Mangosteen holds the title as the Queen of Tropical Fruits. It is a power fruit owing to its properties that are rich in vitamins and minerals. Regular eaters even claim that garcinia mangostana (scientific name) has strong anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties capable of reducing, if not totally eliminating, lumps in the different parts of the body. It is rich in Vitamins C, B-complex and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, copper and manganese.
This fruit is juicy with a mix of sweet and sour taste (although the sweetness is more overpowering). In the Southeast Asian region, Thailand is the biggest producer and exporter of mangosteen which the Thais call "mangkhud." Other than the Philippines and Thailand, the fruit also grows in Malaysia and Indonesia.
Here in Davao, this purple fruit is in season during the months of July, August and early September together with other tropical fruits such as the rambutan, durian and lanzones. And when they're in abundance, you can buy them at rock bottom prices ranging from Php35.00 to Php45.00 per kilogram from their regular price of Php80-Php100+.
This power fruit comes from a tropical evergreen tree which is said to have originated in the Sunda Islands and the Moluccas of Indonesia. At Eden Nature Park, there's a Mangosteen Mangrove featuring a wide area planted with just mangosteen trees. I personally took the photos below during our visit there.
This billboard below at Eden Nature Park's mangosteen mangrove section has more information about the Queen of tropical fruits.
