0 When a Star Fruit Is Ripe

The fruit of the deciduous carambola tree is called a star fruit. It earned the name because the ribbed fruit resembles a yellow star once sliced. Star fruit is a tropical plant native to Asia, central America and the tropical areas of South America. Carambola is now grown in some of the warmer, more tropical areas of the United States such as Florida and Hawaii. Knowing when your star fruit is properly ripe allows you to pick it for the table when the flavor is the sweetest and the fruit looks its best.

Step 1
Start checking the fruit for ripeness in mid-summer. Harvesting occurs primarily from mid-summer to late fall.

Step 2
Wait for the green to fade completely to yellow and the skin to become waxy in appearance. Give the fruit a slight tug; it will easily slip from the tree once fully ripe.

Step 3
Pick fruits early when they are still light green with only a slight bit of yellowing beginning, if desired. Store these inside where they naturally ripen on their own.

Step 4
Store still green fruits for up to four weeks in the refrigerator or two weeks at room temperature. Use fully ripe star fruit immediately.

0 Star Fruit Videos Part 2

Star Fruit Videos

0 Star Fruit Recipes Part 1

Star Fruit Chicken Rice

• 2 tablespoons olive oil


• 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper


• 1/2 cup chopped scallions


• 2 teaspoons mashed garlic


• 6 medium star fruit


• 1 cup heavy cream


• salt, black pepper and paprika to taste


• minced cilantro leaves for garnish


• 4 cups cooked rice


• 4 pounds cooked chicken breast, deboned, cut into bite size pieces

In a medium pan, heat olive oil. Saute red bell pepper, scallions, garlic and star fruit over medium low heat until tender about 8 minutes. Stir in heavy cream and season with salt, pepper and paprika. Cook over medium low heat for 8 minutes. In a large cooking pot, combine this mixture with the rice and chicken and heat until serving temperature about 5 minutes. Garnish with coriander.

Star Fruit Avocado Salad

• torn lettuce leaves


• 2 tomatoes, sliced


• 1/2 red onion, sliced very thin


• 1 avocado, sliced


• 2 star fruit, sliced

On each of four salad plates, arrange a bed of lettuce. Layer the remaining ingredients in the order listed. Drizzle with lemon vinaigrette or your favorite dressing. Serves 4.

Star Fruit Bread

• 2 cups flour


• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder


• 1/2 teaspoon salt


• 1 cup sugar,


• 1/2 cup butter, softened


• 3 eggs


• 1 teaspoon white wine


• 2 cups star fruit, mashed


• 1 cup chopped coconut

Preheat oven to 350F. In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. In a large bowl, cream sugar and butter and then cream in eggs. Blend in white wine and star fruit. Stir in flour mixture, blending thoroughly and then stir in coconut. Spoon into a well greased 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch bread pan. Bake for 50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.


Broiled Star Fruit over Vanilla Frozen Yogurt

• 2 large star fruit, trimmed and each sliced into 8 stars


• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice


• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar


• 2 cups sugar free, fat free vanilla frozen yogurt

Place a broiler rack 6 inches from source of heat. Preheat broiler. Arrange star fruit slices on a baking sheet and brush with lemon juice. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Broil until sugar bubbles and begins to darken, about 2 to 3 minutes. Meanwhile, scoop frozen yogurt into 4 dessert dishes. Top each serving with 4 star fruit slices. Serve at once. Serves 4.

Star Fruit Chicken Salad

Chicken Salad:

• 5 8 ounce chicken breasts, boneless


• 4 star fruit, sliced


• 2 red or yellow peppers, roasted, peeled and sliced


• 10 cups lettuce greens

• Oriental Mango Dressing:


• 2 teaspoons minced garlic


• 2 teaspoons minced ginger


• 1 teaspoon minced jalapeno pepper


• 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped


• 2 tablespoons basil, chopped


• 2 teaspoons sugar


• 2 tablespoons lime juice


• 2 cups diced mango


• 2 cups rice wine vinegar


• 2 tablespoons sesame oil


• 1 cup canola oil


• salt and pepper to taste

Method: Grill chicken breast, cool and slice into strips. Place lettuce greens in the center of a large plate or platter and alternate; placing chicken strips, roasted peppers and star fruit slices around the greens. Dressing: Combine first 8 ingredients in a bowl and slowly whisk in sesame and canola oil. Spoon over the top of salad. Serves 8 to 10.

