Can I only buy it in season?
It is listed as Main harvest Apr–Aug. The harvest period can vary by growing region and variety. The calendar does not guarantee that it is on sale on any given day.
Mangosteen
Mangosteen · มังคุด
Try a mangosteen, where a purple rind opens to segments of white flesh. You get sweetness and tartness together, and it is juicy. The name has mango in it, but it is a different fruit from mango. It is also good to share a few after a meal with your companions.
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 harvest Apr–Aug
Harvest listed Apr–Dec
Southern Khao Khiriwong mangosteen: harvest listed for Jul–Dec
Use the main harvest period, or the harvest window for a regional fruit, as a guide. Actual availability can change with growing region, variety and weather.
What does it taste like?
The white flesh is soft and sweet-tart. A large segment may contain a seed, so eat slowly.
Why this fruit is known in Thailand
The appeal lies in the purple rind, the white flesh and a sweet but fresh taste. In Thailand it is harvested in different regions at different times, so look for it according to the season you travel.
Buying basics
- Thai name
- มังคุด
- Harvest period
- Main harvest Apr–Aug
- Regional fruit
- Southern Khao Khiriwong mangosteen: harvest listed for Jul–Dec
- How to buy
- Check the rind for damage and pick fruit to eat right away. Because the rind is thick on whole fruit, the per-kilogram price is not the weight of the flesh you eat alone.
How to prepare and eat it
- Press the rind open, or cut only shallowly around it and open it up.
- 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 get on your clothes.
Price reference
Bangkok retail prices · October 14, 2026
These are prices by variety and grade surveyed by Thailand's Department of Internal Trade. They do not apply to every street vendor.
| Fruit and variety | Price | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Mangosteen · smooth-skin grade | 40–60 baht | 1 kg |
Keep the price of a bag or tray of cut fruit separate from the per-kilogram price of whole fruit. In this survey, bananas are priced per bunch.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare a per-kilogram price with a price per pack?
Check the rind for damage and pick fruit to eat right away. Because the rind is thick on whole fruit, the per-kilogram price is not the weight of the flesh you eat alone.
Keep exploring
Official sources and references
If you want to read more about the food and the regions behind it, these sources are a good place to start. Ingredients and recipes can vary from one restaurant to the next.
Sharing image credit: Azreey · CC BY-SA 4.0