I’d love to tell you about the nuances of a mangosteen’s 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 and acai smoothies I haven’t had time for another.