How to properly cut and peel a starfruit: 7 Guides

Starfruit is a tropical fruit grown in Thailand. Throughout Southeast Asia, South America, Australia, and Florida and Hawaii, you can easily find them at any market or grocery store around you. Starfruit is one of the best fruit options for you most, especially during winter, when they are readily available. It is also considered one of the best options because of its rich source of vitamin C, which boosts your immune system and is also great when trying to ward off winter cold and flu.

Starfruit is richly endowed with fibre and just about 30 calories per fruit. It is considered an excellent choice for anyone trying to lose weight. Starfruit is also very healthy. They are endowed with flavonoids and antioxidants.

How can you tell when a starfruit is ripe?

It is easy to tell when you see a ripe starfruit. This is because they appear to be mainly bright yellow with tinges if light green. They may also appear to have some dark brown along the five ridges. This is very normal. A ripe starfruit should have a flesh that is still quite firm when touched.

You can also purchase a star fruit when it is still green and then wait for it to ripen. Just leave it on your counter for a couple of days.

How to cut a starfruit

When overripe, star fruit tends to turn all yellow and then it starts to have brownish spots all over.

It is a delicious fruit that can be eaten fresh but tends to be more delicious when juiced or cooked. We can easily say that star fruit is one of the best fruits nature has given us.

(ii) Cut off the dark tip along each ridge

Rinse the star fruit, or better still wash it with your homemade fruit and vegetable wash.

Hold the star fruit over a cutting board or a countertop (note that star fruit should be held vertically) Use a sharp knife to cut very shallowly down along each of the ridges, removing and discarding the brown outer edge.

(iii) Cut off the stem end of the star fruit

The stem end of the star fruit is not needed. Turn the star fruit to the side, and you will notice the lot of the star fruit that looks like a peak and the other end that is flatter and has a dark spot. The latter is where the stem was attached. Cut it off and discard.

(iv) Slice the star fruit

At this point, your star fruit is ready to be sliced. Just like how you slice your apple, that is either thick or thin slices, cut your star fruit. Whether you choose to cut it thick or thin, you will love its outcome.

If you intend to cook with the star fruit, I advise you to reference the recipe for guidelines ehie thick or thin it should be sliced.

(v) Remove the seeds

With the use of the tip of your knife, carefully remove and discard any seed you find.

Star fruit seeds are more like apple seeds. The only difference is that they are slightly larger and flatter.

(vi) Enjoy your star fruit

Now that you have completed the formalities, your star fruit is now ready to be eaten fresh or added to desserts or fruit salads. The fruit tastes like heaven! It is endowed with tasty juice and is much more delicious when combined with pear juice. Star fruit also makes a tastier garnish for dishes as well as for cocktails. Make a slit on the side of a star fruit slice (preferably a small one) and slide it into the side of your glass.

Safety and side effects of star fruit

1. Star fruit can cause adverse effects on some people, due to its high oxalate content. Therefore, people with kidney conditions should stay away from star fruit and its juice. Or better still, consult your health provider before trying it.
2. For people with kidney problems, consuming star fruit regularly may lead to kidney damage. It could also lead to star fruit toxicity, leading to neurological problems such as seizures, confusion and sometimes death.
3. People on drug prescription should also be cautious with their star fruit intake. This is because star fruit can alter how a drug is broken down and used by the body. Put differently, and star fruit has the tendency to interfere with medications you take for other illnesses just like grapefruit, which is why if you are on prescription, you are to consult your health care provider.
4. Star fruit has a very high concentration of oxalic acid. Therefore I advise that you do not take it if you have a rena complaint. Scientists have also considered it an anti-nutrient compound that can interfere with the absorption and metabolism of several natural materials such as magnesium and calcium.

How to eat star fruit

Star fruit can be easily prepared for consumption. It can be used to prepare different dishes and desserts. You may feel reluctant to try star fruit if you do not know how to prepare it.

Here, I’ll be providing you with an effortless and straightforward way to prepare and eat star fruit:

a. You need first to make sure that your star fruit is ripe. A ripe star fruit should be yellow with only hints of green.

b. Rinse the fruit under running water.

c. Cut off the ends and discard.

d. Slice it thick or thin. Either way, it will turn out fine.

e. Remove the seeds and enjoy.

Star fruit can be added to your diet in many ways; some of these ways include:

a. Slice and eat it on its own.

b. Add it to salads or other fresh dishes to give it a more delicious taste.

c. Add it to Asian or Indian style stews and curries.

d. Cook it with shellfish dishes.

e. Use it as a garnish.

f. Prepare it with seafood dishes.

g. Juice it and drink it as a beverage.

h. Turn it into puddings or pies.

i. Make jelly, jam or chutney.

