Starfruit Trivia | 30 facts about the exotic fruit

Carambola or starfruit is an exotic fruit that resembles to a star. In general is consumed in Latin America, but it can be found in other places as well.

Let’s find out more about the “starry” fruit!

1. Starfruit is also known as carambola.
2. It is the fruit of Averrhoa carambola.
3. This a species of tree native to tropical Southeast Asia.
4. It originates from Sri Lanka and the Moluccas Islands, but it can be found in tropical and subtropical areas around the world today.
5. Starfruit grows in hot, frost-free areas, on fertile, slightly acidic loamy soil, exposed to direct sunlight.
6. People cultivate starfruit as a source of food and in ornamental purposes.
7. The fruit is commonly consumed in parts of Brazil, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the South Pacific, Micronesia, parts of East Asia, the United States, and the Caribbean.
8. The tree is cultivated throughout tropical areas of the world.
9. The fruit has distinctive ridges running down its sides (usually 5–6).
10. When cut in cross-section, it resembles a star.
11. Its shape gave it the name of star fruit.
12. The entire fruit is edible, usually raw, and may be cooked or made into relishes, preserves, garnish, and juices
13. ‘Starfruit’ are also known as ‘five-corner fruit’, ‘carambola’, and in Spanish-speaking countries ‘carambolo’.
14. Starfruit grow on a tree of medium size.
15. Starfruit is from the family Oxalidaceae, the family of wood sorrels.
16. Starfruit range from 5 to 15 centimetres (2 to 6 inches) long.
17. Also, the fruit features five or more large ridges down its length.
18. Starfruit has wax-like skin that is edible.
19. Depending on the variety, a somewhat sour to sweet tasting flesh that is juicy and crunchy, that is comparable to a mixture of apple, grape, pear and citrus.
20. Small clusters of red-stalked, lilac, purple-streaked, downy flowers, about 6 mm (0.25 in) wide, are borne on the twigs in the axils of the leaves.
21. The star fruit tree flowers throughout the year.
22. The main fruiting seasons from April to June and October to December in Malaysia.
23. The flesh is crunchy, firm, and extremely juicy.
24. When ripe, starfruit skin typically changes from a green or yellow-green colour, to a yellow colour, with the flesh ranging from cream to yellow.
25. Starfruit is often eaten raw, but it can also be stewed, preserved, pickled, juiced, made into relish, or cooked as part of a dish.
26. Some caution is required if star fruit is consumed while on certain medications, and the fruit can be dangerous for those with kidney-related health issues.
27. Starfruit is very high in vitamin C and is a good source of fibre, and the fruit contains many other vitamins and minerals.
28. The Portuguese word carambola, first known use 1598, was taken from Marathi karambal derived from Sanskrit karmaphala.
29. The trees are also grown as ornamentals for their abundant brightly colored and unusually shaped fruits, as well as for their attractive dark green leaves and their lavender to pink flowers
30. In Australia, they may be cooked as a vegetable, pickled, or made into jams, whereas in Jamaica they are sometimes dried.