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Carambola
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Carambola or Starfruit is the fruit of Averrhoa carambola, a species of tree native to Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka. The tree and fruit is popular throughout Southeast Asia, Malaysia and parts of East Asia. It is also grown throughout the tropics such as in Trinidad and in the United States, in south Florida, most parts of Brazil and Hawaii.
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Carambola or Starfruit is the fruit of Averrhoa carambola, a species of tree native to Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka. The tree and fruit is popular throughout Southeast Asia, Malaysia and parts of East Asia. It is also grown throughout the tropics such as in Trinidad and in the United States, in south Florida, most parts of Brazil and Hawaii. It is closely related to the bilimbi. The star shaped cross section gives the carambola its other common name, Star fruit.
Origins and distribution
The Carambola or Star fruit have been grown in parts of Asia for hundreds of years – some claim that it originated in Sri Lanka and Moluccas. Malaysia is the global leader in starfruit production by volume, and ships the product all over Asia and Europe.
Due to concerns on pests and pathogens, however, whole starfruits cannot yet be imported to the US from Malaysia, under current FDA/USDA regulation. In the USA, starfruits are grown in Florida, Puerto Rico, Thai Land, Hawaii, and other tropical and subtropical places.
Method of consumption
It's best to consume a Carambola when ripe. An unripe fruit will appear green, while a ripe Carambola will display colors of bright yellow with a light shade of green. It will also have brown ridges at the five edges and feel firm. An overripe fruit will be yellow with brown spots.
The fruit is entirely edible, including the slightly waxy skin.
Health benefits
Starfruit is one of the "superfruits" – it is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, and low in sugar, sodium and acid. It is sweet without being overwhelming and extremely juicy. The taste is difficult to compare, but it has been likened to a mix of papaya, orange and grapefruit all at once. Starfruit is a potent source of both primary and secondary polyphenolic antioxidants. Studies have shown that primary antioxidants can help prevent the damage of free radicals and that secondary antioxidants can help reverse the damage that already exists in our systems. Vitamin C is an essential ingredient in a strong immune system and general wellbeing.
Health risks
Carambola is a fairly complex fruit with many benefits like strawberries, but a small percent of the human population should be cautious of the fruit for health reasons.
Starfruit, like the grapefruit, contains oxalic acid which can be harmful to individuals suffering from kidney failure. Consumption by those with kidney failure can produce hiccups, vomiting, nausea, and mental confusion, and fatal outcomes have been documented in some patients.
Drug interactions
Like the grapefruit, star fruit is considered to be a potent inhibitor of seven cytochrome P450 isoforms. These enzymes are significant in the first pass elimination of many medicines, and thus the consumption of star fruit or its juice in combination with certain medications can significantly increase their effective dosage within the body. Research into grapefruit juice has identified a number of common medications affected, including statins which are commonly used to treat cardiovascular illness, benzodiazepines (a tranquilizer family including diazepam) as well as other medicines..
Cultivation
The carambola, or star fruit, is a tropical and subtropical fruit and in India it grows in up to 4,000 feet in elevation. It prefers a total exposition to the sun, but it requires enough humidity and a total of 70 inches or more of rainfall a year. It does not have a preference in grounds but it requires a good drainage.
The carambolas are planted, at least, 20 feet from each other, it is fertilized three times a year. It grows fast and and produces food at 4 or 5 years of age, sometimes even before that. The large amount of rains during spring actually reduces the amount of fruit, but in ideal conditions it can produce from 200 to 400 lbs. of fruits a year. The fruit is cultivated during the months of June, July, and August, but sometimes all year.
Plagues
The fruit flies, a type of insect, and ants are able to attack this fruit. A disease, caused by some kind of fungus, makes up a large problem in some places. The birds are also able to attack these fruits, and in a lot of occasions, the fruits are covered with holes, which may also contain diseases.
In Popular Culture
Video Game Designer Tetsuya Nomura based the Paopu Fruit in Kingdom Hearts off the Carambola.
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