It might be late in the season, but if anyone has a few of these I have the following to trade: - Curuba (Colombian variey) - Badea (Colombian variety) - Uchuva (Colombian variety) - Star fruit/Carambola (Florida variety) - Guava (small-white Mexican variety) - Cactus Pear (white) - Dragon fruit/pitaya (white) - I also have sprouts of red dragon fruit that I could try sending.

Lycheeluva, they were very good almost on par with the fresh stuff I ate in Asia. People have different preferences and its completely understandable that you would prefer lychees. Lychees are much sweeter fruits and you probably got a sweet tooth. Mangosteen aren't as sweet and has more acidity to it. I love lychees but I tend to lean towards a little bit more acidity in my fruits. Its like apples and oranges. Some prefer one over the other. Interestingly, I might add that strangely though I noticed that chilled mangosteen seems to for some odd reason taste much more acidic than eating it at room temperature. I think eating it at room temp is probably better. This is the first time I noticed it, also the first time I had chilled (refrigerated) mangosteens. By the way, it seems like not all the seeds is bad. I been germinating some for over 2 weeks now. I noticed about 60-70% of seeds rotted. 30% hasnt done anything yet. So there's hope. Also seems to verify that its the refrigeration process that's destroying the seeds. With these irradiated stuff, maybe I'll get some kind of super mutated mangosteen seedling. hahah.

You've got to really take in the comments concerning the smell. It really is not an issue when dealing with good, ripe fruit. Otherwise, there is no way in hell that huge shopping mall would allow a durian festival to take place inside. The smell only comes into play with seriously over ripe fruit, cut up fruit pieces discarded to bake in the sun, or fruit in a baggie kicked beneath an SUV seat. While attending all the festivals, dropping by durian stalls, or cutting up a fruit at the house, I don't recall any strong smell at all. The few times where the odor was noticeable, taste and smell are worlds apart. This fruit is not like picking up a mangosteen or lychee. As Warren mentioned, I don't believe this is a fruit most people taste for the first time and the "wow" meter jumps off the gauge. It is more of an acquired taste...one that you have to ease into gently. It does grow on you and you soon find that you must try one everywhere you go. I'm not near Warren's level yet, but it is lots of fun to have everyone stare at you when you take a bite.

There has been no actual scientific studies done confirming these statements. Are the fruit good for you? Of course. Are all of these drinks good for you? They can't hurt... except for your wallet. A lot of people are making a lot of money from hype.