History and Use of the Mangosteen

The mangosteen is a type of tropical evergreen, that produces a deep, purplish fruit. The flesh of the mangosteen is creamy, citrusy and sweet. Originating in Asia, this fruit has a long history, but is only beginning to become popular in the United States. A possibly apocryphal story states that Queen Victoria once offered a cash reward to anyone who could deliver a mangosteen to her. Unfortunately, there is no documented proof as to whether the Queen ever received her requested fruit. A lot of folklore ties the fruit in with Victoria, despite the fact that there is no evidence she was able to try it before 1891, when the fruit was brought from Trinidad. The correlation of Queen Victoria with the mangosteen is probably related to the fact that numerous people have referred to it as the “queen of fruit”.

Modern Availability

Now, mangosteen is much more readily available, and can be obtained either frozen, canned, or freeze dried in the West. It is grown in Asia, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, as well as other locations, but importation is restricted due to fears that it harbors insect pets. Irradiated mangosteens are now being imported from Thailand, since irradiation destroys insects that may be hiding in the fruit. However, many people are opponents of irradiated food, out of a concern that the process also destroys the health benefits of the foods it is used on.

The History of Mangosteen in Writing

The first article on the medicinal properties of the mangosteen was written in 1697, by Jacques Garcin, whose name is part of the fruit's scientific designation. Since then, many papers have been written, and the mangosteen has been famous around the world for its unique flavor and the difficulty of obtaining it. Modernly, most of the scientific papers on the properties of the mangosteen have focused on its active ingredients, which are peculiar to this type of fruit. These ingredients, called xanthones, share a number of properties with such healthful foods as grape seeds and green tea.

Mangosteen Transportation

The earliest attempts to transport mangosteen plants required a lot of planning and luck. Ship hulls had to be refitted and lined with copper, special cases designed for the plants, and extra fresh water brought along for the voyage. This means that few mangosteens were brought back alive in the nineteenth century. Around 1903, the mangosteen was first called the “queen of fruit” by David Fairchild, a promoter of the use of various tropical plants. Fairchild may also have been responsible for some of the associations of this fruit with Queen Victoria, since he appears to have been the first person to claim she offered a reward for fresh mangosteen.

Mangosteen Use in the Past

Folk medicines are said to have been being prepared from mangosteen fruit for hundreds of years before Europeans came into contact with it. Dried and ground, the rind has been used against internal and external infections. Poultices can be used to treat skin conditions, and an extract of mangosteen pulp was used to control fever. The mangosteen has also been reported to have been used in cases where an individual was sick, and unable to eat other food. However, historical sources also universally state that the taste of the fruit was the primary reason it was valued, in addition to any medical benefits.

A Legendarily Delicious Fruit

In many cultures, both Eastern and Western, this fruit has been held in high esteem, even though it has traditionally been difficult to get. A Dutch governor of Indonesia once stated that “many people can never eat enough”. Others have called the mangosteen “the only fruit worth eating”, “peculiar and indescribable”, and “the culmination of culinary art”. European explorers and settlers in southeast Asia have almost universally praised the mangosteen over the centuries, while lamenting that the fruit and plants were difficult to transport and rarely made it out of their home countries.

The mangosteen, once a nearly legendary fruit from distant lands, is being made more readily available. It's grown in many different locations around the world, and can now be shipped to the United States. Enthusiasm for mangosteen might seem overly high now, but people have been just as excited about it for the past several centuries. Could the mangosteen really be the queen of fruit?

More Mangosteen Advice:

What is a Mangosteen?

Often confused with a mango, the mangosteen is a different fruit altogether. Found mostly on the Southeast Asian continent, although it can be found in other places with a tropical climate, the mangosteen is a fairly small fruit. In fact, it’s not too dissimilar from a tangerine in size, roughly about 2-3 inches round. It has a colorful purple rind, while the inside is a white-colored fruit with between 4 and 8 segments.
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Mangosteen Health Benefits

The primary active components of the mangosteen fruit are called xanthones. Xanthones are a recently discovered class of polyphenolic compounds that are biologically active and structurally similar to bioflavanoids. These compounds occur only rarely in nature, with the majority being found in only two families of plants. Two hundred naturally occurring xanthones have so far been identified. Around forty of them have been discovered in the mangosteen fruit.

Xanthones and their derivatives have been shown to have several benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties, anti-allergic, and anti convulsant abilities. There are also other components of the mangosteen that have medicinal qualities ...
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Mangosteen – the Antioxidant Superfood

Mangosteen, a type of fruit that comes from a tropical evergreen tree originating in southeast Asia, has recently been getting a lot of press for its health properties. It's even been called a superfood, for its antioxidant properties and other compounds it contains.

However, some of the things said about mangosteen seem too good to be true. Is it possible for a fruit to prevent cancer, heart disease, and slow aging?

Here's some information about mangosteen, and whether or not it really is an antioxidant superfood. What's a Superfood, Anyway?
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Mangosteen and Lymphatic Disease

Mangosteen, a delicious fruit produced by a type of tropical evergreen native to southeast Asia, contains substances that can help boost and support the lymphatic system, improving overall health. Mangosteen contains flavones and flavonoids that help boost other antioxidants in the body. This include vitamin C and vitamin E. This assists the immune system in protecting the body, and keeps it operating normally.
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How to Choose Mangosteen Supplements

The recent popularity of mangosteen has caused a rise in the number of popular products made from the fruit. However, not all these supplements provide the benefits they promise. Avoid products that promise miraculous recoveries and results because of their use. Instead, look for mangosteen products with ..
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Recommend Mangosteen Products

Here are some of the current Mangosteen products we recommend ...