Mangosteen, a tropical fruit about the size of a tangerine, whose leathery maroon rind surrounds moist, fragrant, snow-white segments of the ambrosial pulp, cannot obtain a visa. Mangosteens cannot be legally imported into the United States. The publishers of Delish carefully select every product we present. We may earn commission for links on this page.
Yes, you can buy mangosteen in the U.S. UU. Here's a list of places in the United States where I was able to buy them. The popularity of tropical fruits has been increasing in the U.S.
While fruits such as bananas, pineapples, pomegranates and avocados have been the pillars of the country for many years, the most elusive fruits are having their moment. Lychee, a popular fruit in Asia, has recently appeared on American menus. It is known for its hard-to-break red peel and its sweet taste. Similarly, dragon fruit has recently been promoted for its many health benefits and beautiful color (via The Produce News).
But have you ever eaten a mangosteen? This tropical fruit is mainly grown in Thailand and doesn't look anything like a mango. It's about the shape and size of a clementine, purple and smooth, according to Martha Stewart. Although the skin is firm, the white flesh inside is delicate and soft, with a sweet taste and a touch of acidity. While mangosteens are becoming increasingly popular, they're hard to find in most U.S.
grocery stores. Asian product markets are an exception, and the previous ban on fruit may be the reason why it's not as well known in the United States. As Martha Stewart explained, Mangostans from Thailand are not allowed to enter the country unless they have been irradiated. The original reason for banning mangosteen imports to the United States was due to the fear that it would bring the Asian fruit fly to the country.
In the U.S., flies are a destructive agricultural pest and can pose a major threat to many crops. It is known to attack more than 400 fruits and vegetables, including apricots, cherries, citrus fruits, figs, peaches, pears, plums and tomatoes, they explain. Now that fruit is safe to import and purchase across the country, where exactly can you buy it? Your best option is an urban market for Asian produce during the summer months, when the fruit is harvested, or an online retailer like MiamiFruit. Whole Foods also occasionally sells the fruit, which National Geographic says is imported from Puerto Rico by Panoramic Fruit Company, but due to several factors, the company's mangosteen harvest is quite low and the fruits are often sold out quickly.
Good luck on your, hopefully, many adventures with mangosteen.
