Fruit carambola: useful properties and contraindications

Exotic fruits attract European consumers with their appearance, taste and unforgettable flavors. One of the brightest representatives of the fruit kingdom of southeast Asia - carambola. Its unusual shape, rich color and appetizing aroma cannot help but attract attention. When you try Starfruit for the first time, gourmands are delighted by this unusual combination of flavors. But not only by its appearance and taste this fruit is valuable, it contains a number of vitamins, amino acids, valuable to the body. The useful properties of the "star apple" are used in folk medicine, cosmetology and cooking.

What is a carambola and what does it look like?

The star fruit is the fruit of a small tree, 3 to 5 meters high, growing in countries with tropical and subtropical climates. The plant belongs to the Oxalidaceae family (acidic).

In the wild, the exotic tree grows in parts of Sri Lanka, Malaysia, the Philippines and India. Tree cultivation has contributed to the acclimatization of the plant, so it is now grown in Australia, Israel, some countries of South America and West Africa. But Malaysia remains the leader in yields and sales. From there, it is shipped to Europe and Asia. On Russian shelves starfruit appeared at the end of the last century. The main suppliers are Israel, Thailand and Brazil.

In nature there are several varieties of this fruit. Malaysians prefer small green fruits. Their taste is quite sour and has a certain similarity to gooseberries, plums, and grapes.

A more common variety, supplied to most European countries, is an amber-yellow ellipsoidal fruit with pronounced ribbed protrusions (5 to 10 cm high). Its appearance somewhat resembles that of an airship. The skin of the carambola is thin and edible. The naturally ripened fruit has translucent flesh. Its color varies from lemon to yellow. Inside the "star apple" are brown seeds (up to 10 pieces). The taste is a complex bouquet, combining pineapple, apple, and citrus notes. Carambola is very juicy and has a pleasant aroma. All of its shades are revealed if the fruit is slightly boiled (until soft) in a sweet syrup.

Especially unusual and beautiful is the fruit in the cut. A natural five-pointed star serves as a great decoration for cold dishes and desserts.

Composition and calories

The star fruit not only has a spicy, unusual taste, but also a high percentage of vitamins, amino acids, micro- and macronutrients.

The chemical composition of the fresh fruit (per 100 grams)

• Potassium 133.0
• phosphorus 12.0
• Magnesium 10.0
• Calcium - 3.0
• Sodium - 2.0
• Zinc - 0.12
• Copper - 0.137
• Iron - 0.08
• Manganese - 0.037
• Selenium - 0,0006

Vitamins (mg)

• A - 66,0
• C - 54,4
• B9 (folate) - 12,0
• B4 (choline) - 7,6
• E - 0,15
• B3 (niacin) - 0.37
• B5 (pantothenic acid) - 0.391
• B1 (thiamine) - 0.014
• B2 (riboflavin) - 0.016
• B6 - 00,017

There are organic and inorganic compounds in the composition of carambola. Oxalic acid accounts for the largest amount. The leaves of the plant have a high content of glutamic acid.

The fruit consists of almost 90% water, so it is a low-calorie product. Nutritional value is 30 kcal. In 100 g contains 6.5 g of carbohydrates, 1 g of protein, 0.3 g of fat (polyunsaturated and monounsaturated), 2.85 g of dietary fiber.

Useful properties of the fruit of carambola

General benefits

The rich chemical composition endows the tropical fruit with a number of useful properties:

1. A large amount of vitamin C improves the immune system and increases the body's resistance to viral diseases.
2. Phenolic compounds increase antioxidant activity. Thanks to this, toxins and impurities are eliminated more quickly, and the body is cleaned of harmful substances.
3. Insoluble fiber in the fruit slows the absorption of carbohydrates, thereby facilitating intestinal function and reducing the risk of high blood sugar levels. Fibers combined with vitamins A, B improve the function of the circulatory system, prevent the appearance of plaques on the walls of blood vessels, reduce cholesterol levels. A greater effect is achieved if the juice of carambola is used to make smoothies.
4. Beneficial effect of using the star fruit on the nervous system. Thanks to thiamine relieves nervous tension, especially in people prone to irritability attacks and subjected to frequent stress.
5. Riboflavin has a positive effect on the structure of the nails and hair.
6. Vitamin B5 has a preventive and analgesic effect in colitis, arthritis, arthrosis.

The use of carambola has a positive effect on the body, regardless of gender or age category.

For women.

Quercetin, epicatechin and gallic acid rid the female body of free radicals. This process has a beneficial effect on the internal organs, the condition of the skin.

Indian women use a decoction of carambola as a means of stopping bleeding. This drink helps with profuse menstrual discharge, helping to normalize them and eliminating pain.

The leaves of the plant also have beneficial properties for the female body. Masks with their addition help to relieve skin irritation and remove redness. The juice of the fruit is used to prepare lotions for oily skin. They effectively remove unnecessary shine and prevent the appearance of pimples and acne.

