I’d love to tell you about the nuances of a mangosteen’s [1] flavor, but I’ve yet to taste the fruit. A Los Angeles-based friend gave me a farewell bottle of juice upon my return to NYC over a year ago and it still sits dusty on a shelf.

I don’t know what I’m waiting for, mangosteen juice is supposed to be an incredibly healthy elixir. It may have something to do with the other plum-colored beverages I’m consuming these days — with all of the unsweetened cranberry juice [2] and acai smoothies [3] I haven’t had time for another.

The mangosteen’s (debatable [4]) claim to fame is the xanthone — a phytonutrient that has antioxidant properties that may help neutralize free radicals, improve intestinal function, and strengthen the immune system. It’s supposed to be tasty too, with a flavor similar to that of an unripe strawberry.

Mangosteen juice was once difficult to come by in the U.S., but enthusiastic Xango [5] has taken care of that. The company markets the juice as a “dietary supplement” and claims that just three ounces a day “unleashes a concentrated rush of xanthones.”

Unleashes a concentrated rush? Maybe that’s why I’ve been avoiding my first sip.

[via Mangosteen M.D. [6]]

Image: Mymangosteen.com