Star Fruit Upside Down Cake

• 3 to 4 star fruit, sliced


• 1/4 cup butter, melted


• 2/3 cup dark brown sugar


• juice of 2 passion fruit


• 1/2 cup butter, softened


• 1 cup sugar


• 2 eggs


• 1 1/2 cups cake flour


• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder


• pinch of salt


• 1/2 cup milk


• 1 teaspoon each of vanilla and almond extract

Preheat oven to 350F. Arrange sliced star fruit in bottom of a greased 9 inch cake pan as close together as possible. Mix together 1/4 cup butter, brown sugar and passion fruit juice and pour into pan, turning so mixture covers bottom. Set aside. Cream together 1/2 cup of butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beat well. Mix together dry ingredients. Add flour mixture, alternately with milk, to butter mixture. Stir in vanilla and almond extracts. Pour into prepared cake pan. Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until cake pulls away form sides of pan. Let cool for five minutes before inverting onto serving plate. 8 servings.

Star Fruit Cocktail

• 1 star fruit, deveined


• 1/4 cup orange liqueur


• ice


• 1/2 cup rum crystale


• 1 cup fresh orange juice


• 1 star fruit, sliced for garnish

Blend all ingredients except for garnish. Garnish with a slice of star fruit.

Star Fruit Fruit Salad

• 1 sliced, seeded star fruit


• 1 banana, sliced


• juice of 1 lime


• 1 orange, peeled and sliced

Lightly mix fruit with lime juice. Serve cold over lettuce leaves or as fruit cups.

Sweet Star Fruit Relish

• 8 cups thinly sliced star fruit


• 1/2 teaspoon salt


• 1 1/2 cups cider vinegar


• 1 tablespoon whole cloves


• 4 cups sugar


• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, optional

Wash and thinly slice star fruit, taking care to remove seeds. Cover with cider by vinegar and allow to stand overnight. Drain off vinegar. Combine star fruit with sugar and salt. Add cloves; which have been placed in a cheesecloth bag and lightly pounded. Cook gently to the consistency of preserves. Allow to stand overnight. Remove spice bag and reheat mixture to boiling. Pack into hot pint jars. Wipe jar mouths and adjust lids. Process in boiling water bath canner for 10 minutes. *Note: when making for long term storage it is probably best to omit the nutmeg if you do not want a dark relish, although it certainly adds to the flavor. Makes about 5 pints.

Avocado, Star Fruit and Wilted Spinach Salad

• 1 tablespoon peanut or corn oil


• 1 teaspoon ground cumin


• 2 tablespoons chopped red onion


• 1/3 cup Japanese rice wine vinegar


• 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar


• 1 teaspoon soy sauce


• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes


• 1 pound fresh spinach, stemmed, washed and dried


• 2 star fruit, thinly sliced


• 1 avocado, peeled and sliced

In small, heavy skillet heat oil over medium heat, stir in cumin and cook for 30 seconds. Add onions and cook, stirring, until soft, about 2 minutes. Add vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce and red pepper flakes, stirring to mix well. In large bowl toss spinach with 3 tablespoons of warm dressing. Divide among 4 plates, arrange star fruit and avocado slices over top and drizzle with remaining dressing.

Star Fruit Sampler with Cranberry Coulis

Coulis:

• 1 pound cranberries, rinsed


• 2 cups water


• 2 cups sugar


• 1/4 cup grand marnier


• grated zest of one orange


• 2 whole star fruit, washed and sliced


• 1 large mango, peeled and sliced


• 2 kiwi, peeled and sliced


• mint and coconut to garnish


• 8 ounces mascarpone cheese

Coulis: Simmer cranberries with water and sugar in a medium size saucepan over medium heat about 10 minutes or until skins pop. Puree berries and juice in processor or blender. Remove and strain liquid over medium size bowl. Stir in grand marnier and grated orange zest. Refrigerate for one hour. Remove from refrigerator and divide sauce among six dessert plates. Arrange slices of star fruit, mango and kiwi on top. Garnish with fresh mint and coconut. Serve with a dollop of mascarpone cheese.

Star Fruit Soup

• 2 chicken drumsticks


• 1 star fruit, sliced


• 1 teaspoon lemon grass


• 1 teaspoon kaffir lime leaves, shredded


• 4 ounces shallots, chopped


• 4 cups chicken stock


• 2 teaspoons small tomatoes


• 1 ounce fish sauce


• 1 ounce black soya sauce


• 1 ounce white soya sauce


• 2 teaspoons coriander, chopped


• 1 red chilli, shredded

Place the chicken stock in a saucepan and boil the drumsticks until tender. Add black and white soya sauce to taste. Put sliced star fruit, shallots, tomatoes, lemon grass and shredded kaffir lime leaves in the pan and season with fish sauce to taste. Cook further 5 minutes. To serve: Pour into one large or two individual bowls and decorate with coriander and red chilli. Serve warm or hot.