In Brazil, the leaves of the star apple tree are used to relieve headaches: they are simply applied to the temples and forehead.

For Men

Scientists have conducted quite a few studies, which revealed the positive properties of the star tropical fruit for men's health. A few slices of the fruit can eliminate the effects of toxic poisoning. Juice from carambola is an excellent remedy for the relief of hangover syndrome.

Thanks to its rich content of vitamins and amino acids, the star apple helps to activate the production of collagen, reduces the risk of prostatitis and normalizes blood pressure.

The composition of the fruit contains almost no sugar, so it is recommended for men who suffer from diabetes.

When pregnant

The exotic fruit helps to replenish the vitamin supply of a pregnant woman, having a strengthening effect on the body of the future mother and the intrauterine development of the baby. Quite a high percentage of thiamine in combination with the vitamin complex reduces attacks of tearfulness, irritability, nervousness typical of pregnant women. Ascorbic acid increases the body's defenses, creating a barrier to colds and viral diseases. Future mothers often experience a lack of folic acid, and the fetus is a great natural source of this element.

When breastfeeding

After the birth of a child, if the mother has no contraindications, the use of carambola will help the fastest recovery of the body after childbirth, saturating it with vitamins, minerals. Useful substances get with the mother's milk and into the baby's body, having a strengthening, anti-inflammatory effect. Calcium, magnesium, potassium give strength to baby's bone tissue. Vitamins A, B contribute to the normal development of visual organs, cardiovascular system.

Juicy fruit has another important quality for the nursing mother, it improves the function of the mammary glands, increasing lactation.

For kids

Growing children's body is constantly experiencing a lack of vitamins. The property of carambola to retain iodine in the body stabilizes the thyroid gland, subsequently preventing the risk of a number of diseases. The juice of the exotic star helps faster absorption of calcium. In addition, the use of this fruit improves mood and reduces fatigue.

Juicy and fragrant fruit is considered an excellent way to quench thirst in the hot season. Its antioxidant effect helps to get rid of harmful substances in children's bodies, so it is recommended to introduce it to the diet of children living in megapolises and areas with bad ecology.

Dried star fruit slices are not only tasty, but also useful for kids with poor appetite.

When losing weight

Although carambola is rarely found on diet menus, it is quite useful for people looking to lose excess weight. The fruit quickly quenches thirst while exercising, while preventing fluid accumulation in the body.

Diets weaken the immune system, but the star fruit contains a large amount of vitamin C. It increases resistance to viral and colds. Vitamins B, A, E prevent skin problems, hair problems and splitting of the nail plate.

The ability of the fruit to improve digestion prevents fat deposits and accelerates the process of digestion. And the laxative effect of using the fruit normalizes bowel function, making it easier to lose weight.

Harms and contraindications

The main threat when using exotic fruits is food allergies. Carambola is no exception, so allergy sufferers are better to introduce it to the diet in small doses or to refuse altogether.

The high content of oxalic acid also has a negative impact on the body, so people with peptic ulcer and duodenal disease, colitis, kidney failure should not abuse this fruit. Increased acidity in the body in such diseases can provoke attacks and lead to a violation of the alkaline balance.

The use of more than 3 fruits per day is not recommended to Europeans whose bodies are not accustomed to the exotic fruit. Exceeding the allowable norm is usually accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea and weakness.

How to Choose and Store

European buyers are quite difficult to determine the maturity of an exotic fruit. After all, not everyone has been to the native land of the carambola, so they do not know the distinguishing characteristics of a ripe fruit from a green one. A little knowledge of the nuances of choice will help you avoid mistakes and enjoy the amazing taste of ripe fruit.

The characteristics of a ripe star apple are as follows:

1. A smooth peel, with no visible dents or bumps. Brownish streaks on the ribbed areas are direct evidence that the fruit is ripe on the tree and has not been picked when green.
2. In the hands, the carambola is quite firm, not soft.
3. The color can be a pronounced yellow or with a golden hue.
4. The smell of the ripe fruit resembles the light aroma of jasmine.
5. The thickness of the ribs indicates fleshiness and juiciness: the more the better.

The size of the fruit does not affect its maturity or taste. It depends on the growing conditions in which the fruit was grown.

On the shelves of hypermarkets and markets in Russia, most carambola fruits are sold unripe. Taking into account the long delivery time, to avoid product spoilage the fruits are plucked while they are still green. If you buy such a "tropical star", you can put it in the sun to ripen. After a few days, the fruit will turn bright yellow and be ready to eat.

Green fruits of the exotic fruit are stored in the refrigerator up to 20 days, ripe - up to 4. In a cool place can last no more than 7 days. If the term is extended, the fruit begins to spoil: there is not a very pleasant smell, the skin becomes soft, the taste changes.

