Star fruit or carambola is a sweet and sour fruit that has the shape of a five-point star. The skin is edible and the flesh has a mild, sour flavor that makes it popular in a number of dishes. The star fruit is yellow or green in color. It comes in two main types: a smaller, sour variety and a larger, sweeter one.

Appearance

• In appearance, the star fruit is an oval-shaped fruit with five ridges that stretch longitudinally across. It is the ridges that gives the appearance of a star when viewed cross-sectionally, hence, the name – Star Fruit.
• The fruit is both sweet and sour based on the variety choosen. Some sour varieties even turn sweet over time as they ripen.
• In addition to these many characteristics, the fruit possesses several nutrients that will not only provide the body with essential nutrients but also keep the body healthy for the long run.

Planting:

• It comes best in the well drained potting mix and requires good drainage. Moderate watering supports its growth during dry seasons. Heavy rains may inhibit fruit production.
• Carambola trees are planted at least 6 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, carambola can produce from 90 to 180 kgs of fruit a year. The carambola tree flowers throughout the year, with main fruiting seasons from April to June. 

Nutritional Value of Star Fruit

• Star fruit is a low-calorie but high- fibre food that makes it exceptionally healthy. It is also loaded with Vitamin B, Vitamin C, sodium, potassium, iron and several important antioxidants making it an all-round healthy snack.
• Star fruit is considered a superfood now, and is a part of many a health conscious salad-eater’s diet. It is full of vitamin C and is believed to help control blood sugar.
• For every 100g of serving, you consume:

            Fat 0.3g

            Carbohydrates 7g

            Dietary Fiber 2.8g

            Protein 1g 

HARVESTING:

• Carambolas are best consumed shortly after they ripen, when they are yellow with a light shade of green or just after all traces of green have disappeared.
• They will also have brown ridges at the edges and feel firm. Fruits picked while still slightly green will turn yellow in storage at room temperature, but will not increase in sugar content.
• Overripe carambola will be yellow with brown spots and can become blander in taste and soften in consistency.

Health Benefits of Star Fruit

1. Prevents Inflammation

2. Good for the Heart

3. Fights Diabetes and High Cholesterol

4. Better Digestion and Metabolism

5. Healthy Hair and Skin

6. Regulates Weight

7. May improve metabolism

KEY WORDS :

Star fruit , ridges , superfood, dietery fibre, vitamins, metabolism, sugar content , antioxidants, salads

Write up by :

Kavita B M

BSc . Agri