Fresh Star Fruit Juice will be the next beverage hit this summer.
Star Fruit is also known as Carambola and I'm explaining below the variations and ways that you can use this beautiful fruit.
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Most probably, you know the star fruit as a cocktail decorator.
It's a beautiful fruit but the tropical exotic fruit can do more than just food deco.
I have a thing for tropical fruits.
If you feel the same way or you are curious, then check out my list of tropical fruits.
The list has been compiled with my traveling blogger friends and new discoveries are always added.
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📕 What is Star Fruit?
The Star Fruit is a yellowish-green juicy, high water content, fruit with ridges.
When cut into slices, it resembles a star shape, hence the name.
There are mainly 2 major types of star fruit; the sweet and the sour/tart star fruit varieties.
The exotic star shaped fruit is super common in South East Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Africa, South America, Florida, Hawaii, Pacific Island Nations and of course in Australia
The star fruit is also known as Carambola.
Star Fruit and Carambola Name
I always thought Carambola was a Spanish name but turns out the Portuguese borrowed it from Marathi/Konkani, which in turn must have come from the Sanskrit.
These are languages in the Indian Western Ghats (around Goa).
Karmaphala (Karma fruit) turned into Carambola and Carambola is the name that stuck with South America mainly.
Most people call it star fruit in their native language but Carambola is common all over the rest of the world as well.
💭 FAQs
Where to buy star fruits?
Star fruits can be commonly bought in open markets in tropical and subtropical regions around the world
For North America and Europe
Supermarkets and specialized Asian/African/South American/Caribbean ethnic stores in the cities might sell the fruit as well.
You can ask smaller store owners about carambolas and perhaps they only sell them during peak season.
Larger Wholesale grocery stores tend to sell Carambolas as well because the fruit is used as a cocktail decoration in Hotels and Restaurants.
When are Carambola fruits in Season?
Star Fruits are usualy harvested about the same time all over the world.
The peak season for the pretty fruit is from March to June.
How to pick the right Star Fruits?
First f all find out if you need a sour or sweet Carambola.
As described on top, sour star fruits are used in preserves.
The sweet variations are great eaten raw or as a juice.
The sour ones are smaller in size, the sweeter ones tend to be larger fruits.
Pick a fruit that is hard to the touch and yellow/green.
The riper it gets the darker yellow the star fruit turns and the mushier it becomes.
You want a firm and juicy fruit.
I don't think it matters if your fruit is green or yellow, because the fruit doesn't really sweeten the more it ripens.
How to eat a Star Fruit?
The Carambola fruit is eaten entirely, nothing is wasted.
The fruit can be enjoyed raw or even cooked.
The ridges turn darker the older the fruit gets, these can be cut off if they bother you.
The seeds are barely noticeable and can be ingested without any issues.
What does star fruit taste like?
There are 2 types of star fruits, the smaller super sour type and the larger sweet ones.
The sour ones are not that great eaten raw.
Those are great to turn into preserves.
The sweet ones are not crazy sweet either.
They are juicy, cucumber-like crunchy and kind of taste like a plain neutral grape
The taste of a carambola fruit is very minimal and not that pronounced.
Star Fruit Skin
Star Fruits have a natural wax layer on the skin.
In that way they resemble the sour Bilimbi (cucumber tree) fruits.
The skin of a carmabola can be eaten and doesn't need to be peeled.
Peeling doesn't really make sense too because the skin is kind of like the flesh inside and I think it's a waste of time and effort.
🔪 How to prepare the juice?
You can prepare a juice of a raw star fruit by using either a blender or a juicer.
Blender - You ill need to strain the juice before serving.
Juicer - The pure juice coming out of the juicer can be enjoyed directly.
See in the recipe card below for detailed instructions.
💡 More fruit juice ideas
👁️ More Star Fruit Recipes
- Star Fruit Jam by healingtomato.com
- Mango Star Fruit Salsa by feastinthyme.com
- Green Tomato, Star Fruit, Avocado Salad by lovefoodeat.com
Dear Reader, can you buy Star Fruits in your supermarket?
Global Food Recipes
with Spices and Herbs
Free E-Book available for a limited time. Grab yours now and get instantly inspired!
You missed out!
📖 Recipe
Star Fruit Juice Recipe
Instructions
- Wash your star fruits to get rid of impurities on the skin and cut the fruit into chunks.
- If you use a blender, place the fruit chunks with the water and sugar into the blender jar and blend smooth.
- Strain through a fine sieve before pouring into glasses with ice cubes.
- If you use a juicer, simply press the fruit chunks through the juicer and collect the juice on the other side. Mix with sugar (powdered sugar will work better), water and ice cubes in a glass.
- Serve cold
Notes
- The number of fruits used in the recipe may vary depending on the size of the fruit.