For longer storage, the fruit can be dried, cooked in jam, caramelized. Freezing is not recommended!

Using the fruit in cooking

Each state has its own traditional dishes. In countries where trees with carambola fruits are not rare exotic plants and grow in large quantities, this fruit is used in the preparation of various dishes.

Chinese chefs prefer to add carambola to fish dishes. Quite often the ripe fruit is boiled in syrup and canned.

A rather simple to prepare but unusual taste snack is prepared in Thailand. It's called PrekKaabkleua, a portioned fruit sprinkled with a mixture of sugar, chili peppers, and salt.

To make spicy Jamaican sauces, local cooks use dried starlets of carambola, combining them with vinegar, celery, herbs and spicy spices. Locals use not only the fruit, but also the leaves and flowers of the trees. They are especially good for canning.

Unripe fruits or varieties of green carambola are used to make jams and jellies. But because of the lack of pectin in this fruit, papaya, lime juice is added to the dish.

Malaysians love to make desserts. The fruit stewed with cloves and sugar is considered a great filling for pies. This sweet and sour mixture is also used to make vegetable side dishes.

In cooking, the star fruit is used not only as one of the ingredients, but serves as a great decoration for salads, ice cream, and cocktails.

In European cuisine, carambola is also used as a component of some dishes.

Second courses

Chicken with fruit-vegetable sauce
Ingredients:

• 2 tomatoes;
• 1 carrot;
• 1 onion;
• 3 garlic cloves;
• 850 gr. chicken filet;
• 100 g olive oil;
• 1 carambola;
• bay leaf, chicken spices (to taste);
• 30 g of butter;
• celery;
• Chechil cheese;
• broth.

Cooking steps:

1. Cut the fillet into small pieces. You can lightly beat it up. Salt and season with spices.
2. Fry chicken fillets in butter until golden brown. Pour the broth into the pan and simmer for about 20 minutes.
3. Remove the chicken and wrap each piece in cheese.
4. Chop garlic and place in a skillet with heated olive oil. Fry briefly.
5. Free the tomatoes from their skins by steeping them in boiling water. Chop onion, celery, and carrot. Put vegetables in pan with garlic. Braise for 10 minutes and add bay leaf. Leave the vegetable mixture on the stove for another 15-20 minutes.
6. Place the chicken on a baking tray. Pour over the seasoning and vegetable mixture. Place in the oven for ¼ hour at 180°C.

Before serving, decorate the dish with herbs and starlets of carambola.

Thai-style baked fish with carambola
For this dish you can cook any fish from the sea. Flounder or sea tongue are very good.

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup rice (steamed);
• carambola;
• 600 g of flounder fillets;
• 250 g each of broccoli, cauliflower;
• 150 g sharp cheese (cheddar);
• chicken broth;
• seasoning for fish;
• 50 g of butter;
• lemon juice.

Preparation:

1. Boil the rice.
2. Wash fish fillet, sprinkle seasoning and salt. Leave to marinate for 20 minutes.
3. Cut broccoli and cauliflower into florets. Cut up carambole. Grate cheese. Mix everything and add to the rice.
4. Pour the chicken broth (if there is no ready, you can use pressed cube dissolved in boiling water).
5. Put the rice mixture into a deep baking tray with a few pieces of butter in the bottom.
6. Put the fish on top. Bake at 200°C for no more than 30 minutes.

When ready decorate the dish with dill and pour lemon juice on it.

Pork roulade with an apple star
Ingredients of the dish:

• 600 g of pork pulp;
• 1.5 tsp. sweet ground paprika;
• 150 gr. bacon;
• salt to taste;
• 2 fruit of carambola;
• 2 tsp. ginger root (grated);
• 4 garlic cloves.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Make mince from the meat, using a fine nozzle.
2. Peel garlic and ginger and grate on a medium grater. Mix with the minced meat. Sprinkle with paprika and salt.
3. Wash the carambole. Dry it with a napkin. Cut off small pieces at both ends.
4. Put the filling between the ribs of the carambole and then wrap it around the whole fruit. Shape it into a sausage stick.
5. Place ½ of the ham (overlapping each other), cut into thin slices, on the clingfilm. Place minced sausage on top. Cover with remaining ham. Wrap the resulting product completely in foil and tighten several times with a tourniquet.
6. Put the roll in boiling water. Cook for at least 30 minutes. After the cooking time is up, carefully take it out. Remove the braid and film. Put the roll on a baking tray or pan greased with butter/olive oil and put it in the oven. The recommended temperature is 180-200°C, time - 25 minutes.

Serve cooled and sliced into portions.

