Cultivate
How To Eat Star Fruit
Published Aug 25, 2020. Read time: 4 mins
How To Eat Star Fruit
Wishing upon a star for fruit unlike anything you’ve ever tasted or seen? Well you’re in luck! Star fruit is a must-have for fruit fans of all ages.
Sweet, sour and tender fleshed, star fruits have a bright, citrusy flavor. Its texture is firm, juicy and satisfyingly crunchy! The skin is extremely thin, a little waxy and fully edible. Even though they don’t bring much to the party, star fruit seeds are edible too.
Star fruit gets its name because of its uniquely angular shape. They are oblong, yellow fruits that are three to five inches long with five pointed ridges that run the full length of the orb. When you slice ‘em up, you’ll be able to fully appreciate their heavenly star shape that provides this botanical berry’s namesake.
Before they’re fully ripe, star fruits are bright green. You’ll know your stars are ripe and ready to shine when their skin is bright yellow with just a hint of light green left behind. The tips of the ridges may even be slightly brown – this isn't bad, it just means it's time to eat. Leave star fruits on the counter at room temperature until the skin turns completely yellow.
Because star fruits are fully edible when raw, they’re easily added to all kinds of snacks, salads, suppers and smoothies. Here, your friends at Fruit Stand will tell you everything you need to know to add twinkle to your foods with star fruit.
Slicing A Star Fruit
Star fruits can be eaten whole, skin and seeds included; but most star fruit fans like to do a little preparation first. Wash and dry your star fruits first. Then, using a sharp paring knife, gently remove the thin edge of each star fruit ridge. Begin at the top of the fruit, and carefully move the paring knife down, cutting just those few millimeters away.
The next step is the fun part! Lay the fruit longways onto a cutting board, then slice the fruit ¼ inch at a time into beautiful fruit stars. Using the paring knife, gently poke away any seeds, or keep ‘em in if you like the crunch.
Add these star slices to yogurt, desserts, fruit and vegetable salads, cakes and desserts!
Cooking Star Fruit
The sweetness of star fruit truly dazzles when cooked. Here are just a few ways fire really brightens up these stars!
- Salads: Use the juice and flesh of star fruit to sweeten up boring salads, or add them to dressing and marinades for acidic tropical flavor.
- Confection: Star fruit is delicious in jams, jellies, chutneys and candy making.
Drinking Star Fruit
Star fruit juice is a meteor shower for your mouth! Whether fresh or frozen, star fruit adds twinkling tart and sweet flavor to just about any drink you can imagine.
Here are some easy ways use star fruit in your drinks:
- Juicing: Star fruit can be fed whole into your juicer for tropical sweetness and acidity dose of vitamins and minerals. Star fruit tends to play well with other produce like pear, pineapple, strawberry, watermelon and ginger.
- Smoothies: If you’re wondering what to do with ripe star fruit, smoothies are a fantastic option. To prepare your star fruit for smoothies, slice the fruit into one inch chunks. Freeze them on a cookie sheet with space in between each piece. Once frozen, store them in an airtight container in the freezer. You can easily pop frozen star fruit cubes into smoothies!
- Water: Add frozen star fruits to your water bottle along with fresh herbs like mint for an eye catching and delicious refresher.
Do you feel like a star fruit eating expert now? Show us your favorite ways to prepare and eat star fruit by tagging us in your culinary masterpieces on Instagram @Fruitstandcom!