0 What is a star fruit

It is also know as Carambola

The star fruit is a tropical fruit that is gaining popularity in the United States. This fruit acquired its name from the five pointed star shape when cut across the middle of the fruit. It has a waxy, golden yellow to green color skin with a complicated flavor combination that includes plums, pineapples, and lemons.

Originally from Sri Lanka and the Moluccas, and cultivated in Southeast Asia and Malaysia for several hundred years, this fruit also goes by many other names including: bilimbi, belimbing, Chinese star fruit, five-angled fruit and the star apple. Today, star fruit flourishes in south Florida and Hawaii because the fruit thrives on growing in a warm environment. Two types of star fruit are grown, tart and sweet. Tart varieties typically have narrowly spaced ribs, while sweet varieties tend to have thick, fleshy ribs. The tastes between the two are hardly distinguishable, as the tart variety still has some sweetness. This tropical fruit is readily available July through February.

Star fruits are an excellent source of vitamin C, is low fat, and naturally sodium and cholesterol free. A small whole star fruit will provide approximately 2/3 cup sliced.

Selection
Select firm, shiny skinned, even colored fruit. Star fruits will ripen at room temperature and have lightly brown edges on the ribs when it’s ripe. Avoid purchasing star fruit with brown, shriveled ribs. This delicious fruit is also available dried.

Storage
Non-ripe star fruit should be turned often, until they are yellow in color and ripe with light brown ribs. Store ripe star fruits at room temperature for two to three days or unwashed, and refrigerated, in a plastic bag for up to one week.

Preparation
Star fruits are great to eat out of hand as these tropical delights do not need to be peeled or seeded before eating. Simply wash the fruit, remove any blemished areas, cut crosswise to get the star shape, and eat!

0 Star Fruit Salad Recipe

"My husband and I are both trying to lose weight. Weve found that this delicious combination makes a nutritious snack," says Kristin McPherson of Moultrie, Georgia.

Ingredients
    * 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
    * 1-1/2 teaspoons honey
    * 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
    * 1 snack-size carton (4 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained
    * 1/2 small apple, chopped
    * 4 small strawberries, sliced
    * 1 small star fruit, sliced
    * 1 small plum, sliced
    * 2 tablespoons chopped pecans, toasted, optional

Directions
* In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, honey and lemon juice. Add fruit; toss gently to coat. Cover and refrigerate until serving. Sprinkle with pecans if desired. Yield: 2 servings.

Nutritional Analysis: 1 cup equals 172 calories, 6 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 3 mg cholesterol, 41 mg sodium, 26 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 5 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fruit, 1 fat, 1/2 reduced-fat milk.

0 Star fruit

Averrhoa carambola, Family Oxalidaceae

Where seen? This tree with pretty pink flowers were commonly planted by villagers and are seen in wild areas where kampungs used to be. According to Hsuan Keng, it possibly originated from South India. According to Burkill and Corners, it is native to Java and eastwards.

Features: A small tree (to about 10m), profusely branched. Compound leaves made up of (3-5 pairs of small (5-10cm long) leaftlets, the end leaflets rather large. Flowers small, bell-shaped, pink or red. The fruit is star-shaped in cross section, long (8-12cm), green and juicy. According to Corners, some trees bear sweet fruits, others sour ones.

Human uses: The fruit is considered cooling. According to Burkill, those with sweet fruits are eaten fresh or made into jams and tarts, while sour ones are cooked. The crushed leaves and shoots are used by the Malays to treat chicken pox, ringworm and headaches. The fruits are also used to treat a hangover from too much drinking as well as stomach ailments. The acid in the juices may be used to clean metal.

0 Star Fruit

Star Fruit or Carambola, iss the fruit of Averrhoa carambola, a species of tree native to the Philippines (where they are called balimbing or saranate, depending on their sourness), Indonesia (belimbing), Malaysia, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The tree and its fruit are popular throughout Southeast Asia, the South Pacific and parts of East Asia. The tree is also cultivated throughout the tropics, such as in Costa Rica, Peru, Colombia, Trinidad, Ecuador, Guyana, Dominican Republic and Brazil, and, in the United States, in south Florida and Hawaii. The carambola should not be confused with the closely related bilimbi, which is called belimbing sayur or belimbing wuluh in Indonesia.

The fruit has ridges running down its sides (usually five); in cross-section it resembles a star, hence its name. The number of ridges can vary from three to six.



Origins and distribution

The Star Fruit has been grown in parts of Asia for hundreds of years—it may have originated in Sri Lanka or Moluccas, Indonesia. It is also available in Bangladesh, known as Kamranga. Malaysia is the global leader in starfruit production by volume and ships the product all over Asia and Europe.

