Monday, April 27, 2009

Santol - wild mangosteen

The santol fruits are shape globose to oblate, with size about 1 1/2 to 3 inch (4 to 7.5 cm) wide. There are two different varieties within this fruits; and they are, the 'pink to red' variety and the 'yellow to golden'. The tree can be grows upto 150 feet in height.

The inner part of the fruits are the edible white, translucent, milky, juicy pulp; which is sorrounded by a thin and thick downy rind. The taste of the pulp is sweet, subacid or sour. The pulp also contains 3 to 5 small brown seeds, which are inedible.

The fresh fruit can be eaten raw and plain or salted or with other spices added. These fruits can be eaten without peeling, as the rind is also edible; only the seeds are inedible. These fruits are sometimes candied and also prepared into some alcoholic beverages.

Santol is native to Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia; and are now being cultivated throughout India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and many Pacific Islands.
[image: the Santol fruit after cut open]