What is the name of the star fruit?

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Today, stores offer a real abundance of exotic fruits. Not all people know their correct name, and they don’t have the slightest idea about the taste qualities. In our article, we will take a closer look at the asterisk fruit. First of all, let's dwell on how it is correctly called and in which countries it grows. We will also be sure to consider how to choose a ripe fruit so that it pleases with excellent taste and is good for the body.

What is the star fruit called?

In Europe, this fruit is loved for its unusual shape. It is enough to cut it across - and the original decoration for the festive table is ready. In different languages, the name of the fruit of an interesting shape sounds differently - starfruit, carom, tropical star, star apple. And all of them perfectly characterize the externalkind of plant.

The correct name of the fruit with an asterisk, according to scientific classification, is carambola. It belongs to the oxalis family, a genus of woody plants Averroa. The fruits grow on trees with a dense crown, reaching a height of 3-5 meters, and wide leaves up to 50 centimeters long. Glossy to the touch, the yellow-green fruit has a ribbed surface. When cut, the fruit forms a five-pointed star.

Where does carambola grow?

The birthplace of the star fruit is Southeast Asia. In the wild, carambola grows on the island of Sri Lanka, in India and Indonesia. The plant is acclimatized in Brazil, Guyana, some US states (Hawaii, Florida), Israel. From these countries, fruits of an unusual shape are often imported to Russia.

Tourists can watch carambola grow when visiting Thailand. The plant blooms several times a year. At this time, its crown is covered with beautiful, pink-lavender flowers. After about 2 months, green ribbed fruits are formed, inside of which there are several seeds. Fruit turns yellow as it ripens. The length of carambola does not exceed 15 cm. The fruit ripening period is May-August.

If desired, carambola is easily grown at home from an ordinary seed. The plant is unpretentious in care, shade-tolerant, not afraid of drafts. Medium watering required.

Taste of exotic fruit

We can definitely say that this fruit is very juicy. But he can tastebe completely different. Unripe fruits, namely in this form they are removed from trees for subsequent import to Russia, are quite sour, with an unpleasant aftertaste. Such a fruit is more like a vegetable, such as a cucumber. Ripe fruits with massive ribbed outgrowths have a rather sweet taste. Carambola is often compared to gooseberries, apples, cucumbers, grapes, and even oranges. Several flavor notes are combined in one plant at once, which is why it is so difficult to describe this tropical fruit. Thanks to its high water content and sweet and sour refreshing taste, carambola easily quenches thirst.

The asterisk fruit has almost the correct shape of a five-pointed star in the cut, so it is often used to decorate cocktails and desserts. At home, carambola is stored in the refrigerator for about three weeks.

Composition and benefits for the body

One of the pleasant advantages of the star fruit is its low calorie content. 100 grams of juicy and ripe carambola contains only 34 kcal. The pulp contains a large amount of minerals important for the body (calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus and iron), as well as vitamins (C, B1, B2, B5, beta-carotene).

Carambola is recommended for:

• weakened immunity and beriberi;
• headaches, dizziness and fever;
• abdominal colic and constipation.

Sweet and sour tropical fruits of an unusual shape are a source of antioxidants,have an antimicrobial and antifungal effect on the body. The pulp of ripe carambola helps to reduce the level of glucose and cholesterol in human blood.

Asian healers use for medicinal purposes not so much the fruits as the leaves and flowers of the plant. But regular consumption of fruits will be enough to improve your condition and strengthen your he alth.

Harm and contraindications

Due to the high content of oxalic acid, carambola may not be as he althy as it seems at first glance. People with diseases of the kidneys, stomach and duodenum should refrain from eating sweet and sour fruits with juicy pulp. Oxalic acid can aggravate the course of diseases such as gastritis and enterocolitis. At the same time, residents of Asian countries use the properties of this substance when removing stains, as well as when polishing copper and brass.

Excessive consumption of star fruit can cause intoxication. Signs of this condition are hiccups, vomiting, numbness, muscle weakness, or insomnia. Intoxication appears within 1-14 hours after eating carambola.

How to choose ripe fruits?

Only fruits that have ripened on the tree have the sweet taste and pleasant smell of jasmine. They are distinguished by their characteristic bright yellow color and brown stripes on massive ribs. Unfortunately, they can only be purchased in places where carambola is directly grown. To import fruits for hundredskilometers, they have to be plucked still green. Such fruits ripen directly on store shelves or in a home refrigerator.

In Russia, it will be quite difficult to choose ripe carambola fruits. The "asterisk" fruit, presented in our stores, has a light green or pale yellow color. Carambola should sit at room temperature for several days or in the refrigerator for up to three weeks before it is fully ripe and eaten.

How do you eat star fruit?

The unusual shape of carambola makes it possible to use carambola cut into thin slices as a decoration for drinks, desserts, fruit salads and other dishes. However, the use of exotic fruit with an asterisk in cooking is not limited to this.

In Asian countries, carambola is used in the preparation of many interesting drinks and dishes:

1. Sweet and sour fruit juice is added to alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails, giving them an exquisite taste.
2. Unripe fruits are used as vegetables and should be fried, stewed and pickled.
3. Ripe carambola boiled in syrup and served as a delicious dessert.
4. Sweet, naturally ripened fruit used in jam, marmalade and jelly.
5. In China, chefs add carambola to meat or fish dishes, and also make delicious sauces from it.

When eaten raw, the fruits are not peeled, but eaten straight with a smooth and thin skin. First carambola is goodwashed to remove dirt from the cavities and ribs, and then cut into 1 cm thick slices.