• "The mangosteen outranks in delicacy, if not all other fruits in the world, certainly all others of the tropical zone. I admit it is a joy to the eye as well as to the palate to feast on mangosteens." —David Fairchild, PhD., agricultural explorer, botanist and author.

  • Mangosteen Fruit

    The mangosteen fruit consists of a deep purplish rind, a succulent white pulp (four to eight segments), and between one and five seeds. The mangosteen fruit rind, while typically bitter, contains xanthones and other compounds that demonstrate impressive health benefits. The pulp, on the other hand, is pure taste-bud bliss—a sensational flavor unlike any other.

    The fruit comes from Southeast Asia where it is one of the few places in the world that it can successfully grow. This powerful fruit contains many special properties beneficial for good health. XanGo will always be a one fruit company centered around the mangosteen.

    "When ripe the Mangosteen fruit is delicate and agreeably sweet. It is at the same time so juicy, that many people can never eat enough of it, so delicious is its fragrance and agreeable its sweetness; and it is believed that the sick, when appetite or the power of eating has wholly gone, are nevertheless delighted with this fruit; or at least if they will not take to Mangosteens their case is indeed hopeless." - Herbarium Amboinense, Vol. 1

  • Garcinia Mangostana

    The mangosteen fruit is known in the scientific/botanical world as Garcinia Mangostana L.—named after the French priest and explorer Laurentiers Garcin who studied and diagramed the mangosteen in 1693.

  • Names for the Mangosteen

    The mangosteen (Garcinia Mangostana) also answers to similar names in other communities around the world. Heres a taste of the language and location variations:
    • Spanish—mangostán, mangostín
    • French—mangoustan, mangostanier, mangouste, mangostier
    • Indonesia—manggis
    • Philippines—manggustan, manggis
    • Cambodia—mongkhut
    • Laos—mangkhud
    • Thailand—mangkhut
    • Vietnam—cay mang cut
    • Portuguese—mangostao
    • Malaya—mesetor, semetah, sementah

  • Mangosteen Facts

    • To select the best table fruit, choose the mangosteen with the highest number of stigma lobes at the apex (the "bottom" of the fruit). This fruit will have the highest number of fleshy segments and the fewest seeds.
    • Each serving of mangosteen contains up to 5 grams of fiber.
    • The entire fruit is typically 1-3" in diameter—roughly the size of a tangerine.
    • The rind (or skin) of the mangosteen is 1/4-3/8" thick and contains a purplish pigment that has been used as a dye.
    • Fully developed seeds lose viability just 5 days after removal from the fruit.
    • Some people boil, roast, and eat the mangosteen seeds—which are also believed to contain unique properties.

  • Phytonutrients

    Derived from the Greek word phyto (plant) and nutrient (a constituent of food necessary for normal physiological function), phytonutrients—also known as phytochemicals—are natural, bioactive compounds found in plant foods. Most phytonutrients overlap and complement one another, boasting complete benefits that include antioxidant effects and immune system stimulation. In short, specific phytonutrients found in fruits and vegetables work together with other nutrients to protect your health.

    More than 900 different phytonutrients have been found in plant foods. And even more will be discovered in coming years. These protective plant compounds are an emerging area of health and nutrition, with new research reported almost daily.