What does star fruit taste like?

There are two different types of star fruit. One is small and is very sour while the other is large and sweet. The little rotten star fruit doesn’t taste all that great when eaten raw. They are best to turn into preservatives. The large sweet ones are not overly sweet either. They have a cucumber-like crunchy and a kind of taste like a natural neutral grape. They are also very juicy. The taste of a carambola fruit is minimal, and not all that pronounced like every other fruit.

Health benefits of star fruit

1. Star fruit can be used as a home remedy for hangovers as well as sunburns. Not only that, but it also helps to cure fever as well as sore throats, ulcers and even cough. In addition to that, the fruit also helps in fighting and even preventing diabetes. The leaves of star fruit can treat pus-filled skin inflammation, boils and even stomach ulcers. It also can improve digestion. The flowers of star fruit are very vital, and it aids the treatment of cough in children.
2. According to research, star fruit is said to contain antimicrobial agents which helps to fight microbial Bacillus cereus, salmonella typhus. Star fruit has also proven very effective in curing eczema.
3. Star fruit contains just about 30 calories per fruit. It is also endowed with lots of fibre. It can be used as a food supplement for weight loss. It contains roughly about 2.5g of dietary fibre as well as 9.5g carbohydrate. Star fruit also tends to provide 3% of the daily requirement for carbohydrates and 10% of dietary fibre’s daily need. The fruit is also said to be rich in flavonoids and antioxidants.
4. Star fruit is also a great source of vitamin A, B, and C. These vitamins help keep the body’s metabolism steady and robust. It also has a minimal concentration of riboflavin, thiamine, and niacin. In addition to that, star fruit is also a great source of folic acid, otherwise known as vitamin B9, which reduces the risk of stroke and heart disease. It is also rich in vitamin B5 and vitamin C.
5. Star fruit also contains some amount of all essential minerals. It is rich in copper. Plus it lowers cholesterol levels and also adds moisture to faeces.
6. Star fruit has also proven very effective in treating sore eyes. You are to eat food rich in vitamin B6 together with star fruit of you looking up to the magnesium content in your diet.
7. Star fruit has proven useful for the prevention of obesity. The peel of the star fruit is richly endowed with dietary fibre, which helps prevent the absorption of LDL cholesterol in the intestinal lining, thereby reducing obesity. It also helps keep the colon and gut healthy while getting rid of infections and other toxic substances.
8. Star fruit is given to lactating mothers as it is said to stimulate milk flow. Making a concoction from its leaves and roots can help to cure ringworm, chickenpox and headaches. Aside from that, it is said to be very useful for the cure of indigestion and nausea. Eat half a piece of the fruit and repeat the dose after 3 hours.

Benefits of star fruit for hair

1. Star fruit can allow other nutrients that are good for the body and hair to circulate freely. It is an excellent cure for hair loss since it is endowed with vitamin C and powerful antioxidants, which can delay the natural ageing process.
2. Star fruit contains B-complex vitamin, which is essential for hair growth. It also helps in keeping hair healthy and strong.

Benefits of star fruit for skin

1. Consume a star fruit or use it directly on acne-prone skin or oily skin as a face mask, it is beneficial to your skin both ways.
2. Star fruit also helps in purifying the blood, thereby making the skin glow.
3. Star fruit contains zinc which helps to reduce the tendency of m acne breakouts. It is highly recommended for people of all ages as it has antimicrobial effects.

How to prepare star fruit juice

To prepare star fruit juice, you will need to get some raw star fruit and a blender or a juicer.

If you are using a blender, you will need to strain the juice before serving it.

If you decide to use a juicer, you can enjoy the pure juice coming out of the juicer

Recipe:

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: Indian, Caribbean, Thai

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total time: 5 minutes

Yields: 2 servings

Ingredients:

1. 4-star fruits
2. 1 ½ cup water
3. Sugar to taste (optional)
4. Ice Cubes

You can get your ingredients from any local market or grocery store around you.

Instructions for making star fruit juice with a blender:

1. Wash your star-fruits thoroughly to get rid of any dirt on the skin.
2. Cut the fruit into chunks.
3. Place the fruit chunks with the water and sugar into the blender jar and blend till it becomes smooth.
4. Strain through a fine sieve before pouring into glasses with some ice cubes.
5. Serve cold.

Instructions for making star fruit juice with a juicer:

1. Wash your star-fruits thoroughly to get rid of any dirt on the skin.
2. Cut the fruit into chunks.
3. Press the fruit chunks through the juicer and collect the juice on the other side.
4. Mix with sugar (preferably powdered sugar) water and ice cubes in a glass.
5. Serve cold