Due to its lack of cultivation and popularity in the U.S., star fruit is more expensive than more common fruits like apples. If your local market doesn't carry star fruit, visit an Asian market. Unripe fruits are firmer and tarter, more like a green apple in flavor. The skin is edible and the flesh has a mild, sour flavor that makes it popular in a number of dishes. 2016;12(12):420-424.  doi:10.6026/97320630012420. After removing the seeds, the fruit can also be pureed or juiced and added to smoothies and drinks. Store star fruit on the counter at room temperature away from sunlight. Depending on the ripeness, star fruit will keep for a few days. The fruit is popular in Southeast Asia and can frequently be found in specialty markets. Green fruit tastes slightly more acidic, and what ripeness you choose will depend on your personal preference. Updated May 5, 2020. Once the fruit's ridges have turned from green to light brown, store it in the fridge for up to four days to keep it from getting too ripe. It is harvested twice a year, typically in late fall and late spring, but can be found year-round. Star fruit — or carambola — is a sweet and sour fruit that has the shape of a five-point star. Unripe fruit will continue to ripen after it's picked. Star fruit is also grown commercially in the southern United States and may appear at farmers' markets in places like Florida, Texas, and California. Peggy Trowbridge Filippone is a writer who develops approachable recipes for home cooks. Use the star shapes to add fruitiness to a green salad or to decorate a cheese or snack platter. Daily value on the new nutrition and supplement facts labels, Nutritional, Medicinal and Toxicological Attributes of Star-Fruits (Averrhoa carambola L.): A Review. Washed fruit can be sliced to reveal the star shape by placing the fruit flat on a cutting board. The yellow, oval-shaped fruit has ridges and looks like a star when sliced. In Australia, the unripe or ripe fruit is cooked as a side dish, pickled, or turned into a chutney or relish. In general, fruits justshort of ripening stage are picked up for shipment and storage; since the ripe fruits tend to bruise easily, especially their thin ribbed edges.While buying, choose uniform, large, attractive looking, yellow-orange fruits. Star fruit has a sweet flavor with a slightly sour undertone and a juicy, firm flesh like a grape. Star fruit contains oxalic acid and caramboxin. Both substances are potentially harmful to those with kidney problems and should be avoided. Daily value on the new nutrition and supplement facts labels. In Southeast Asia, it's often stewed with sugar and spices like cloves or used in savory dishes like fish and shrimp. Star fruit makes a lovely addition to a fruit salad, tart, cake, pavlova, or sangria. Nutritional, Medicinal and Toxicological Attributes of Star-Fruits (Averrhoa carambola L.): A Review. Bioinformation. Star fruit can be grown at home in warm climates. Overripe fruit will have brown spots all over and can have a fermented flavor. Remove both ends with a knife and cut across the ridges into slices. When the fruit is ripe, the ridges turn light brown. In Florida, for example, Arkin cultivars are available from December to March. Get daily tips and expert advice to help you take your cooking skills to the next level. Read our, Top 10 Tropical Fruits and How to Prepare Them. The yellow fruit grows on trees in India, Asia, South America, Australia, and the southern United States, but it's enjoyed raw and cooked all over the world. Regardless of ripeness, choose star fruit that is free of blemishes and brown spots. For the sweetest fruit, look for star fruit that is bright yellow in color and lightly browned on the edge of the ridges. The yellow, oval-shaped fruit has ridges and looks like a star when sliced. The fruity taste is difficult to describe, landing somewhere between ripe pear, green grape, and orange. Depending on the variety, it can vary slightly in size and color, from light yellow-green to bright yellow. Star fruit can often be found year-round in the supermarket produce section. While it's frequently used as a garnish due to its fun shape, it also adds a sweet flavor to a number of dishes like salads and cocktails. Muthu N, Lee SY, Phua KK, Bhore SJ. Depending on the variety, it can vary slightly in size and color, from light yellow-green to bright yellow. Star fruit can also be dried. The entire star fruit can be eaten, including the waxy skin, making it easy to prepare … Star fruit, also known as carambola, can be found in abundance in Southeast Asia where it is heavily cultivated. Star fruit is low in calories and fat and very high in vitamin A, providing 83.4% of the daily recommended value in a 100-gram serving. The juicy fruit is mostly water, making it a light and healthy snack. Star fruit does not require peeling, making it a quick and easy snack. The carambola plant is believed to be native to Indonesia and flourishes in sunny, humid climates. Fresh star fruits can be available twice in a season. Her recipes range from Grandma’s favorites to the latest food trends. Look for star fruit that is bright yellow or yellow-green in color, heavy for its size, and firm but not hard. Star fruit should also be avoided by those taking certain prescriptions like blood pressure medication because it acts as an inhibitor like grapefruit. The seeds are technically edible but not tasty, so remove them with your fingers or a small knife. Star fruit can be eaten as is, added to fruit or vegetable salads, used as a garnish for dishes or cocktails, and more. 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