to come by in the United States and are pretty pricey; I spent $17.99 per pound. When they’re in season, I get them at HMart, a local Asian supermarket chain. Check your local Asian market over the summer to see if you can find them.
I can see why it’s called the “Queen of Fruit” in Southeast Asia. The Durian is known as the “King of Fruit,” but I believe the honor belongs to the mangosteen.
What Is The Best Way To Eat Mangosteen?
Mangosteens are simple to cut open and eat, but they aren’t always obvious just by looking at them. When it feels heavy for its size, is smooth, and the skin is purple, you know it’s ripe. When pressing the side, it will also yield slightly to pressure.
Score the apple around its equator with a sharp knife. Although a sharp paring knife also works nicely, a serrated blade appears the best option. Don’t go too deep; only about 1/8th of an inch is enough.
Then gently squeeze it, and it will break along the slit, and you can pry it open in half. The flesh you eat is the white core. Because the rind or skin is inedible, discard it or compost it.
The compression approach is another typical method of opening it. You’ll place it in the palm of your hands and pressure it until it cracks open. After that, all you have to do is pry it open with your hands. That method is messy and does not provide a clean opening, as does use a knife.
What Is The Side Effects Of Mangosteen?
Mangosteen is a tropical fruit with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Its natural habitat is in Southeast Asia, and it’s used to treat a variety of diseases. Mangosteen does, however, have some adverse side effects that scientists are aware of.
Mangosteen has long been used to cure a variety of diseases. Recent research, however, suggests that it may hurt some people, and it can produce complications in persons who have gastrointestinal or nervous system problems. As a result, eating the fruit should be done with prudence. On this page, you’ll learn about the other side effects of mangosteen. Continue reading to learn more.
Blood clotting has been observed to be slowed by mangosteen. It can raise the risk of bleeding in people prone to it. This is especially true when the fruit is consumed alongside medications that enhance the risk of infection. Mangosteen consumption may raise the risk of bleeding during or after surgery, and it should not be taken for at least two weeks before a scheduled surgery.
According to certain studies, participants who consumed mangosteen for more than 26 weeks experienced gastrointestinal issues. Bloating, diarrhea, gastric reflux, and constipation were among the symptoms. Mangosteen derivatives caused sadness and drowsiness in rats, and reduced motor activity was also a result of the impacts.
Conclusion
The fruit’s flavor is slightly different depending on its age. Mangosteen is a tropical fruit, so it is not recommended to be bought before it is ripe. The sour notes of mangosteen may be due to the fruit’s high concentration of sugars. While there is a difference between ripe and unripe mangosteen, they are similar in flavor and sour taste.
It has a velvety purple exterior and a tennis ball-like shape. Mangosteens are hard to eat straight from the tree, as the outer cover is too thick. Some people have even tried breaking it open with their teeth, but it’s not recommended for this. While the flesh of mangosteen is sweet and incredibly juicy, the skin can be bitter. It is recommended for those who enjoy tropical fruit with high antioxidant levels.
