Mangosteen

Mangoustan

What it is

The story that Queen Victoria offered a reward to anyone who could land one fresh in England has no record behind it and appears to trace back to a fruit explorer writing in 1930. What is documented is that David Fairchild called it the queen of fruits in 1903, and the title stuck.

In the kitchen

Press the rind between both palms until it cracks and twist it open — a knife drives the purple juice, which stains permanently, into the white flesh. Count the raised lobes on the base: that is the number of segments inside, and the widest one holds the seed.

Goes with

Lime Coconut milk Vanilla Lychee Passion fruit Scallop

Same species

Kokum

In season alongside

Bergeron apricot Acacia honey Apricot Blueberry Wild strawberry Lavender honey

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