Mangosteen (1kg 160, 100 Pesos for 3)

AI Gourmet Analysis

Characteristics and Production Areas of Mangosteen

Mangosteen (scientific name: Garcinia mangostana) is one of the tropical fruits native to Southeast Asia, known as a luxury fruit and often referred to as the "Queen of Fruits." It features a deep purple rind, with pure white segments of flesh inside. Mangosteen is widely cultivated throughout the tropical regions of the world, especially in countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. In particular, the Davao region in Mindanao, southern Philippines, is known as one of the country's major production areas.

Mangosteen trees typically grow to a height of 6 to 25 meters and require over 10 years from planting to first harvest. As a result, the global distribution volume is low and the price is often set higher. The rind is thick and contains a latex-like resin inside, making it slightly challenging to peel by hand.

Characteristics and Nutritional Value of the Fruit

The flesh of the mangosteen is juicy, and its delicate balance of sweetness and refreshing tartness is highly regarded. The texture is smooth, with a melt-in-the-mouth sensation that is a distinct feature. Its fragrance is also refined, spreading with the unique freshness associated with fruits. In terms of nutritional value, mangosteen is rich in vitamin C, B vitamins, dietary fiber, potassium, and magnesium. Furthermore, the rind contains abundant xanthones, natural antioxidants, which have also garnered attention for their potential health benefits.

Challenges in Cultivation and Harvest

Mangosteen thrives best in hot and humid environments with plentiful rainfall. However, cultivation requires meticulous care; particularly during the seedling stage, improper temperature or soil moisture management can make it difficult for the trees to mature. Additionally, it usually takes 7 to 10 years—or sometimes even longer—for a tree to start bearing fruit, which is a major obstacle to its cultivation in agrotourism orchards or large-scale commercial farms. Major producing countries often see local farmers using traditional cultivation methods passed down through generations, with a strong tendency to ship only high-quality fruits.

Mangosteen in Davao, Philippines

The Bankerohan Public Market in Davao City is one of the largest produce markets in the Mindanao region, with many stalls supplying fresh mangosteen. As the surrounding area is well-suited for the crop, Davao serves as a key distribution hub attracting high-quality mangosteen from across the country and abroad. The main harvest season generally runs from April to August, during which many large, high-sugar fruits with a refreshing tartness are available.

Food Culture and Distribution

Mangosteen is most commonly eaten raw, but it is also widely processed into juice, jams, and desserts. Locally, it is very popular as part of fruit basket assortments or as a souvenir item. In temperate and subtropical regions such as Japan, distribution is extremely limited, and there are numerous climate and legal constraints to distributing it fresh. For this reason, it is challenging to establish mangosteen as an agricultural business within Japan, but should technological innovation and supply chain development progress, it could attract attention as a new business field in the future.

Mangosteen’s International Reputation

Mangosteen has enjoyed enduring popularity in Europe as the “Queen of Fruits” since the 19th century. There is even an anecdote that Elizabeth I greatly favored it. Its reputation is gradually increasing outside of Southeast Asia in other tropical and subtropical countries, and research into its functional properties as a health-oriented food product is also advancing in line with rising health consciousness.