Can I not buy it out of season?
It is listed as Main season Apr–Aug. The season can differ by growing area and variety. The calendar does not guarantee that the fruit is on sale on any given day.
Mangosteen
Mangosteen · มังคุด
Try mangosteen, whose purple rind opens to white flesh in segments. It tastes sweet and tangy together and is very juicy. Although mango is in its name, it is a different fruit from mango. It is also good to share a few with your companion after a meal.
Peeled Mangosteen · Azreey · CC BY-SA 4.0
Resized for display · Photo provided under CC BY-SA 4.0
When is the best time to eat it?
Main season Apr–Aug
Listed season Apr–Dec
Khao Khiriwong mangosteen of the south: season listed as Jul–Dec
Use the main season, or the season of a regional fruit, as a guide. Actual availability can vary with growing area, variety and weather.
What does it taste like?
The white flesh is soft and sweet-sour. The larger segments can have a seed, so eat slowly.
Why this fruit is known in Thailand
Its appeal lies in the purple rind and white flesh and in a taste that is sweet yet fresh. In Thailand it comes into season at different times in different areas, so it is good to look for it to match the season you travel.
Basics to know before you buy
- Thai name
- มังคุด
- Season
- Main season Apr–Aug
- Regional fruit
- Khao Khiriwong mangosteen of the south: season listed as Jul–Dec
- How it is sold
- Check whether the rind is damaged and choose fruit to eat right away. Because it is a whole fruit with a thick rind, the kg price is not the weight of the flesh you eat.
How to peel and eat it
- Press the rind to open it, or cut the rind shallowly and open the inside.
- Take out the white flesh and check for a seed inside the larger segments.
- Be careful that the red juice from the rind does not stain your clothes as you eat.
Price reference
Bangkok retail prices · 14 October 2026
These are prices by variety and grade surveyed by Thailand's Department of Internal Trade. Not every street seller charges the same price.
| Fruit and variety | Price | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Mangosteen · smooth-skin grade | 40–60 baht | 1 kg |
Keep the price of a cut-fruit bag or tub separate from the per-kg price of whole fruit. In this survey, bananas are priced per bunch.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare a per-kg price with a per-pack price?
Check whether the rind is damaged and choose fruit to eat right away. Because it is a whole fruit with a thick rind, the kg price is not the weight of the flesh you eat.
Keep exploring
Official sources and references
If you want to read more about these dishes and regions, these sources are a good place to start. Ingredients and cooking methods can differ from one eatery to another.
Sharing image credit: Azreey · CC BY-SA 4.0