Varieties: Several, ranging from sweet to sour Fruit: length: 10-20 cm; diameter: 6-10cm; weight: 150-500gm Season: almost all year round Culinary uses: eaten as fresh fruit and in salads; a syrup; a pickle Other uses: medicinal; stain remover Scientific name: Averrhoa
Star fruit is a juicy tropical fruit that is grown throughout Southeast Asia. The fruit is green when unripe and vary from pale yellow to deep amber when ripe. It has four to six strongly pointed ridges that run from top to bottom, and the soft flesh is encased in a thin waxy, translucent skin (which is eaten together with the flesh). When the fruit is cut crosswise each slice is shaped like a star, hence its named, “star fruit.”
The fruit (which is mostly consumed fresh or as juice) is rich in vitamins A, C, iron, and high fiber content. The taste varies from sour to sweet, one way of distinguishing the sour variety from the sweeter ones is that the former has narrower ribs, while the latter have thicker, fleshy ones. Unripe star fruit is preserved in many parts of Southeast Asia and is used as a traditional remedy.
Health Benefits:
- May lower cholesterol levels and add bulk and moisture to feces. - A decoction of leaves and roots (prepared separately or in combination) can help cure headaches, ringworm, and chickenpox. - Able to cure hangovers and prickly heat. - It can be also used to treat sore eyes. - The fruit is is commonly believed to stimulate the flow of milk for the nursing mothers. - For sunstroke, a piece of the sweet variety is recommended. - For nausea and indigestion eat half piece of the fruit and repeat after 3 hours. - Its rich in vitamin C content can help ward off winter colds and flu. - It is recommended as diet fruit because of its high fiber and low calorie content. - It contain full of antioxidants and flavonoids.
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz):
Energy - 128 kJ (31 kcal) Carbohydrates - 6.73 g Sugars - 3.98 g Dietary fiber - 2.8 g Fat - 0.33 g Protein - 1.04 g Pantothenic acid (B5) - 0.39 mg (8%) Folate (Vit. B9) - 12 μg (3%) Vitamin C - 34.4 mg (57%) Phosphorus - 12 mg (2%) Potassium - 133 mg (3%) Zinc - 0.12 mg (1%)
Buying Tip: Look for shiny yellow star fruit that are without bruises and are not too soft. Ripe starfruit should be used as soon as possible.
May 3, 2010 12:10:00 PM