Thursday, July 29, 2010

Fresh Mangosteen and Gratuitous Cat Pic




I cracked into the fresh mangosteen a few days ago. I am sorry to report that they are just not worth the price. The skin is very thick and the fruit is small to begin with so you don’t get much from each piece. The taste is good, very reminiscent of a combination of peach, orange and cream.  The only problem is that there is very little fruit to eat.   Each mangsteen is two bites max.

Overall I would say they aren’t worth the price. Very depressing as I was looking forward to these. =(

If you decide to buy them you need a very sharp chef knife to get through the outer shell of the fruit.  It is much touger than anything else I have tried to "open".  I cut mine at the equator and tried going around the ouside so I could pop the shell off. That didn't work well since I didn't know how thick the shell was.

Unrelated note:

A fierce little summer thunderstorm rolled through about 30 minutes ago. The rain was so heavy the forecasters posted flash flood warnings. Only a few hours earlier today they were predicting a 40% chance of precipitation. Why is that whenever I listen to the forecast (and water the garden) it is always wrong? *rolls eyes*


Here is a rare picture of Massimo (aka Masi) with eyes open, in the window watching the storm (until I disturbed him that is). ;-)  My cats are saints for putting up with me, LOL.

Talk to you later.

36 comments:

  1. I've never had mangosteen. I hear you on the forecast. Glad to know that it's not just our weather folks that get it wrong....often.

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  2. Heather,

    This was my first fresh mangosteen. The flavor is good but there is just so little of it for the money I seems like a waste. Though what little there is does taste good. ;-)

    Our weather people are wrong more than they are right. I swear I am going to start doing the opposite of what they say. ;-) No, it isn't just your forecasters. LOL

    Ali

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  3. I've never had mangosteen; they may not be worth the price, but they are really pretty and cute. I imagine it tasting like cherimoya (?).

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  4. Rose,

    The taste is similar to cherimoya but less complex. The flesh only has one large seed. I was happy to have had mangosteen once but I can't see myself buying it very often it is just too pricey for what you get.

    Fresh durian is next on my list to try. Dan wants no part of that experience. I made the mistake of telling him about the smell. ;-)

    hope you are having a good Thursday,
    Ali

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  5. Oh wow...durian is another new one for me. I did quick search and here's a snippet of what wikipedia has to say about it:

    "The smell evokes reactions from deep appreciation to intense disgust. The odour has led to the fruit's banishment from certain hotels and public transportation in southeast Asia."

    I wonder what on earth it smells like? Have you smelled it? Does evoke appreciation or disgust?

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  6. Rose,

    LOL, I have not smelled it yet so I don't know. A friend of mine described it as smelling like dirty gym socks. That was all Dan needed to hear to say he would pass. No spirit of adventure, LOL. As soon as I find some I will let you know. I love to try new things, hopefully I don't regret it. ;-)

    Ali

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  7. Oh yes...you'll have to report back on it...I wonder if you'll find it pleasant or disgusting. I'll be so interested to hear the details.

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  8. Rose,

    LOL, you sound just like Dan. He suggested I open it outside when I find it and let him know what I think. I think he is being too overly cautious. As you can tell I don't have any food phobias. I am game for just about anything. What is the worst thing that can happen? If don't like it, no big deal. ;-) At least I will have tried it.

    Ali

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  9. Ha, that's too funny. I can just see you out in the back garden...a safe distance from the house, opening the fruit and Dan peering out the window waiting for the verdict and whether or not he'll let you back in the house. LOL. :)

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  10. Rose,

    ROFLOL, that was hysterical! Good one. Sadly it may be an accurate picture. ;-)

    Ali

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  11. Ok, I promise I'll stop after this...but I'm having so much fun at the expense of durians...make sure Dan doesn't see this picturefirst.

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  12. Rose,

    LOL, OMG that is too funny! You are right, we can't let Dan see that sign. What a hoot. Makes you wonder just how bad it does smell doesn't it?

    Ali

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  13. It's definitely got me wondering...can't wait to hear about it.

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  14. Mangosteen is my favorite fruit! I buy it in the can at the Asian food market. I do prefer it fresh, but it is quite expensive. The fresh version is a touch more tart and of course fresher tasting. As for Durian, I have to tell you that as an Asian, I've never had the guts to try it! Just a warning, my parents used to eat it in the garage because even they did not want it to permeate the house!

