Mangosteen magic: Unleashing the health benefits of a rare fruit

Mangosteen (Latin: Garcinia mangostana) originates from Southeast Asia. You can find it in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. It is a small, round fruit with a dark purple, tough rind and snow-white, juicy flesh divided into segments resembling garlic. Its taste? Hard to compare—gently sweet, with hints of citrus, peach, and pineapple. Try it once, and you'll fall in love forever.

Mangosteen is not just a tasty snack. Its most valuable components are xanthones—powerful antioxidants primarily found in its rind. These are responsible for many of the fruit's health-promoting properties:

        
• Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects – supports the body in fighting free radicals and inflammation.
• Immune system enhancement – thanks to the presence of vitamin C and bioactive compounds.
• Support for the digestive system – helps maintain healthy gut flora.
• Antibacterial and antiviral properties – used in traditional medicine to treat infections.
• Anti-cancer potential – preliminary studies show promising effects of xanthones on certain cancer cells. Interestingly, not only the pulp but also extracts from the mangosteen's rind are used in dietary supplements.

Although the rind looks thick and tough, you just need to gently cut it and pull it apart with your fingers—inside awaits a white, fragrant surprise. The pulp is eaten raw, preferably with a spoon, while being careful of the seeds (which may be present in some segments). Mangosteen can also be used in fruit salads, cocktails, and smoothies, desserts, exotic jams, and functional drinks.

In Canada, fresh mangosteen is a rarity—most often you can find it in season at well-stocked stores with exotic fruits or gourmet shops. Mangosteen juices, extracts, and dietary supplements are also available, but it's worth reading labels and choosing products that are minimally processed.

This light and colourful salad with mangosteen is a true explosion of freshness and tropical flavour. Perfect for summer, it improves mood, refreshes, and looks like a postcard from Bali. Just a few simple ingredients bring you to an exotic atmosphere without leaving the kitchen.

Ingredients (for 2 servings):

            
• 4-5 mangosteen fruits,
• 1 ripe mango,
• 1 kiwi,
• 1/2 pomegranate,
• 1/2 lime (juice and a bit of zest),
• a few fresh mint leaves,
• optional: 1 teaspoon of honey or maple syrup.

Preparation:

        
1. Peel the mangosteens: gently cut the rind and pull it apart with your fingers. Remove the white pulp and divide it into segments, being careful of the seeds.
2. Dice the mango and kiwi.
3. Extract the seeds from the pomegranate.
4. Mix the fruits in a bowl, add the lime juice, a bit of zest, and mint leaves.
5. If you prefer sweeter salads, add a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup and mix gently.

Serving:

Serve chilled, for example, in glass dishes or a hollowed-out half of a mango as a "bowl." Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a light tropical-style lunch!