Live in the Philippines

Live in the Philippines helps expats with visas, moving and other services regarding the Philippines.

What is a mangosteen?

Food/Drink, Video / by

One of my favorite fruits in the Philippines is mangosteen.

A lot of people ask me, “Bob, what’s a mangosteen?”  Well, a mangosteen, as I said already, is a fruit.

“Ah, it’s some kind of a mango, then?”  Well, no, it is not a mango, nor is it anything like a mango.  It is not related to a mango, it’s not even the same color as a mango.  I am not quite certain why it has a similar name, but it just does.

A mangosteen is a deep purple color.  It has a few green “leaves” on the top.  I put leaves in quotation marks, because they look like leaves, but they are hard, part of the piece of fruit.  They are part of the stem, I guess, they hold the fruit to the tree.

The purple “skin” of the mangosteen is thick, about 3/8″ to 1/4″ thick.  The outside of the skin is deep purple, while the inside of the skin is more of a deep red color, and it will stain your fingers as you dig out the edible part of the fruit.  Really, the outer purple part is more of a shell than a skin, as it is thick and hard.

What about what’s inside, the stuff that you eat?  Well, the mangosteen fruit is broken up into sections, usually 6 or 7 individual sections inside each shell, but it varies.  The edible fruit is white in color.  There are small sections and larger ones.  The larger sections have seeds in them, the smaller ones do not.  The fruit is kind of a tangy “sweet and sour” type of flavor.  It is really one of my favorites.

In the west, the Mangosteen in recent years has become somewhat popular through it’s juice.  Supposedly the juice of the mangosteen has medical benefits, and the juice is sold by many companies.  It is expensive, though, I have seen it for as much as $50 per bottle (the size of a bottle of wine).  Fresh mangosteen in the Philippines is readily available here in my area for P60 per kilo or so.  That’s 2.2 pounds of the fruit for about $1.35.  Personally, I am not sure I believe in the supposed benefits from the juice, but I feel that if there id medicinal value, it is probably much more viable from the fresh fruit than it would be from juice that has been in a bottle for months.

I have learned a trick about mangosteen, something that few people seem to know.  Even when I tell Filipinos, they look at me in disbelief until I prove it to them.  You see, on the bottom of a piece of mangosteen, there is a little part that looks kind of like a flower.  If you count the number of petals on this “flower” on the bottom of the fruit, it will correspond to the number of fruit pieces inside the shell!  To prove it to yourself, you can count it over and over again, and each and every time it will be absolutely correct!  Like I say, few people seem to know this bit of trivia, but now you know it, and can amaze Filipinos when you are visiting here and show them!  Have a look at my video included in this article to see what I am talking about.

So that is my look at the Mangosteen fruit, which is readily available in the Philippines.  It is one of my most favorite fruits, and I buy it very frequently.  Give it a try, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it too!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Bob
    Very nice vidio, have one for me. We accessed it directly on youtube so we could maximize the screen.
    The Wife is over my shoulder watching as well, she says she loves them also and she also loves the “siniguelas”and lonzones.

  3. Hi Bob, great article as usual, you are correct about medicinal values in the mangosteen fruit,however,there are even MORE values in the outer skin or shell actually called a pericarb. The pericarb has been used in the early days of folklore medicine for tooth aches,and many other cures. have a great day Bob,
    Randy S

      • Hi Bob,

        I think the trick to getting the medicinal benefits from the mangosteen’s shell
        is to put the skin into a blender and puree it. Then drain the juice into a glass
        using a sieve. I haven’t tried it yet so I can’t comment on the taste of the shell
        juice. However I can confirm that mangosteen fruit has very nice taste!

  5. Hi Bob, Good topic. We love the mangosteen also, although they are not as readily available in Baguio. I think they probably do have some good medicinal value, and so I hope will help keep the family healthy. I have also heard that the outer shell has medicinal value. We have heard that you can blend the outer shell with the fruit, but not sure how. We usually just throw it away. Has anyone got a good mangosteen recipe? Gary

    • Hi Gary – Yeah, we need some mangosteen recipes! Good idea. I have never cooked anything with Mangosteen, I always just eat them raw! Ha ha.. they sure are good!

