This fruit acquired its name from the five pointed star shape when cut across the middle, it forms a perfect star.
The entire fruit is edible, including the slightly waxy skin. The flesh is crunchy, firm, and extremely juicy. Starfruit otherwise known as carambola is a small European plant with tiny white flowers and six-pointed star-shaped fruit, found in or close to shallow fresh waters.
The flesh is juicy and crunchy, and they can be eaten, seeds are used as a garnish in salads, relishes and preserves.
It spread throughout Asia and has been cultivated there for centuries. It is commonly grown in southern China, India, and the Philippines. The fruit is relatively new to North and South America.
It was first introduced to Florida in 1887 but is viewed as a decorative fruit and has not been planted on a wide scale. Star fruit was introduced to the Caribbean islands, Central America, South America, and Hawaii in 1935.
In recent times, star fruit is widely grown and consumed in Asia. The fruit is growing in popularity in the United States. To meet this increasing need, the fruit is now commercially grown in Florida, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.
Many benefits can be obtained from the star fruit.
High fiber content makes star fruit useful to improve digestion. Star fruit contains insoluble dietary fiber. Insoluble dietary fiber plays an important role in keeping the digestive system and lowers blood cholesterol.
High levels of potassium and low sodium is also suitable as a hypertension drug.
Star fruit contains pectin that is able to bind cholesterol and bile acids contained performance intestines and helps expenditures. In addition, this fruit can also reduce levels of bad cholesterol in the body.
As a source of vitamins, especially vitamin A and vitamin C, star fruit is effective as an antioxidant in the fight against free radicals like smoke. The fruit is also able to help prevent the spread of cancer cells, increase endurance and prevent canker sores.
An extraction of the leaves and roots (prepared separately or in combination) can help to cure headaches, ringworm, and chickenpox.
The fruit is known to cure hangovers and prickly heat. You can also use the pickled fruit for hangovers just take one piece of the pickled fruit, steam in water and serve.
The waxy fruit is given to nursing mothers as it is commonly believed to stimulate the flow of milk.
Starfruit is low in calorie and also contains riboflavin and vitamin B6, the juice of this fruit can be used as an expectorant for coughs. So, it is of great importance that we consume fruits daily, a way to a healthy life!