Due to concerns over pests and pathogens, however, whole starfruits cannot yet be imported to the US from Malaysia under current FDA/USDA regulation. In the United States, starfruits are grown in tropical and semitropical areas, including Florida, Puerto Rico and Hawaii.

Gastronomy

The fruit is entirely edible, including the slightly waxy skin. The flesh is crunchy, firm, and extremely juicy. The texture is similar in consistency to grapes.

Star Fruit are best consumed when ripe, when they are yellow with a light shade of green. They will also have brown ridges at the five edges and feel firm. Overripe starfruit will be yellow with brown spots and can become soggier in consistency.

Ripe carambolas are sweet without being overwhelming, and have a tart, sour undertone. The taste is difficult to compare, but it has been likened to a mix of apple, pear and citrus family fruits all at once. Unripe starfruits are firmer, sour, and taste like green apples.

Health


Benefits

Star Fruit is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C and low in sugar, sodium and acid. It is also a potent source of both primary and secondary polyphenolic antioxidants. A. Star Fruit has both antioxidant and antimicrobial activities: scavenging of NO by the fruit extract is dependent on concentration and stage of ripening. Extracts showed antimicrobial activity against E. coli, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus.[citation needed]

Risks

Star Fruit is a fairly complex fruit with many benefits, but like strawberries [citation needed], a small percentage of the human population should be cautious of the fruit for health reasons. Star Fruit contains oxalic acid, which can be harmful to individuals suffering from kidney failure, kidney stones, or those under kidney dialysis treatment. Consumption by those with kidney failure can produce hiccups, vomiting, nausea, and mental confusion. Fatal outcomes have been documented in some patients.

Drug interactions

Like the grapefruit, carambola is considered to be a potent inhibitor of seven cytochrome P450 isoforms. These enzymes are significant in the first-pass elimination of many medicines, and thus, the consumption of Star Fruit or its juice in combination with certain medications can significantly increase their effective dosage within the body. Research into grapefruit juice has identified a number of common medications affected, including statins, which are commonly used to treat cardiovascular illness, and benzodiazepines (a tranquilizer family including diazepam).

Cultivation

The Star Fruit is a tropical and subtropical fruit. In India, it is called kamrak, and can be grown at up to 4,000 feet (1,200 m) in elevation. It prefers full sun exposure, but requires enough humidity and a total of 70 inches or more of rainfall a year. It does not have a soil type preference, but it requires good drainage.

Star Fruit trees are planted at least 20 feet (6.1 m) from each other and typically are fertilized three times a year. The tree grows rapidly and typically produces fruit at four or five years of age. The large amount of rain during spring actually reduces the amount of fruit, but, in ideal conditions, Star Fruit can produce from 200 to 400 pounds (91 to 180 kg) of fruit a year. The fruit is harvested mainly during the months of June, July, and August, but sometimes year-round.

Major pests are fruit flies, ants, and birds. Crops are also susceptible to frosts, especially in the United States and in the Philippines.

0 Star Fruit Salad

Do not peel the glossy, golden-yellow star fruit--simply rinse it thoroughly. When ripe, this showy warm-climate fruit is exceedingly juicy and fragrant. Choose smaller fruit for this salad.

Total Time: 15 mins
Servings: 8 (1 1/4 cup salad and 1 tablespoon dressing) servings

Ingredients
    * 1/4 cup  raspberry vinegar or red wine vinegarOn Sale
    * 3 tablespoons  salad oilOn Sale
    * 1 tablespoon  honeyOn Sale
    * 1 10-ounce package  torn mixed Italian blend salad greensOn Sale
    * 1 small  star fruit (carambola), thinly slicedOn Sale
    * 1/2   small red onion, thinly sliced (1/3 cup)On Sale
    * Fresh raspberries (optional)

Directions
In a screw-top jar combine vinegar, oil, and honey. Cover and shake well. In a very large bowl toss salad greens with star fruit and onion. Shake dressing well and pour over salad mixture. Toss lightly to coat. If desired, garnish with a few fresh raspberries. Makes 8 (1 1/4 cup salad and 1 tablespoon dressing) servings.

Nutrition Facts
Calories 65, Total Fat 5 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Monounsaturated Fat 1 g, Polyunsaturated Fat 3 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 6 mg, Carbohydrate 5 g, Total Sugar 3 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 1 g. Exchanges: Vegetable 1, Fat 1. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

0 Types of Star Fruit

Two Types of Star Fruit

Sweet Star Fruit

 Sour Star Fruit

Type of Star Fruit - In the worldthere are two types of star fruit, sweet star fruit and sour star fruit. Both of these types of star fruit have differentshapes and flavors. But both are still ina clump of types of star fruit.