  6. Hi Bob. Hope to try this mangosteen when I visit the Philippines next month. My favorite is mango and lanka (jackfruit).

    • Hi Tina – I like mango and nangka (that’s what it’s called here in Mindanao), but I like Mangosteen better! Ha ha… something about it, it’s perfect for me!

      • Hey Bob, I also can’t wait to try the mangosteen when i go to the philippines. another fruit i want to try is the durian. i know it has a foul odor, but i heard it tastes alright. thanks so much for the info

  7. Hi Bob, I was just thinking of mangosteens the other day! It’s my favorite Philippine fruit too. I didn’t have it often since it was always expensive here. Thank goodness it’s more affordable these days with the availability of more fruit from Davao.

    Magnolia ice cream used to make an ice cream flavor called “Coffee Mangosteen” and it was delicious. The mangosteen in this ice cream was made into jam. I remember you could get mangosteen jam back in the day but haven’t found any since we came back.

  8. Bob..you really know how to torture someone….next to mango’s their my second fav fruit….I feel lie pavlov’s dog !

    • Ha ha… Maybe I can get certified in the art of torture, brian! It’s no problem for you, though… all you need do is jump on the next plane, and you can feast on all of the tropical fruits here!

  9. Hi Bob, your nickname of Mindanao Bob shows through in your choices of fruits. Being that durian is often referred to as “the king of all fruits” and mangosteen is considered “the queen of the fruits, they are both plentiful in Mindanao. Isn’t it so that mangosteen is often eaten as a “chaser” with durian? Mangosteen is also considered a “superfood” for it’s health properties. Luscious I guess like the passionfruit…

    • Maayong buntag, queenie! Long time no hear! I hope you are doing well. I have not seen people eating mangosteen as a chaser to durian before, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen, it just is not something I’ve seen. Might be an interesting combination! Yes, both mangosteen and durian are plentiful here in Mindanao. Know what, though? My first time to have Mangosteen was in Cebu!

      • Maayong Buntag sab Bob! A couple of years ago, I remember watching ABS CBN’s full weekend coverage of the Duaw Dabaw Kadayawan festivities, and the hosts of the show were introduced to durian and mangosteens eaten together and the local emcee mentioned that they are often eaten together. I’m not sure why…

        • queenie – Kadayawan in Davao is kind of like another festival in another place where I used to live…. Mardi Gras in New Orleans. People do all kinds of strange things during Kadayawan and Mardi Gras! 😯

          • I’m sure they do Bob… I just found on-line two reasons why durian and mangosteens are eaten together. One reason is that at this time both fruits are at their height of flavor. Also, eating mangosteens after eating durian is said to nutralize the strong odor in your mouth..

  10. Wow…I spent 2 months there and tried everything from Durian to Lanzones (which are awesome!)…and never knew about mangosteens. I feel like I missed out!

  12. Hi Louie – If I were interested in planting any crop in Mindanao, I would talk to Father Franco, and Italian Priest in Buda. He has operations there where he grows and processes all kinds of crops, and probably the most knowledgeable person I know on the subject. I am sorry, as far as I know he does not have an e-mail address, though.

  14. One thing I have learned NOT to do is to eat mangosteen in the semi-dark ie while watching tv. Sometimes out of 10 mangosteens it will turn out that 2 or 3 are overripe and no longer good- and i have on a couple of occasions only found out by chewing a piece. Most other fruits I can tell from the outside if they are spoiled, whereas the thick skin on the mangosteen hides the fact. [ unless Bob can show me a secret way of judging mangosteen ??? ie like counting the petals to know the number of pieces lol ]

  19. ho BOB

    This is one fruit i am yet to try mate i have eaten a lot off things in my time over in the phill but never this one i dont think i have sent it but not eating it mate but as always a lovely posting from u sir bob lol god bless to u and your lovely family mate and how is the home hunting going there did u find a new one yet…..

    from peter martn tassie

    • Hi Peter – Next time you are in the Philippines, give Mangosteen a try… you won’t regret it!

