Mangosteen
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| Missing image Garcinia_mangostana_fruit1.jpg Garcinia mangostana fruit of the mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) | ||||||||||||||
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The mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) is a tropical evergreen tree, believed to have originated in the Sunda Islands and the Moluccas. The tree grows from 7 to 25 meters tall. The edible fruits are deep reddish purple when ripe. The mangosteen fruit is known as the "queen of fruits," while the durian (Durio spp.) is known as the "king of fruits."
The outer shell of the fruit is rather hard, typically 4-6 cm in diameter, resembling a spherical, black cartoon bomb. Cutting through the shell, one finds a very pale, fleshy fruit 3-5 cm in diameter. Depending on the size and ripeness, there may or may not be pits in the segments of the fruit.
The taste may be compared to an underripe strawberry with hints of sweet orange. Mangosteen is rarely sold in Western countries other than in some Asian groceries. The red flesh inside stains, and is extremely difficult to remove.
To open a mangosteen, the shell is usually broken apart, not cut. Holding the fruit in both hands, press it gently (thumbs on one side, the other fingers on the other) till the shell cracks. It is then very easy to pull the halves apart along the crack, and remove the fruit without staining.
Health Benefits
For hundreds of years, the people of Southeast Asia have used the mangosteen, especially the rind, to ward off and treat infections, reduce pain or control fever, and treat dysentery, inflammation, diarrhea, gonorrhea and a host of other ailments. Providers of mangosteen juice claim that it contains more than 40 xanthones – which, as they claim, are powerful antioxidants.
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See also
XanGo, a drink made with mangosteen
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External links
- Fruits of Warm Climates: Mangosteen (http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/mangosteen.html)
- Know and Enjoy Tropical Fruit: Durian & Mangosteens (http://www.proscitech.com.au/trop/d.htm)
- Garcinia mangostana (Clusiaceae) (http://www.montosogardens.com/garcinia_mangostana.htm)
- Health Benefits of Mangosteen (http://www.mangosteen-juice-online.com/index.html)
- Mangosteen Research Studies (http://www.mangosteen-juice-online.com/mangosteen-research.html)
- Mangosteen Juice (http://www.mangosteen-juice-online.com/mangosteen-juice.html)