Star Fruit
Photo: flickr user jeremydeades
About
Carambola is a tropical fruit believed to have originated in Sri Lanka and the Moluccas. The fruit can be described as resembling a star or having five "fingers". This crisp, juicy fruit ranges in color from light green to yellow, and can be sour to mildly sweet in taste.
When you slice carambola, the individual slices form perfect stars, which is why it is often used to garnish.
Information
Other names: Carambolier, Carambola, Fuang, Belimbing, Starfruit, Khe, Ma Fueng
Translations: スターフルーツ, نجمة الفاكهة, 스타 과일, כוכב פרי, Bintang Buah, Star Frukt, स्टार फल, Star фрукти, 杨桃, Star фрукты, Звезда воћа, Star плодове
Physical Description
3-4 inches long, greenish yellow with a waxy skin. Five deep ridges along the sides come up to form the points of the star when sliced.
Colors: Yellow
Tasting Notes
Flavors: Sour. Sweet
Mouthfeel: Crunchy, A bit astringent
Selecting and Buying
Seasonality: january, february, august, september, opctober, november, december
Procuring: Most Starfruit sold in the US is grown in Florida, Hawaii, California, and the Caribbean.