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
- 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
- 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
- “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
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