Star fruit is quite a popular choice in Asia due to its color and star-like shape, but what does it taste like? If you don’t know, then give this article a quick read.
Star fruit tastes sweet and tangy, like ripe pears, green grapes, and oranges. Star fruits have a firm, juicy interior, and a crisp, crunchy exterior.
Star fruit can be consumed raw or in the form of juice, pickles, and salads. It is also perfect for chilled beverages. It can work in both savory and sweet recipes.
Are you too intrigued to learn more about star fruit? We will discuss star fruit, its taste, uses, health benefits, and more. Keep scrolling down if you are curious to learn more about star fruit!
What Is Star Fruit?
Carambola, or star fruit, is popular in tropical areas like India, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Its name, “Star Fruit,” refers to how its piece looks like a star.
It is a fruit of yellow and green color. It is of two types; one is a smaller, sour variety and a larger, sweeter one.
Star fruit tastes best when eaten in late autumn or early winter. It enhances a range of dishes with its sweet and sour flavor. You can cook it in a lot of tasty and unique ways.
The taste of star fruit is the primary factor, and let’s know what it tastes like.
What Does Star Fruit Taste Like?
The taste of star fruit is the reason for its increasing demand in global markets. With its unique appearance, it has a great taste and texture.
Star fruit has a crisp, juicy, grainy texture and a sweet and sour flavor. It tastes like citrus fruits, like lemons or oranges.
Its outer skin is edible, crunchy, and crispy in nature, whereas its inside is white or yellow and contains tiny, black seeds.
These black seeds are edible but have a bitter taste. Its taste changes according to which one you are having. If you have ripe star fruit, it tastes sweet with some tanginess, whereas unripe ones are excessively sour or bitter.
It is an excellent choice if you want to try something new. Either you will fall in love with it, or you won’t. There is no middle ground in this discussion.
Does Star Fruit Taste Good?
As I told you before, some people like it, some hate it. Some said it was sweet, and some said it was extremely bitter. But the question is, “How is it?”
The answer is that it tastes fantastic. It has a tart, citrusy flavor, almost like a mix between an apple, a pear, and a hint of lemon. It provides a blast of flavors when you’re eating it. You should try it once.
Is Star Fruit Supposed To Taste Bitter?
Some people complain after eating star fruit that it has a bitter taste. It is because they had unripe starfruit.
Unripe starfruit tastes sour and bitter. There is a difference between unripe and ripe ones. Unripe fruits appear dark green, whereas ripe star fruits appear bright yellow with a sweet and tart taste.
Next time, if you are buying starfruit, remember to take the ripe one that tastes amazing.
What Does Ripe Star Fruit Taste Like?
A perfectly ripe star fruit will have a bright yellow color with tinges of light green. You may also find dark brown along the five ridges. The flesh should feel firm to the touch, though juicy inside.
Its taste is sweet and sour, resembling pears, green grapes, and oranges.
You’ll know a star fruit is overripe if it turns entirely yellow and starts to have brown spots all over.
What Does Unripe Star Fruit Taste Like?
Unripe starfruit is bright green with a sour or bitter taste. It is firmer and tartar. You will find that the taste of starfruit is like kiwi fruit.
Different Types Of Star Fruit And Their Taste
There are two main types of carambolas: sweet and tart. Sweet fruit varieties are suggested for fresh fruit, while both sweet and acidic fruit varieties are beneficial for processing and home recipes.
| Use | Taste |
| Fresh Fruit | Sweet |
| Processing and Home Recipes | Tart |
How Can You Use Star Fruit?
Starfruit is so versatile and open to experimentation that you can add it to anything and everything. Some of the common ways you can add starfruit, like
- Slice it and consume it by itself.
- You can add it to salads or other fresh dishes.
- It is best to garnish your dishes.
- Use it in pies or puddings.
- It tastes best in stews and curries.
- Create some chutney, jam, or jelly by using starfruit.
- Make a beverage out of it by juicing it.
How To Store Starfruit The Right Way?
To increase starfruit shelf life, you simply need to store it somewhere cool or dry. Let’s dive in and learn how to keep it.
- In a Room Temperature – Starfruit should be kept in a cool, dark place with good airflow. At room temperature, ripe star fruit can live up to one week, whereas unripe ones can live up to two weeks.
- In a Refrigerator – A ripe star fruit will last for two weeks in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer, while an unripe one will last for four.
How Long Does Star Fruit Last?
Star fruit in the refrigerator lasts a little longer than in the pantry. However, the refrigeration process mainly preserves the taste of starfruit and does not stop it from going rancid.
Keep starfruit in a cool, dark area with good airflow. Unripe starfruit can survive up to two weeks at room temperature, while ripe ones can last up to one week.
A ripe star fruit will keep for two weeks; an unripe one will keep for four in the refrigerator. It is another way to extend the life of your star fruit.
How To Tell If Star Fruit Has Gone Bad?
By keeping an eye out for a few signs, you can determine whether your star fruit should be eaten or discarded.
1. Appearance
You can tell if the starfruit is worse by looking at it. If it has changed color or become very dark, don’t eat it because it is rancid.
2. Smell
If you don’t understand the appearance and cannot make a decision. Just check the smell.
If your star fruit smells unpleasant, it has been trashed and is no longer edible.
3. Taste
Sometimes, smell and appearance cannot indicate whether star fruits are good enough. You could taste the starfruit slightly if you have doubts.
Health Benefits Of Star Fruit
Starfruit is beneficial for health as it is an excellent source of several nutrients, especially fiber and vitamin C. The health benefits of star fruit are listed below.
- Immunity Boosting Ability – Your body will produce the ideal quantity of white blood cells for your system thanks to the vitamin C boost from star fruit.
- Aids Weight Loss – Star fruit boosts your metabolism and aids weight loss.
- Improved Heart Health – The high sodium and potassium content of star fruit functions as electrolytes in our bodies to maintain blood pressure.
Nutritional Content Of Star Fruit
Now that we have learned about starfruit’s health benefits. Let us look at its nutritional content.
| Nutritional Amount | |
| Fiber | 3 grams |
| Calories | 28 |
| Carbs | 6 grams |
| Protein | 1 gram |
| Vitamin C | 52% of the RDI |
Vitamin B5 | 4% of the RDI |
| Copper | 6% of the RDI |
| Potassium | 3% of the RDI |
| Folate | 3% of the RDI |
| Magnesium | 2% of the RDI |
We can tell that starfruit is healthy by looking at its nutrient content.
Conclusion
Starfruit is a versatile fruit with a great taste. It has excellent health benefits and can be stored easily.
Hence, if you haven’t tried star fruit yet, give it a try and let us know what you think about this fruit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you eat raw star fruit?
Yes, you can eat star fruit raw.
Does star fruit taste like pineapple?
No, star fruit and pineapple have distinct tastes. Star fruit is similar to ripe pears, green grapes, and oranges.
Does star fruit taste like bananas?
It tastes more like a blend of an apple, a pear, and a smidgen of lemon than anything else; it is tart and citrusy.
How do I eat star fruit?
Before cutting a star fruit into thin slices and enjoying it, remove any impurities by giving it a thorough rinse under running water.