      Actually, Feyma is out looking at houses while I type this!

  20. Thanks for letting us in on the secret of counting the “flower petals”, this’ll make a good parlor trick 😉

  21. Hi Danny – I don’t know about in Maasin, but in many parts of the Philippines mangosteen is rare and hard to find. In Mindanao it is quite plentiful, though, thankfully! 🙂

  23. Hi Bob, Like the taste of Mangosteen but always feel like I need a shower after opening one. First had a friend in the States try to sell me some Mangosteen juice. The cost was very high but found that Wal-Mart sold it really cheap. Asked some folks in Michigan that came from the Philippines about Mangosteen and they had never heard of it. They were from Luzon. Lots of it here in Tagum.

    Cheers,
    Gary

    • Hi Gary – Ha ha.. so far, I have never needed a shower after opening mangosteen! I do need to wash my hands, though! Whenever we meet in person, I’ll give you mangosteen opening lessons so you can remain more clean! 😆

  25. Magosteen is really delicious – it tastes like Marang and the fruit has somewhat the same texture – but the taste of the Mangosteen is more delicious – love both fruits though !

    • Hi Michael – I like both mangosteen and marang, although I never considered them to be even similar in flavor. They are both good, though, that’s for sure!

  27. Hi Bob – Great article, I also enjoy Mangosteen but for some reason the fruit is late this year in the Talakag side of Bukidnon. Normally the fruit is available at the Cagayan de Oro Fiesta at the end of August but so far nothing yet. Saying that we bought some earlier in the year at the Kaamulan Festival in Malaybalay in March.
    Best regards.
    Jim.

  29. Hi Bob – Great article I thought I had posted a reply earliers but guess it never went through.
    I wanted to mention that the Mangosteen is late this year in this side of Bukidnon as normally its available in Talakag around the time of the Cagayan de Oro Fiesta at the end of August but still no harvest yet. However I bought some in Malaybalay in March during Kaamulan.
    I was surprised how many of the readers on the forum had never heard of or tasted Mangosteen. Another particular favourite of mine is Guyabana not attractive to look at but lovely to eat when chilled and for those who have never tasted the fruit it’s like bitter lemon.
    Kind regards.
    Jim.

    • Hi Jim – Sorry that your other comment didn’t make it through! Glad you tried again, though.

      A lot of people, when they hear me mention mangosteen, think I am talking about mango! It’s amazing how many have not heard of it!

      I have had guyabano… it is not one of my favorites, but I think I’ll try it chilled, as you suggest. I have only eaten it at “room temperature” before.

  30. Hi Bob. Actually the endocarp (white) of the Mangosteen and part you and most people like and is the botanical name “Aril” has very little nutritional if any value and for the most part is just good tasting. The $50 juice you mention seeing contain whole fruit purée or polyphenols is extracted from the rind or pericarp surrounding the Aril and this is what people make health claims over. The pericarp is a concentrated source of powerful family of phytonutrients known as Xanthones. It is quite bitter tasting but of course is sweetened by other jucices to make is tasty for consumption. Personally I have used the pericarp as a tea and its not bad with a sweetener. Like you I do enjoy the Aril better for taste as a fruit.

  32. I love guyabano too! We used to have a tree in our backyard. On hot days, we’d peel the whole fruit and mash it gently to take out the black seeds….add some sugar and water then plenty of ice…it’s very refreshing this way.

    • Hi Mita – It sounds pretty good… OK, between you and Jim C, I am convinced, I am going to try to buy some guyabano this weekend and try it again.. chilled or with ice!

