When Queen Victoria heard of the delicate scent-tasting splendor of the mangosteen of South East Asia, she promised to shower anyone who could bring a perfect example back to her plate with riches and titles. Arise, Sir, the owner of Don Nam #1 Supermarket!

Mangosteen are not unlike a lychee, a juicy translucent fruit trapped in separate segments inside a small globe of thick purple skin. Golf-to-tennis ball in size, it's surrounded at its stem with a collar of thick petal-shaped leaves. Each segment covers a seed which is better not crunched for aesthetic reasons. It causes no harm, but it interferes with the experience.

Unfortunately, mangosteens do not survive long journeys. With air travel, however, they can be found in season in Oriental supermarkets. Until now they have been frozen. But if Queen Victoria were alive today and living in Springfield, she might Knight the owner of Don Nam Number 1 Supermarket. This is the very first year, he says, that he's been able to order them fresh not frozen.

To open, hold the mangosteen between both thumbs and forefingers around its waist and squeeze till the purple husk gives way and cracks apart to expose the pale white flesh inside. But take care - its juices stain clothes permanently.

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