Can I only buy it in season?
It is listed as Main season April–August. The harvest period 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, where opening the purple skin reveals white flesh in segments. You taste sweetness and tartness together, and it is 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 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 season April–August
Harvest listed April–December
Khao Khiriwong mangosteen of the south: harvest listed July–December
Use the main season, or the harvest period of a regional fruit, as a guide. Actual harvests can vary with the growing area, the variety and the weather.
What does it taste like?
The white flesh is soft and sweet-tart. The larger segments may have a seed, so eat slowly.
Why this fruit is known in Thailand
Its appeal lies in the purple skin and white flesh and a taste that is sweet and fresh at the same time. In Thailand it is harvested in different areas and at different times, so it helps to look for it according to the season you travel.
Basics to know before you buy
- Thai name
- มังคุด
- Harvest period
- Main season April–August
- Regional fruit
- Khao Khiriwong mangosteen of the south: harvest listed July–December
- How to buy
- Check whether the skin is damaged and choose fruit to eat right away. The skin is thick, so the per-kg price is not the weight of the flesh you eat.
How to prepare and eat it
- Press the skin to open it, or cut shallowly around the skin only and open the fruit.
- Take out the white flesh and check the large segments for a seed.
- Be careful that the red juice from the skin 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. They do not apply at every street stall.
| Fruit and variety | Price | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Mangosteen · smooth-skin grade | 40–60 baht | 1 kg |
Look separately at the price of a bag or tray of cut fruit and the per-kg price of whole fruit. Bananas are priced per bunch in this survey.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare a per-kg price with a price per tray?
Check whether the skin is damaged and choose fruit to eat right away. The skin is thick, so the per-kg price is not the weight of the flesh you eat.
Keep exploring
Official sources
If you want to read more about the food and the regions behind it, these sources are a good next step. Ingredients and cooking methods can differ from one place to the next.
Sharing image credit: Azreey · CC BY-SA 4.0