    • Hi Mita and Bob – Try adding some kalamansi to the guyabano juice too and use crushed ice. I won first prize for this concoction when I represented Bukidnon at a 4-H Club Rally held in UP Los Banos (a long time ago).

  34. hi bob,

    I didn’t know that the number of petal underneath correspond to the number of seeds inside, that is a good tip, now i know how to choose a mangosteen. that fruit is similar to santol fruit, the texture of the seed and the taste, i don’t know if you have tried the santol fruit., maybe the santol and mangosteen is related to each other.

  35. Hi bob great vidoe clip finally got to see the man in real life well almost ,i will look out for these fruit when next i go to our central market here in adelaide we have had durian from tailand from there so i hope that maybe they will sell these little fruits as well ,thats a great way to explain things via the net who would ever have thought that i would be listening to a guy liveing in the phillipines telling me about a mangostein while he ate one as i was watching him on my computer in my home in adelaide south australia technology is fantastic aint it
    chris

  36. Hi Bob – I love mangosteen too and can’t wait til the big harvest next month from this side of Bukidnon. I prefer to eat them fresh rather than preserved as juice or jam. I personally know some people here in Talakag who boil the peelings and drink it to treat diabetis.

    • Hi Marilou – Nice to hear from you! I might try to boil some of the mangosteen shells for tea and see if it helps with my diabetes! Thanks for letting me know about that.

  39. Bob, a lot of the fruits and vegetables that are sold in Maasin City, come from Mindanao, but yes Rose said it is not in market too much. Her fathers truck goes to Mindanao every week.

  42. im with you on the mangosteens, but i think pipped, if you’ll excuse the pun, by fresh super sweet pineapple, what a way to start the day

  46. That is one fruit that is hard to find in Hawaii too. I guess it is not as popular with the Ilocanos. I guess it could grow here, but easier to find Lychee and Durian here.

  47. I’ll take 1 or 2 Kilos, please! We’re talking treats here, Bob! 😆

    Jay – They’re popular when they’re available. So popular that more often than not they are, “Sorry, sir, no stock.” Five Sisters, Robinson’s, makes no difference. When a shipment comes in, they’re gone! Don’t know how they’d grow in Ilocos – may take more water than we can spare!
    😉

  48. I’ll take 1 or 2 Kilos, please! We’re talking treats here, Bob! 😆

    (First time – comment hit as spam)

    Jay – They’re popular when they’re available. So popular that more often than not they are, “Sorry, sir, no stock.” Five Sisters, Robinson’s, makes no difference. When a shipment comes in, they’re gone! Don’t know how they’d grow in Ilocos – may take more water than we can spare!
    😉

  50. I’m coming over to R.P (Biliran Island) @ end of month and will be sure to have some mangosteen. All the fruits and foodstuffs I am looking foward too would make a long list. To celebrate our arrival the family will prepare a lechon baboy, and then the party begins!

  51. hi bob,

    im here in manila and it seems that due to the holiday mangosteen stocks in the market are down and i need to find where can i buy mangosteen. is there a possibility that you are selling mangosteen fruit or in any case know where can i buy manogsteen at this point of time. i would be using this for my research paper as a source for anti-TB.

    thanks,

  52. Bob,

    I would love to be in the Philippines all the time, I am filipino. But since I have to work outside the Philippines. I just take the capsules. I’ve had the fruit though, bought it once in London, it’s really good. Well it turns out there is probably more benefits from digesting the capsules because they included the outside part of it. That’s where the antioxidant is located. So if I were you I’d blend it, just a suggestion, hehe. I like this post since it relates to mangosteen and philippines together. Hey if anyone has time visit my site: http://mangosteencapsules.org.uk. I hope it’s ok with you that I promote my site.

    Al

  53. Bob,

    I would like to ask if mangosteen are available now there in mindanao ? Or the ones coming from thailand ? I really need it for my under graduate thesis.

    Thanks,

  54. Hello Um my name is an I’m 9 and I live in Luzon NCR. Metro Manila Quezon City.. U where is mangosteen from actually???