CHAPTER XX;iX 



THE MANGOSTEEN— THE MAMMEE APPLE 



Garcinia Mangostana — Mammea Americana 



THESE two tropical fruits are related and both of 

 them are extremely delicious, the Mangosteen often 

 being declared to be "finest fruit in the world." In flavour 

 it combines the delicate yet rich qualities of the pineapple, 

 grape, peach, and strawberry, in form resembling somewhat 

 the pomegranate, though the rind is more pulpy and the 

 pulp itself more juicy and firm. It is at its best uncooked 

 and being slightly laxative may be eaten freely. It may 

 of course be frozen in various simple forms or used with 

 gelatine. 



There is an African variety quite similar {Mammea 

 Africaita). 



The Mammee Apple (Mammea Aniericana) , sometimes ■ 

 called the South American or St. Domingo or wild apricot, 

 is one of the standbys of tropical countries, being delicious 

 in flavour and very useful in its adaptability as a food. 

 Yellow in colour, it sometimes grows to the size of a 

 grape-fruit, its double rind covering a dainty interior, 

 although its outer covering and the seeds with their 

 immediately surrounding pulp are bitter. The firm, 

 aromatic, intermediate pulp, removed from rind and 

 seeds, may be eaten with no special preparation or, un- 

 cooked, with wine or cream and sugar. Dropped into 

 boiling syrup, simmered, and served cold, it is delicious, 

 or, pulp cooked down, sugar added in usual proportion, 

 and simmered till thick, made into marmalade or jam. 



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