Our Juicy Carambola (Starfruit)

No one can say NO to a fresh, ripe Carambola. Firstly, this is a cool looking fruit – sunny-yellow and star shaped, it looks unreal when sliced and presented on a plate – there is no other fruit like it.

And then comes the taste – complex sweetness with a bit of tart, a very unique flavor. In a climate like ours, a bowl of chilled Starfruit slices is the perfect refreshment on a hot dry season afternoon as is a refreshing juice made from slightly unripe fruit. But there are many other ways to enjoy the Starfruit – and cultures around the world have developed their own special dishes and flavors.

THE FRUIT

Also known as Five-Fingers & Jimbilin (Jamaica), Star-Apple, Belimbing (Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines), and Kamrakh (India), Carambolas are bright yellow-orange when ripe and greenish-yellow when ripening, covered by a thin and edible waxy skin. The ripe flesh is crisp, juicy and yellow. Fruit typically range from 5 to 15cm in length and while the 5-pronged star shape is most poplar, some fruit may have 6 or 7 prongs. The shelf life of the Carambola fruit is rather short so it should be consumed with minimal delay.

There are two main varieties – a smaller and more sour Starfruit that can be used for cooking & pickling, and a larger sweeter type that is used in cooking and salads but also juiced or consumed alone.

Carambola is one of Costa Rica’s the three ‘wet season’ fruit – the other two being Mamón Chino (Rambutan), and the Maracuyá (Passionfruit) – although the Carambola often fruits many times in a single year.

THE TASTE

Did you know that the entire Carambola is edible – including the seeds and the slightly waxy skin? The fruit itself does not contain any fibers and is a crunchy, watery delight. The taste is very complex – it has been compared to a mix of apple, grape, pear and citrus flavors. Ripe Starfruit have also been said to taste like ripe, juicy Kiwifruit. The undertones present a tarty and slightly sour flavor.

PREPARATION

Starfruit can be prepared in a number of ways – the simplest and quickest method is to simply serve a sliced fruit, either with the skin and seeds removed or not. In hot climates, cooling the Carambola makes for a sweet, refreshing and enjoyable snack.

A bit more preparation can add accenting flavors – spices like chili powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cumin, turmeric, etc can be sprinkled on the fruit – this is up to individual tastes. In certain Asian countries Starfruit are enjoyed with a sprinkle of salt while in Jamaica, where the fruit is known as Jimbilin, they are dried and eaten like chips.

Combining the Carambola with other tropical fruit can make for an amazing salad – papaya, dragon fruit, pineapples, and mangoes go very well with Starfruit. Due to the fruit’s Asian origin, it is often used as a relish or an ingredient of local sauces and curries – in hundreds of regional varieties. The tartness also makes Starfruit a popular accompaniment to fish & seafood dishes.

Carambola chutneys, salsas and sauces are popular in many global cultures –  the green Carambola varieties, or slightly unripe yellow Carambolas, are often used as the slightly sour & tart flavor is perfect for adding accents to the foods. Sweet or tart Starfruit jams can preserve the fruit for year-round use.

And of course there is the juice – this is a popular way to consume Star Fruit in Costa Rica, where slightly unripe fruit is used fo rjuicing. Drank stand-alone, combined with other fruit juices, used in shakes and smoothies, or added to cocktails, the unique flavors make Starfruit juice a favorite around the world. Starfruit Paloma and Starfruit Margarita are popular cocktail options, while many other alcoholic drinks also use a Starfruit garnish. Experiment – for example the Zombie drink already includes lime, lemon, pineapple and passionfruit juices – adding some Carambola juice can play with the flavors and create your own unique signature cocktail to be served to your visiting family and friends.

Or how about the Starboy – a cocktail created by the Weeknd to celebrate his 2017 ‘Legends of the Fall’ tour. The strong vodka and gin-based cocktail was developed in collaboration with Grey Goose. Different version include Starfruit juice or garnish while in others it is garnished with Star Anise.

MYTH & STORIES

In many cultures around the world the Carambola is associated with good fortune and good luck. Its sunny color and star shape has lead to association with celestial or mythical domains.

