Can I only buy it in season?
The guide gives its timing as: Main season April–August. The harvest period can vary with the growing area and the variety. The calendar does not guarantee that it is on sale on any particular date.
Mangosteen
Mangosteen · มังคุด
Try mangosteen, where opening the purple shell reveals white flesh in segments. It is sweet and sharp together, and very juicy. Despite having mango in its name, it is a different fruit from mango. It is also nice to share a few after a meal with your companion.
Peeled Mangosteen · Azreey · CC BY-SA 4.0
Resized for display · Photo used under CC BY-SA 4.0
When is the best time to eat it?
Main season April–August
Harvest listed as April–December
Khao Khiriwong mangosteen from the south: harvest period listed as July–December
Use the main season, or the harvest period for regional fruit, as a guide. Actual availability can vary with the growing area, the variety and the weather.
What does it taste like?
The white flesh is soft, sweet and tangy. The larger segments may have a stone, so eat slowly.
Why this fruit is well known in Thailand
The purple shell with white flesh inside and the sweet but fresh flavour are its charm. In Thailand it is harvested in different areas and at different times, so look for it to match the season you travel in.
Good to know before you buy
- Thai name
- มังคุด
- Harvest period
- Main season April–August
- Regional fruit
- Khao Khiriwong mangosteen from the south: harvest period listed as July–December
- How it is sold
- Look for damage to the shell and choose fruit to eat straight away. Because it is a thick-skinned whole fruit, the kilo price is not the weight of the flesh you eat.
How to prepare and eat it
- Press the shell open, or make a shallow cut around the shell only, and open it.
- Take out the white flesh and check the large segments for a stone.
- Take care that the red juice from the shell does not stain your clothes as you eat.
A guide to prices
Bangkok retail prices · 14 October 2026
These are prices by variety and grade, surveyed by Thailand’s Department of Internal Trade. They do not apply to every stall on the street.
| Fruit and variety | Price | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Mangosteen · smooth-skin grade | 40–60 baht | 1 kg |
Keep the price of a bag or tub of cut fruit separate from the per-kilo price of whole fruit. Bananas are priced per bunch in this survey.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare a per-kilo price with the price of a tub?
Look for damage to the shell and choose fruit to eat straight away. Because it is a thick-skinned whole fruit, the kilo price is not the weight of the flesh you eat.
Keep exploring
Official sources and references
If you would like to read more about the food and the regions behind it, these sources are worth a look. Ingredients and cooking methods can vary from one cook to the next.
Sharing image credit: Azreey · CC BY-SA 4.0