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  15. Jenn,

    Canned mangosteen? I had no idea that existed. That sounds like a great compromise.

    You are Asian and won't try durian. I must be nuts then. But I really want to try it. Thanks for the advice, I will open and eat it outside. ;-) The more I hear the more intrigued I am.

    Ali

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  16. Rose,

    Apparently I am alone in wanting to try durian. Odd, that makes me want to find it even more now. ;-)

    Ali

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  17. Beautiful kitty pic! And where do you get fresh mangosteen!?

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  18. Yes...you've got me thinking about trying it now too...sounds like we will be relegated to the garage afterall...

    On the other hand, the article says some people deeply appreciate the smell...maybe we're some of those "pro-durian" people and we'll like the smell...then we'll want to have durian around all over the place! We'll have to put signs up over our front doors:

    "Durian-friendly household: anti-durians enter at your own risk."

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  19. Ooh, you got him!! I knew you would get a perfect shot of him one of these days. Stay dry over there ;)

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  20. Carissa,

    I found the fresh mangosteen at a local produce market owned by Asians. I have heard you can find it at some Asian markets as well.

    Ali

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  21. Sarah,

    I put cat in the title just for you. ;-)

    He was a little disheveled but at least his eyes were open and he was facing the camera.

    Thanks the thunderstorms have been very sporadic today. Two have rolled through so far.

    have a great evening,
    Ali

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  22. I am sorry you were not thrilled with the mangosteen--that is always disappointing. I feel bad now for saying it was good! I mangosteen, I guess...sorry! Were the ones you got particularly expensive?

    I am sorry!
    Courtney

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  23. I've yet to try mangosteen even living here in Hawaii! Also, I'm starting a new blog...would you ad it to your blogroll, please?
    Thanks Ali
    (Aimee)

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  24. oops...the new blog is http://theglobalvegan.blogspot.com

    -Aim
    (aimeeshealthyliving)

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  25. I am with Rose on the durian. :)

    I hope you enjoy the experience, even if the fruit isn't to your liking. :)
    I wonder if it's aroma will fill the car on the way home from shopping?
    After reading the sign Rose forwarded, it makes me think it could be a problem. He..he ;)

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  26. Courtney,

    The flavor of the mangosteen was very nice and I enjoyed it. But at about $1 a bite I thought it was overpriced. ;-) However, if I could find them cheaper I would buy them again, or maybe just save fresh mangosteen for special occassions.

    Ali

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  27. Naina,

    I think the durian when whole isn't too much of an issue in terms of smell. But we will find out. As soon as I see one, and this is the season, I am buying it. I must be a glutton for punishment. LOL

    Ali

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  28. When I get them, they are really cheap at the Asian markets...maybe keep your eyes peeled for them there?

    Courtney

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  29. Courtney,

    I am planning to stop at the Asian market this weekend. I will see if the have them. Thanks for the tip.

    Ali

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  30. Hi, Alicia. Lovely kitty picture. I have a few kitties that see me whip out the camera and will face the wall! LOL.

    Quick question not related to your post....I am currently using canned beans (rinsed thoroughly) and really want to cook natural beans myself.....I am assuming they are healthier, etc. How do you prepare your beans? over the stove, crockpot? and how long do they last in the fridge once you have prepared them? sorry for all the questions but you are so knowledgable about so much!!

    Lolly

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  31. Lolly,

    Thanks for letting me know I am not the only one with cats that don't like their picture taken. Masi is a little angel but he doesn't like posing for the camera.

    I tend to cook our beans on the stove, but the crockpot also works really well if you want to cook them while you sleep or are at work. I typically cook one or two pounds when I make beans so I can do it less often. They freeze really well. They will keep in the refrigerator for 4 or 5 days.

    I freeze them, in their liquid in small canning jars with about an inch of air space. Then move the jar the night before I need them to the refrigerator. By the following evening they are defrosted and ready to use. Does that help?

    hope you have great weekend,
    Ali

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  32. Awesome...thanks! I'm going to try this weekend!!

    ~Lolly

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  33. Lolly,

    Good luck. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

    Ali

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  34. Chandra,

    Thanks! Masi is my little angel. He is the sweetest cat but doesn't like his picture taken. He is a bi-colored Turkish Angora.

    Ali

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