Description
Pitch apples are the inedible fruit of the Autograph tree (scratch a thick waxy leaf to write your name). It is in the same family as the mangosteen–a delectable dark purple pincushion-shaped fruit with snow white segments like a tangerine that are a prized tropical delicacy. Pitch apples and mangosteens are in the Clusiaceae plant family more commonly known as garcinia and are closely related. The pitch apple or Clusia rose gets its name from the sticky resin inside its pale green shell which was historically used to seal wooden boats. It is native to the Caribbean and South Florida but they grow prolifically here in Hawaii.
The mangosteen is often called “The Queen of Fruits” because Queen Victoria of England offered an award to anyone who could bring her a fresh one from Southeast Asia where they originated. The flesh of mangosteen tastes like a vibrant blend of lychee, peach and strawberry with a citrus-like tang. They are cultivated here in Hawaii but are a rare find on the mainland. The texture is soft, juicy and creamy, sort of melting in your mouth. I also added two Monstera deliciosa, the fruit, or spathe of the “Swiss cheese “ plant as the huge leaves have holes (you nibble the octagonal segments off of what resembles a fat green corn cob that tastes like pineapple and banana). I also added some jasmine blossoms and a pink hibiscus flower. And no, Queen Victoria never successfully received or tasted a fresh mangosteen but with this image on your wall you can live vicariously like a royal.
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