Starfruit - whats it taste like, and how do you know when its ripe?!
Starfruit - whats it taste like, and how do you know when its ripe?
purchased one at a farmers market in cleveland. i know they dont grow around here so you dont see them in the grocers. was curious so i picked one up. thanks
Answers:
I have a starfruit (also called Carambola) in the front yard. The fruit, which ripens right around Christmas in south Florida, has different flavors depending on degree of ripeness. When green with just hints of yellow, the fruit is very tangy, while sweet, like sweet tarts. It is considered fully ripe when it is completely yellow, at which stage it tastes like a combination of cantaloupe and strawberries. Eventually it develops streaks of red, at which point it is too ripe for commercial harvest but tastes it's best. I would describe the flavor at that point as similar to a very ripe peach, but once again with that hint of strawberry flaror.
To eat it, slice across the star shape. It is not necessary to peel, and makes a great garnish on a salad or a meat dish.
Careful though if you have kidney problems or gout. The high oxalic acid content is painful or even deadly to gout sufferers.
They are slighlty tangy and sweet, and very yummy.
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watery and like watermelon without the sweetness. i use them for garnish. or poach them whole in a sugar syrup with ginger added for 6 minutes them cool and serve with ice cream and manderin salad