The outer shell of the fruit is rather hard, typically 4-6 cm in diameter, resembling a sphere purple shape fruit. Cutting through the shell, you will find white fleshy fruit 3-5 cm in diameter. Depending on the size and ripeness, there may or may not be pits in the segments of the fruit.
The taste may be compared to an underripe strawberry with hints of sweet orange. Care must be taken when opening the fruit as the red husk outside produces a purplish inky juice that stains fabric, which can be almost impossible to remove.So watch out while opening mangosteen.
To open a mangosteen, the shell is usually broken apart, not cut. Holding the fruit in both hands, press it gently (thumbs on one side, the other fingers on the other) till the shell cracks. It is then very easy to pull the halves apart along the crack, and remove the fruit without staining.
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