Mangosteen and Pitch Apple with Brazilian Cherries, Croton Leaves, and Jasmine 

Pitch apples are the pale green pincushion-shaped fruit of the Autograph tree native to the Caribbean and South Florida but grow  as an invasive species here in Hawaii. I discovered mangosteens when I lived in Singapore as during mango season after a mango binge natives followed by eating a few mangosteens. Mangoes are “heaty” and mangosteen are cool so the cooler fruit balances the one considered hotter to the system. Pitch apples and mangosteens are closely related and in the Clusiaceae plant family. Pitch apples split open as they dry out and reveal a sticky resin historically used to seal wooden boats.

The mangosteen is often called “Queen of Fruits” because Queen Victoria of England offered knighthood to anyone who could bring her a fresh one from Southeast Asia where they are native to. Once the deep purple leathery outer coat is peeled back it reveals snow-white segments like a tangerine. They taste like  a vibrant tropical blend of lychee, peach and strawberry. The texture is soft, creamy and also juicy and sort of melts in the mouth. They are not in any way related to the mango. The name is a mix-up of the Malay word manggis for the fruit. Early European explorers adapted manggis to the more familiar mango adding the suffix “steen”. Because the two fruits look so similar and mangosteens are locally grown in the Puna district of Hawaii I had to combine them in this collage with colorful croton leaves, Brazilian cherries, wild orchid pods and a jasmine blossom. And No, Queen Victoria never received or tasted a mangosteen.