3. Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana)
Called the “Queen of Fruits” in South-east Asia, mangosteen has a thick, purple peel that holds snow-white bits of sweet, melting flesh. Though named thus, it has nothing to do with mangoes. Among connoisseurs, the fruit is among the most sought-after tropical fruits with its complex flavour profile including lychee, peach, vanilla, and cream. Its delicate inside and hard outside produce an intriguing dining experience that calls for careful opening to prevent damage of the valuable sections inside. For millennia, people have utilised mangosteen in traditional medicine mostly for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial qualities. Strong antioxidants called xanthones found in the purple rind of the fruit have showed promise in several medical research projects. Outside their natural habitat, the trees are difficult to grow since they need particular growing circumstances with high humidity and constant temperature. In areas where they must be imported, this exclusiveness has added to their mystery and great market value.
4. Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum)
Though at first glimpse this hairy-looking fruit seems frightening, under its prickly surface is a delicious and succulent delicacy. Rambutan, native of the Malay Archipelago, gets its name from the Malay word “rambut,” meaning hair, which describes the soft spines covering its surface. With a texture like grape but tougher, the translucent flesh within tastes sweet and faintly sour. Every fruit has one seed, and the flesh clings to it like a lychee, hence needing some dexterity to eat elegantly. In each harvest season, rambutan trees can generate hundreds of fruit and are really large. Along with being great, the fruit is loaded in vital minerals including vitamin C, iron, and antioxidants. For their medicinal qualities, traditional medicine practitioners have long made use of several parts of the ramboutan tree—fruit, peel, and seeds among others. Because of its great copper concentration, the fruit is very helpful for maintaining good blood vessels and red blood cell production.
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