Star Fruit or carambola is a fruit native to Southeast Asia and grows in warmer and tropical climates (1). In Canada, they are all imported while in the US they grow in Hawaii, Florida and Puerto Rico (2). Similar to its name, when sliced the pieces resemble stars.
Star fruit tastes like a cross between a green grape, an unripe pear with the zest of an orange. Because it’s an attractive fruit, it’s often used in fruit salads and drinks.
Star Fruit Nutrition – 1 serving 89 g (1 medium)
High in Vitamin C – 50% (Recommended Daily Intake per serving)
Source of Folate – 5% (Recommended Daily Intake per serving)
Source of Fibre – 2.5 g per serving
Low in Carbohydrates – 8 g per serving
Nutrition info from Half Your Plate Canada and NutritionData.Self.Com
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Important Nutrition Notes About Star Fruit
Star Fruit is not for people with kidney disease. There is a neurotoxin found in the fruit that is excreted in a person with normal functioning kidneys. In people with kidney disease, the toxin can build up and causing star fruit poisoning. If you have kidney disease, you should not be eat star fruit. Read more at National Kidney Foundation.
Star Fruit and Dogs
Do not give star fruit to your dog. It is toxic to dogs (3, 4).
When Star Fruit is Ripe to Eat
The fruit is ripe to eat when there is a sweet smell with the skin golden and the ribs will be slightly brown (3). There may be small hints of green.
How to Eat Star Fruit
To prepare the fruit, wash it under running water. Cut off the ends and discard. Slice the fruit, remove the seeds and it’s ready to eat!
Star Fruit Mocktail Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins | Total Time 15 mins | Serves 2
Ingredients
1 medium star fruit, washed, chopped with seeds removed. Reserve 2 star fruit slices for garnish.
½ cup orange juice or pineapple juice
1 wedge lemon
2 Tbsp ginger syrup – see note*
1 can (330 mL or 1.5 cups) soda water
Instructions
- Add star fruit pieces and juice to blender. Pulse until combined.
- Remove from blender. Squeeze lemon juice and add ginger syrup. Pulse again.
- Pour into 2 glasses. Top with soda water.
- Garnish with a slice of star fruit and enjoy!
*How to Make Ginger Syrup
Ingredients
1/3 cup fresh ginger, peeled, and thinly sliced.
½ cup sugar
½ cup water
Instructions
Heat ginger, water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium low heat. Stir until all sugar dissolves. Simmer for another 30 mins until syrup thickens.
Cool to room temperature. This can be stored and used in drinks, on top of ice cream or to be given away as gifts.
Bonus: Dry out the ginger pieces and make candied ginger!
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