Which Thai fruit is often called the 'queen of fruits'?

The Thai fruit often called the “queen of fruits” is mangosteen.

Mangosteen, Garcinia mangostana, is a tropical fruit with a thick purple rind and soft white segments inside. Its flesh is prized for a delicate sweet-and-sour flavor and juicy texture. In Southeast Asia, it is commonly paired symbolically with durian, which is known as the “king of fruits.”

The mangosteen tree is native to the Malay Peninsula and Borneo and has been cultivated across tropical Asia for centuries. Thailand is a major producer, and the fruit is especially associated with the country’s seasonal markets. Fresh mangosteens are usually available in Thailand from roughly May through September, depending on local conditions.

The rind is not eaten as a fresh fruit, but it becomes softer as the fruit ripens and can be opened by scoring or gently squeezing it. The white segments may contain seeds, and the dark purple rind can stain skin or fabric. Mangosteen is sometimes confused with lychee, longan, or rambutan, but those fruits have different skins, shapes, and flavor profiles.