This week I splurged a bit and impulsively bought a two pound bag of mangosteens (Garcinia mangostana) from the 22nd and Irving Market in the Sunset. It cost me 13 bucks: expensive but well worth it! The main problem with mangosteens, if there is one, is that once you start eating them you cannot stop!
fresh mangosteens ready to eat
Originally from Southeast Asia, mangosteen is a round fruit with a thick purple skin. The pulp is whitish and looks something like a head of garlic, or perhaps a mini brain, or even a peeled albino clementine? The pulp is the only edible part of the fruit. Once you pop it into your mouth, you’re suddenly enveloped in wonderful tropical favors. The taste reminds me of passion fruit, citrus, pineapple, tamarind and yet mangosteen has its own flavor going on too. Really, you know, it’s not like anything that I’ve had before… hard to describe. However you describe it, the taste makes your mouth salivate! It’s soft, silky, sweet, tart and juicy. Maybe it tastes like heaven? The fruit’s great by itself as a snack or after dinner treat. You could have them with breakfast, or perhaps if you’re very creative in a vodka martini!
Well you need to find out for yourselves! You’ll have no regrets. My only regret is the carbon footprint. These luscious fruits probably traveled thousands of miles to satisfy my selfish pleasure.
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looks like a cranium, unhinged. delicious as well.
Ha! I have bought mangosteen at 22nd and Irving as well. In Thailand they are called the Queen of all fruit. I totally understood this once I bit into my first fresh mangosteen. They’re so floral and delicately flavored and unlike any other fruit I have tried.