The Mangosteen Fruit and Its Origin

The mangosteen tree is a tall tropical evergreen tree, pyramid in shape and traces its origins to Southeast Asia. Today, the mangosteen tree can be found cultivated in Asia, India, Africa, areas of Central and South America, and Hawaii. The fruited mangosteen tree is considered an ultra-tropical tree because it does not thrive well in temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. If temperatures fall out of proper range, the mangosteen tree will die.

Because mangosteen trees have such strict climate needs for growth, it makes it difficult to grow them. Mangosteen trees require lots of rain and humidity; yet, they do not like the soil to be too wet. The mangosteen tree's growth and development will definitely be hindered, if not destroyed, in cold temperatures, high elevations, salty ocean air and sandy or silt soils. Mangosteen trees grow best in the region below 200 latitude, where the conditions are rain forest-like and where they are away from coastal air. Mangosteen trees do well in rich loamy soil.

The mangosteen tree reaches maturity at around 10 years, at which time, the mangosteen fruits will begin to produce. When fully blossomed, the mangosteen fruit will be small, around one to three inches, and reddish purple in color. The cap of the mangosteen fruit is a rosette-shaped blossom.

The mangosteen fruit consists of an outer and inner portion. The exterior, or hull, is a deep reddish purple color, which looks harder than it really is. The inner portion contains the white-segmented fruit, which is segmented much like that of a tangerine. The creamy white mangosteen fruit is prized for its unique blend of sweet and sour-like tastes, making those who have sampled it think it the most delicious fruit in the world.

The protective exterior portion of the mangosteen fruit is thick and purple in color, and has an unpleasant bitter taste. This outer rind contains a purple juice that acts as a permanent die, and it also has a latex property to it. However, it is actually this outer shell that contains the mangosteen's richest and most important healthful attribute of all, the xanthones. There are said to be over 40 different xanthones contained in the mangosteen fruit.

So how can you obtain the mangosteen fruit? Basically, the only places you can get a fresh whole mangosteen fruit is to go where it is grown. The mangosteen fruit is exported frozen, dried, canned or as products derived from the mangosteen. It is then shipped to stores and companies where you can then purchase them. There are strict regulations placed on shipping the mangosteen to the United States because of fumigation reasons.

However, despite the hardship placed on shipping the actual mangosteen fruit, you can still benefit from the mangosteen fruit through the products it has been made into, such as mangosteen juice. When purchasing mangosteen juice, it is important that you make sure the whole fruit was used to make the juice and not just the inner fruit. Otherwise, you won't be receiving the full healthful benefits contained in the mangosteen.

Obtaining mangosteen juice is as easy as going to your local health food store or ordering online from a mangosteen juice distributor. You will most likely have a hard time finding this product in a regular food store. Mangosteen juice is beginning to become more available worldwide, thanks to independent distributors. Since obtaining mangosteen fruit juice is becoming easier, you owe yourself and your health at least a try.