Thai fruits - Mangosteen

Mangosteen - Queen of Thai fruits (1)

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 rind (pericarp) of the edible fruit is deep reddish purple when ripe. Botanically an aril, the fragrant flesh is sweet and creamy, citrusy with some peach flavor. Often heralded as the "Queen of Fruits", mangosteen is closely related to other edible tropical fruits such as button mangosteen and lemondrop mangosteen.

The outer shell of the fruit, its exocarp, is typically 6-8 cm in outside diameter and initially white and firm. The exocarp softens during ripening and develops pigmentation from synthesis of phytochemicals, such as phenolic acids which discourage infestation by insects, fungi, plant viruses and bacteria. Progressively during fruit maturation, the pigments give the exocarp its characteristic purple color, affording the fruit protection from ultraviolet radiation and free radicals generated during photosynthesis. The exocarp pigments also provide visual attraction to potential seed dispersers. Isolation of exocarp pigments has revealed their identity as xanthones, mainly garcinol and mangostin, which, as phenolics, make the exocarp highly astringent and unfavorable for human consumption.

Cutting through the shell, one finds edible flesh, botanically defined as an aril, shaped like a peeled tangerine but bright white, about 3-5 cm in diameter, nested in a deep red outer pod. Depending on the fruit size and ripeness, there might be nested within the aril segments seeds that are not palatable unless roasted. The number of aril pods is directly related to the number of petals on the bottom of the pericarp. On average, a mangosteen has 5 aril segments that mature sufficiently for harvesting when the tree is 5-6 years old.

Queen of Thai fruits
From wikipedia