In Chinese mythology, the Moon Goddess Chang’e grows a Starfruit tree in her moon garden. Its fruit is thought to bring abundance and joy, and even the ability to grant wishes. One of the major goddesses in Chinese mythology, Chang’e appears in Chinese folk religion, Chinese Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Today, Chang’e is also the namesake of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program. Her legends date back to over 3,000 years.

A contemporary Vietnamese tale, ‘The Golden Starfruit Tree‘, is a story of humility, contentment, fortune and greed –  teaching the reader about the value of humbleness and the pitfalls of materialism. Interestingly China has her own version, called ‘The Magical Starfruit Tree‘, a story that is different but one which also teaches a lesson about the pitfalls of selfishness & greed.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

The fruit has been demonstrated to show antioxidant, hypoglycemic (helps to lower and manage blood sugar levels), hypotensive (blood-pressure lowering), hypocholesterolemic (cholesterol lowering), anti‐inflammatory, anti‐infective, antitumor, and immune‐boosting effects. These benefits are due to very high fiber content and certain molecules present in the fruit. You can learn more about Carambola’s benefits from the National Library of Medicine.

Carambolas are very high in Vitamin C, and high in Vitamin B9, Magnesium, Potassium, Antioxidants, and Fiber.

As always, be careful and consult a doctor before using the Starfruit for its medical properties – and be especially careful if you plan to consume high amounts of the fruit, or if you have kidney issues.

STARFRUIT TREE

The Carambola tree is very tropical – it prefers warm temperatures year-round, full sun (6-8 hours per day) yet high rainfall of over 1,800mm per year – and will only grow up to about 1,200 meters in elevation. In good conditions the tree experiences rapid growth, being able to produce fruit just 4 years after sprouting. Up to 180kg (or 400 lbs) of Starfruit can be annually produced by a single tree, with several flowering and fruiting periods happening throughout the year.

Reaching 9 meters, or 30 feet, in height, the Starfruit is a medium-sized tree.

The tree itself has found fame as an ornamental decoration – the deep green leaves, beautiful yellow fruit and stunning lavender flowers present a very striking and attractive plant. Pruning is necessary to retain an attractive shape, encourage fruit production and keep the tree healthy by removing dead or compromised branches.

OXALIC ACID

Like the Bilimbi, Starfruit is rich in  Oxalic acid – this makes the juice useful in de-greasing machinery and cleaning stains, especially rust stains. It is also used industrially to set fabric dyes.

SO just like the Bilimbi, Starfruit should be consumed in moderation and people with kidney problems should be especially careful with their consumption. Oxalic Acids binds to minerals, like calcium, in our bodies to form Oxalates – through this mechanism it may form kidney stones in people with kidney issues.

The highest concentration of Oxalic Acid is found around the edges of the fruit, near the skin. Removing these areas greatly reduces, but does not eliminate, the Oxalic Acid content of Starfruit.

STARFRUIT & COSTA RICA

Carambola originated in the tropics of Southeast Asia – it then spread, by traders and explorers, to the Indian subcontinent, Oceania, Pacific Islands, and our corner of the world – tropical South and Central America. Today the fruit is cultivated in tropical climates around the globe, and is so pervasive that in some areas it is threatening to become an uncontrollable invasive specie.

In Costa Rica the tree does very well in warmer lowland areas where rain is plentiful. In places with a dry season, especially Tropical Savannah & Monsoon climates, watering may at times be required. The tree does very well under drip irrigation and will give two or more plentiful crops every year, if taken care of.

Another way to enjoy starfruit is to put a few slices outside, on a raised platform. The fruit is a favorite of butterflies including out majestic Blue Morpho – they especially flock to over-ripened or rotting fruit. So instead of throwing away spoiled Carambolas, put them outside and put on a butterfly show for your cold-climate visitors!

Our tropical area boasts untold variety of strange, exotic, and tasty produce – a visit to a local fruit stall will leave you speechless! Imagine living in a beautiful, tropical land where each day brings an explosion of new tastes and wonder – you can make this dream a reality much quicker than you think! Take the first step by browsing our local property listings here. RE/MAX WE SELL PARADISE is your trusted partner in this land of exotic and tropical culinary delights – we are waiting for your call!