Eat Local: Star Fruit

Star fruit, also known as carambola, is a tropical fruit grown in south Florida.1 When sliced, the fruit resembles a five-pointed star, hence its name. Look for it at your local grocery store or farmers market.

Star Fruit Facts

  • Florida produces 90% of all star fruit grown in the United States.2
  • Star fruit is indigenous to Asia and has been grown in Florida for more than 100 years.2
  • Star fruit comes in both sweet and tart varieties.1
  • The entire fruit is edible and can be eaten fresh, pickled, broiled, or juiced.1, 3
  • It is high in vitamin C and is a source of fiber and folate.3
  • Select fruits that are bright yellow and firm—a little green or brown is okay.3

  1. Anne Cooper, Sandra Poirier, Mildred Murphy, Mary Jo Oswald, Chris Procise, Amy Simonne, and Linda Bobroff, South Florida Tropicals: Carambola, FCS8520, Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, 2013, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/he613
  2. Mark A. Mossler and Jonathan Crane, Florida Crop/Pest Management Profile: Carambola, CIR1416, Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, 2013, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi056
  3. “Carambola,” Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, n.d., http://www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Food-Nutrition-and-Wellness/Living-Healthy-in-Florida/Healthy-Learning/All-About-Florida-Products/Carambola

Photo credits: PauloVilela/iStock/Thinkstock

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Posted: February 1, 2016


Category: Crops, SFYL Hot Topic
Tags: Eat Local, Star Fruit, Sustainable Hot Topic, Tropical Fruits


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