Mangosteen: Queen of Fruits

Scientific Name : Garcinia mangostana L.
Indonesian Name : Manggis
Other Common Name: Manggistan (Dutch), Mangoustanier (French), Mangostan (German), Mangostino (Spanish), Mangostano (Italian)

Origin
Native to Sunda Islands and the Moluccas, Southeast Asia.

Uses
Normally eaten fresh, juice.

Nutrient Content
Mangosteen is typically advertised and marketed as part of an emerging category of novel functional foods sometimes called "superfruits" presumed to have a combination of 1) appealing subjective characteristics, such as taste, fragrance and visual qualities, 2) nutrient richness, 3) antioxidant strength and 4) potential impact for lowering risk against human diseases.

When analyzed specifically for its edible aril, mangosteen meets only the first criterion above, as its overall nutrient profile is absent of important content, it contains no pigmentation (correspondingly, no antioxidant phytochemicals in significant concentration) and there is no scientific evidence of aril constituents having any health properties.

Should puree or juice from the arils be infused with exocarp phenolic extracts, mangosteen juice adopts the purple color and astringency of its exocarp pigments. It is usually balanced for taste with sweeteners possibly requiring juices from other fruits.

Plant Cultivation
The tree grows from 7 to 25 meters tall. The rind (exocarp) of the edible fruit is deep reddish purple when ripe. Botanically an aril, the fragrant edible flesh is sweet and creamy, citrusy with some peach flavor. Mangosteen is closely related to other edible tropical fruits such as button mangosteen and lemondrop mangosteen. They like fertile, well draining soil. Ideal temperatures are between 25-32 C. Young trees may need some shelter by other trees, like banana tree. After 6-8 months, shelter can be reduced to full sun. Fruits take around 120-150 days to mature. In Indonesia, fruits available in October-April.

Propagation
Seed, top grafting, and approach grafting

Varieties
Kaligesing, Wanayasa, Seedless, Lingsar (White Mangosteen)

Area of Production
North Sumatra, West Sumatra, Jambi, South Sumatra, Bangka-Belitung, West Java, Central Java, East Java, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara

Export
Taiwan, Japan, China, Netherland, Hongkong, Middle Eastern.

References:
- Reza, M.,Wijaya,Tuherkih,E. Pembibitan dan Pembudidayaan Manggis, Penebar Swadaya,2000.
- www.wikipedia.org
- http://www.litbanghortikultura.go.id
- www.indonesiafruitexport.com/ftype.php?frID=6