What is it?
Star fruit is a juicy tropical fruit.
What does it look like?
The fruit has distinctive ridges running down its sides (usually five but can sometimes vary); in cross-section, it resembles a star, hence the name. It is an oval shape, and ripe star fruits are yellow.
Other names?
Carambola is it's "proper" name.
Where's it from?
It is native to the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Nepal, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The fruit is popular throughout Southeast Asia, the South Pacific, Micronesia, and parts of East Asia. The tree is also cultivated throughout non-indigenous tropical areas, such as in Latin America, the Caribbean, and the southern United States.
How do I eat it?
The star fruit is at its best (and most sweet) when it is yellow. If you can leave it until it has brown along the ridges, it'll be even better. The whole of the fruit is edible, and it can be eaten from the hand like an apple. It is great eaten cold and plain, or cooked, and even included in savoury salads. They are also popular in juices and smoothies. They're best eaten in Winter, when they're readily available.
What does it taste like?
They have a tart, sour undertone. The taste is difficult to compare, but it has been likened to a mix of apple, pear, grape, and citrus family fruits. Unripe star fruits are firmer and sour, and taste like green apples. Ripe carambolas may also be used in cooking.
What are the health benefits?
They're a good source of Vitamin C, so star fruit can help ward off winter colds and flu's.
With only 30 calories per fruit plus lots of fiber, star fruit is a great choice for anyone trying to lose weight. They're also very healthy - full of antioxidants and flavonoids.
Have you tried star fruit? Let us know @office_fruit
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