Tired of standard old oranges? Why not switch to star fruit and add a splash of colour your winter fruit bowl instead! Aside from their unique shape and vibrant colour, these tropical fruits are sweet and tart as well as a great source of that all important Vitamin C.
Discover more about this tropical fruit and prepare to be star struck!
What is Star Fruit?
Starfruit, otherwise known as carambola is a tropical fruit native to Sri Lanka, India, the Philippines and other parts of Southeast Asia. They do, however, also grow in other warm climates, like Australia, Latin America and Florida and they're readily available in supermarkets.
Starfruit have a distinctive shape with five ridges and an edible waxy skin which varies from green for unripe to bright yellow with some brown along the ridges when ripe. When sliced thinly and vertically, each slice forms a dinky star shape.
Starfruit benefits
Starfruit or carambola is low in calories, sugar and sodium and rich in antioxidants, potassium, and vitamin C. They are also considered a potent source of both primary and secondary polyphenolic antioxidants.
What does star fruit taste like?
The ripe juicy grape like flesh of star fruit can range from sour to sweet depending on ripeness. The flavour is often described like a sweet mix of apple, pear, grape, and citrus.
How to cut star fruit?
Slicing up a star fruit requires minimum effort for maximum effect. Simply cut off the stem end and slice vertically to the desired thickness. Remove the seeds with a knife tip and use as required. Watch how it's done in this clip below:
Starfruit Recipes
The iconic shape of sliced starfruit makes them a popular garnish, whether used to add flair to cocktails or to add an exotic touch to smoothie bowls or salads.
Starfruit can be eaten fresh, juiced, blended into smoothies or cooked into curries or simply threaded onto fruit kebabs. Let your imagination run free and get creative! #stafruit.
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