A different type of star fruit that is the first leather-backis sour star fruit is often used as afood supplement. Generally,the preferred sweetstar fruit, attractive color, finely fibrous, and has a refreshingsweet taste. Types of Star fruit that can be classified as lower levels of "bad" cholesterol in the body.

Both types of star fruit are capable of preventing the onset of hepatitis. The fruit is a source of vitamins, especially vitamin Aand C, as antioxidants and powerfulin the fight against free radicals. The fruit is also able to help prevent the spread of cancer cells, increase endurance and preventcanker sores.

Besides these twokinds of star fruit also has good fiber content so that it can improve digestion, and contain high levels of potassium, and sodium lowas hypertension medication. Types of star fruit caretaker position compared to other fruits because ofthe low calorie suitablefor fruit enthusiastswho are overweight.

0 Cut a Star Fruit

Star Fruit, usually grown in Thailand and parts of Southeast Asia, Australia, South America, Hawaii and Florida during the winter months. The fruit is rich in vitamin C, and only 30 calories. The fruit is also rich in antioxidants and flavonoids. Cut the star fruit and food preparation should not be many problems, but you have to cut the fruit before eating. Once you cut the fruit, you can refrigerate or freeze for later enjoyment.

Select a star ripe fruit. Ripe fruits have a yellow star. They have green. When you press the whole fruit.

Carambola Rinse with cold water.

Star fruit upright on a cutting board. Keep it, and cut with a sharp knife to cut the ends of the central dark cobwebs star. Cut the surface along the edges of the edges brown.

In turn the star fruit. Cut off the tip of the star fruit. It is where the nail was identified.

Carambola slices. Cut vertically into thin slices, so that each piece is shaped like a star. Can sliced ​​thick or thin as you want.

Use the knife to remove the seeds. They are dark brown and look like apple seeds.

0 Star Fruit Reference

 

University.uog.edu - Uaex.edu

Ippc.int - Fitday.com

Pkdiet.com - Oxfordjournals.org

0 Care for Star Fruit Trees

Its been in Asia for centuries, wild fruit trees to create a single point of contact for the gardens. The five-pointed star-shaped fruit can be eaten by a tree or use a variety of dessert recipes. As a tropical tree, grows best in zones 10-11. Make sure that the tree planted in full sun with good drainage. Country, a series of pH greater than 7 is the tree of due process. Caring makes the fruit crops, Star is a rich field of interest.

Make sure your carambola trees for symptoms of a high pH, ​​because the tree can not absorb the nutrients to reach more than 7. Look for small white linen and heavy silence. Create a routine test of soil pH on the ground. You can save a pH soil test for your gardening supplies. Dig a hole 6 inches in order to collect samples and send to the laboratory at your disposal. Wait for the results and add lime to acidic soils and sulfur to alkaline soils.

Water newly planted trees once a week throughout the year to help a strong root system. Give them the depth of irrigation by slowly releasing water to hold your line. For trees more than a year of water regularly during the growing season to harvest.

Fertilize young trees every 30 to 60 days with 1 / 2 pounds of fertilizer. Use a fertilizer with a quantity (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) NPK 6-2-6.

Remove any grass that grows in five meters of the tribe. The plants can not compete with grass and other nutrients in the soil. The health of star fruit trees suffer when exposed to artificial turf. Keep a 2-inch layer of mulch around the tree.

Prune young trees sprouts from 1 to 2 years with more than 3 feet of growth, very thick. Cut a 45 degree angle to the bottom quarter inch of a button, which grows healthy. Central leadership, choosing a sound button and vertical cuts in all branches of the vertical competition.

0 Peel a Star Fruit

Star Fruit (Carambola) - as the name suggests, a cut at both ends, cut the fruit looks like a five-pointed star. Even as a star fruit, exotic fruits that grow well in Florida and Hawaii, and South Asia. At maturity, the fruit is the star of golden light brown back. Although the skin is completely edible, some people find it best to peel before eating. It may be an impossible task, but a star fruit peels is not difficult.

Star Fruit, rinse with cold water. Clean with a cloth.

Place the fruit on board, or the cleaning of hard surfaces. Start by cutting the desired thickness of fruit on the side.

The slices on the table. Cut the brown tips of each of the five points.

Place the tip of a knife to cut. Carefully remove any traces behind, turning the fruit, if necessary, to the point where you started.

Take your knife and carefully remove the seeds. Enjoy your fruit is peeled stars.