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Star Fruit FAQs
Star fruit, also known as Carambola or Birambi, comes from the averrhoa carambola tree and is native to tropical Southeast Asia. It produces an oblong fruit 2-6 inches in length which has 5-7 ridges running down its sides and resembles a star, hence the name, when you view it from the top or bottom or when sliced into cross-sections.
The entire fruit is edible and often eaten raw, including its slightly waxy skin. The flesh is firm and juicy and provides a very satisfying crunch when you bite into it. While the seeds are edible, it is a more enjoyable experience to remove the seeds.
What Color Is Star Fruit
A ripe star fruit is a muted bright yellow with a slight hint of green. The less green, the sweeter and juicier, the more green the more astringent.
How to Tell if Star Fruit Is Ripe
You will know your star fruit is ripe when the skin is bright yellow with a hint of light green. The tips of the ridges may even be slightly brown – this isn't bad, it just means it's time to eat.
If your star fruit is mostly green, it's just not quite ripe yet. Leave it on the counter at room temperature until the skin turns completely yellow.
How to Prepare Star Fruit
Part of the fun of getting a star fruit is the star shape of the fruit when sliced into thin cross-sections. Simply lay the fruit on its side and slice!
While the seeds aren't bad for you, it's a more enjoyable eating experience to remove them. Simply use the tip of the knife and pry them out and throw them away.
Because if it's super-unique shape, we love to serve the star fruit cut into cross-sections on its own, or in a delicious tropical fruit salad.
Where Does Star Fruit Grow
Star fruit is produced by the Averrhoa carambola tree which thrives in a warm tropical climate. You can find star fruit growing in Southeast Asia, the South Pacific, Micronesia, Central and South America, Mexico, Hawaii, and Florida.
Nutrition of Star Fruit
Star fruit is a low sugar, nearly fat-free fruit that offers a significant amount of Vitamin C and its dietary fiber content helps in keeping your digestive system healthy.
100g of raw star fruit contains:
- Carbohydrate: 6.8 g
- Total Fat: 0.3 g
- Vitamin C: 34.4 mg / 57% RDI
- Fiber: 2.8 g / 11% RDI
- Potassium: 133 mg / 4 % RDI
- Copper: 0.1 mg / 7% RDI
Can I Eat Star Fruit With Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?
We highly recommend you speak to a healthcare professional prior to consuming star fruit if you have CKD or other kidney-related health issues. Several reputable studies show that star fruit has a negative effect on people that suffer from CKD.
When Is Star Fruit in Season
You can expect to see star fruit available from October to December.
What Does Star Fruit Go in
Because if it's super-unique shape, we love to serve the star fruit cut into cross-sections on its own, or in a delicious tropical fruit salad.
For something fun, you can also freeze the star-shaped slices and put them in sparkling water or other adult beverages to give them a fun tropical flavor.
Another fun idea is to dehydrate the slices and eat as chips –especially tasty on a cheese board– or use for holiday decorations
It also goes very nicely in smoothies, chutney, fruit juice, relishes, or preserves.
What Does Star Fruit Taste Like
Star fruit is not overly sweet, the flavor rather resembles a mild apple, pear, or grape with tropical notes. A star fruit with a little bit of green on the skin will have a similar quality to a green apple. Its texture is firm and juicy and, when bitten into, gives a wonderful satisfying crunch.
How to Store Star Fruit
If your star fruit is mostly green, it's just not quite ripe yet. Leave it on the counter, turning occasionally, at room temperature until the skin turns to that bright yellow color. Ripe star fruit will last about 3 days on the counter.
You can place a ripe star fruit in a paper or plastic bag for up to a week. If you do this, make sure to bring the fruit back to room temperature before serving as cold tropical fruit often loses a bit of its flavor profile.
Cut star fruit should be used immediately whether eaten, frozen, or dehydrated. The slices will dry out very quickly otherwise.
How to Freeze Star Fruit
A fun way to spruce up a beverage is to add a frozen slice of star fruit, both for the flavor and aesthetic. Or you can add them to a smoothie. Follow these simple steps to freeze your star fruit slices:
- Wash the star fruit
- Cut into vertical slices
- Place the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet, or other flat surface, and place in the freezer.
- Once frozen, transfer the frozen slices to a freezer container and store until you're ready to use them.
How to Dehydrate Your Star Fruit Slices
Another great way to preserve star fruit if you don't plan to eat it immediately is to dehydrate it to be used immediately or saved until you're ready to eat it or use it as a decoration. Here are some simple steps:
- Slice into 1/4" or 1/8" slices.
- Spread evenly on a cookie sheet or other tray.
- Apply a thin coat of lemon juice evenly.
- Place in the oven at 125° F for 10 hours.
- Remove from the oven, cool, and place into an airtight storage container, or eat immediately!
Can Dogs and Cats Eat Star Fruit
Unfortunately our furry friends should not be eating star fruit, even in small quantities. The oxalate salts in star fruit cause a decrease in calcium in a dog's system which can cause kidney failure. Your dog may start showing signs of star fruit poisoning within 1 to 6 hours. Common signs to watch for are:
- Drooling
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Changes in thirst and urination
- Bloody Urine
- Diarrhea
If you suspect your animal has eaten some of your star fruit, please call your veterinarian immediately.
Does Star Fruit Stain
Star fruit juice is actually known to do quite the opposite. It is a powerful stain remover and has also been shown effective in removing tarnish from metals.
