Carambola The Star Fruit A
ppropriately named due to its appearance when sliced across the middle, Star Fruit is also known as Carambola. Native to Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent, Carambola was brought to our land over 150 years ago. While this name may not be familiar to you, I am referring to the five- finger fruit as it is popularly known here in Guyana. Carambola comes from a tree known as the Averrhoa carambola, which is a slow growing tree can reach up to 30 feet in height. Apart from producing the fruit, the tree produces a small bellshaped flower which is usually a red to purple in colour. The tree thrives in tropical regions, such as Guyana, and can bear flowers year round and fruits 3 to 5 times a year under these conditions. Unlike many other fruits, an entire Carambola can be eaten. Yes, that includes the skin as well. Star fruit’s texture is crunchy, firm and juicy! A ripe carambola will be sweet with a slight sour undertone while a young carmabola will be quite sour. So how can you tell the difference between a young carambola and a ripe one? A young carambola will be green in colour and very firm while a ripe carambola will have yellow colour with brown ridges along the five edges of the fruit. A ripe
By Zahrah Alli carambola will also not be as firm as a young one. Some have compared the taste of a Carambola to that of a pineapple, an orange, an apple and even a lemon! Your taste buds may have a different opinion. Like many other fruits, star fruits provide numerous benefits but there are some risks as will from consuming this fruit. Let’s look at these risks first. Carambola contains oxalic acid which is harmful to kidney patients. Persons with kidney failure, kidney stones, under dialysis treatment and even chronic renal failure should not consume five finger due to the presence of this acid. Consumption can cause hiccups, muscle weakness, seizures, insomnia, vomiting and even mental confusion. Don’t have a kidney problem? Well then the benefits from carambola are numerous for you! Let’s take a look at them: • •
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Rich in ascorbic acid, star fruit can help to maintain bones, teeth, skin and your immune system. The little amounts of B vitamins present can help lower cholesterol and reduce risk of stroke and heart attack. Vitamin A aids your vision and appetite 23 - Horizons 2012
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Rich in soluble fiber, consumption of the fruit can reduce cholesterol levels and keep your bowels healthy. HOW TO MAKE THE PERFECT STAR 1. Rinse/lightly wash the fruit in water. 2. On a cutting board, cut very shallowly along each of the five ridges to remove the brown outer edge, should the fruit be ripe enough to have this. 3. One end of the fruit will be flat and the other will come to a peak. This peak is where the stem was attached and should be cut off. 4. Now you can begin to slice the star fruit. Your slices can be thick or thin, it’s entirely up to you! 5. Using the tip of your knife, discard any seeds which you may come across in cutting your slices. Now that you have the perfect star you can get straight to eating! It may also be used as a garnish for a delicious dish you have prepared, as part of a salad or dessert or I’m even told it makes a great tasting juice. Whichever way you choose to consume your five- finger, ENJOY! Fun Fact: Did you know a single cup of sliced carambola contains 37.2mg of vitamin c.