There is nothing better than biting into a juicy tropical fruit with the hint of fruity and berry flavors. For this purpose, there are multiple exotic fruits out there, but mangosteen vs. lychee is one of the common comparisons because both of them are delicious. So, are you ready to check out more about these tropical fruits?
Mangosteen vs Lychee
Mangosteen
For the most part, mangosteen is known as a small fruit with purple color and has gained popularity for its tropical flavor. In the majority of cases, it has the size of a regular orange. When it comes down to the fruits, everyone is concerned about the flavor, and mangosteen is known for its juicy and sweet flavor. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that it has a tropical flavor that strikes a combination of acacia, strawberry, peach, and pineapple. In fact, it has a very fruity aroma.
When compared to lychee, it has a bigger size with multiple seeds in the center (the edibility of the seeds isn’t certain because everyone has a different opinion on that). These purple fruits have internal white flesh sections that you can pull apart like oranges. The best thing about mangosteen is that it has a soft texture that literally slides down your throat. When it comes down to the applications, you can experiment with this fruit a lot.
For instance, it can be added to smoothies, ice cream, puddings, muffins, sorbets, and more. In fact, these fruits can be used as a garnish for desserts. They can be added to savory dishes as well, especially in black bean sauce to tone down the flavor and a balancing flavor tone. At room temperature, mangosteen will be fine for two to three days, but you’ve to store them at a cool location to ensure it stays edible for a long time.
However, you cannot store mangosteen in the refrigerator or freezer because it adversely impacts the texture and overall quality of the flavor. Mangosteen is likely to be originated from Southeast Asia, but they are now grown in Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia.
Lychee
Lychee is a juicy fruit with a small size, and on the outside, it looks like strawberries. The exterior skin has a bumpy and red appearance, and it’s actually easy to peel and pop in your mouth. In case you want to know about the flavor, lychee is one of the sweetest fruits out there, and many people think that it’s similar to grapes and pears. Not to forget, it has a grape-like taste, and the juicy texture is the same as grapes as well, making it a delicious fruit.
Lychee is known to be small and has only one large seed in the central part, but it’s not edible. In addition, it has a thin peel, but it’s not edible either. It has cream-colored and white flesh that’s incredibly fresh. Lychee has a pleasantly firm texture, and it has floral and fruity aromas, which make them one of the most refreshing fruits out there. All in all, it’s a great addition to the desserts, and it’s actually considered a dessert fruit.
For this reason, it’s a common addition to smoothies, but you’ve to take the seed out. Also, it can be added to sorbets and ice creams. In addition to this, lychees can be added to salads with some nuts and mayonnaise to enhance the overall flavor. The lychees can be easily stored in the refrigerator for over seven days, but you’ve to use the zipper plastic bags. At room temperature, lychees will be fine for two to three days, particularly when you are living in warm climates.
Also, you can freeze the peel-on lychees for over six months and defrost them for later use. Lychees are native to China as they were first grown there. However, they are now planted and harvested in Southeast Asia and India as well.
The Bottom Line
To summarize, both mangosteen and lychees are delicious tropical fruits, but many people are concerned if they can use them interchangeably. In case you have the same question, it’s a yes because both these fruits can be used as a substitute for each other. Not to forget, they can hold their flavor and texture well in different recipes.