Officers" liver snack
Ingredients:

• 400 g of chicken liver;
• 3 tbsp. flour;
• 1.5 tbsp. rice mix;
• 2 tbsp. of starch;
• 1 egg;
• 50 ml of vegetable oil (refined);
• 300 ml of milk;
• herbs (dill, parsley);
• sugar to taste;
• 2 tbsp. canned corn;
• black pepper (ground);
• 120g butter;
• 600 ml of chicken broth;
• onions;
• raisins;
• carambola.

Step-by-step preparation:

1. Bake pancakes: mix milk, sugar, salt, eggs, flour and starch, add 1 tbsp of vegetable oil. Bake on a hot pan.
2. Wash the liver, remove the veins. Slice prepared liver and onion. Fry in a deep pan for 5-7 minutes.
3. Soak rice in water for 10 minutes. Once the time is up, put it in the pan with the liver. Add raisins to the rest. Mix everything and pour in chicken broth. Add salt, pepper and sugar.
4. Take a deep (preferably) baking dish. Grease the bottom and edges with butter and cover the pancakes. They should overlap, leaving gaps is not desirable. Place the last pancakes so that they hang over the edges.
5. In the ready mixture of rice and liver pour corn and chopped greens. Put the mass into the form. Cover the top with dangling pancakes.
6. Bake the appetizer at 160-180°C for about 20 minutes.

When cooled, decorate the top and sides with sprigs of dill and stars of carambola.

Salads

Spicy Peking cabbage salad
Components:

• orange;
• almonds
• carambola;
• Peking cabbage;
• nectarine;
• soy sauce;
• sesame oil.

Preparation:

1. Wash all vegetables and fruits. Cut nectarines and oranges into small square pieces.
2. Cut carambola stars in half. Shred the cabbage. Chop nuts.
3. Put all the ingredients in a salad bowl. Season with soy sauce and oil and mix.

Vitamin salad is ready to eat.

Tuna with carambola and avocado
Ingredients:

• A can of canned tuna;
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice;
• 2 eggs;
• avocado;
• 150 gr. feta cheese;
• tomato;
• carambola;
• mayonnaise.

Method of preparation:

1. Boil the eggs. Cut, salt and season with mayonnaise.
2. Take the fish out of the can and shred with a fork. Mix the tuna with the cheese slices.
3. Peel and chop the avocado. Mix with ½ of the chopped carambola fruit. Drizzle with lemon juice.

Arrange salad in layers: fruit, eggs, tuna. Slice the tomato and the remaining star fruit and decorate the dish.

Dietary vitamin salad with the addition of "star apple"
Components:

• A bunch of blue lettuce leaves;
• 10 ml of balsamic vinegar;
• 20 g mint (fresh);
• 4 tbsp linseed oil;
• 2 carambola fruits.

Preparation:

1. Arrange stars on lettuce leaves.
2. Pour the vinegar and oil.
3. Sprinkle with finely chopped mint.

Desserts

Tropical Thai.
Ingredients:

• 1 mango;
• 100g almonds;
• 3 oranges;
• 50 g sugar;
• 2 carambola fruits;
• raspberries.

Preparation:

1. Pour the sugar with water and put on the stove.
2. In the syrup add peeled orange and mango. Boil it for a bit.
3. Cut the carambole into stars and put them in a cremant.
4. Pour over the cooled syrup and garnish with crushed almonds and raspberries.

Exotic "star" cake
Ingredients:

• 1 chicken egg;
• carambola;
• 150g butter;
• 2 tbsp flower honey;
• 500 g of wheat flour;
• 130 g of natural yogurt;
• salt;
• 0.5 tsp. baking soda;
• vinegar;
• 150g sugar.

Preparation:

1. Mix the flour with salt, 100 g of butter, egg and yogurt. Add baking soda dipped in vinegar. Knead the dough well. Form into a ball, wrap in clingfilm and leave in the fridge for 40 minutes.
2. Melt the remaining butter in a pan. Add the sugar and honey and fry, stirring occasionally, until the sweet ingredients become a liquid caramel.
3. Take a baking dish, pour the caramel on the bottom and place the carambole stars.
4. Roll out the dough, place the caramel on top and tuck the edges well.

Leave the cake in the oven for no more than 30 minutes at 200°C.

Cake (no baking)
To make a delicious cottage cheese dessert with the tangy flavor imparted by the star apple, you will need:

• 0.5 kg of medium-fat cottage cheese;
• 4 tbsp milk;
• 100 g of sugar;
• 1-2 packs of gelatin;
• 5 tbsp. sour cream;
• carambola;
• fruit jelly with strawberry flavor;
• Cookie cookies of any shape.

Method of preparation:

1. Mix cottage cheese with milk and sour cream. Pour sugar and whisk until smooth.
2. Pour gelatin with water, using the recommendations on the package.
3. Pour swollen gelatin into the curd mass. Stir.
4. Cover the cake tin with clingfilm and pour out the mixture. Decorate with cookies. Put into the fridge for 30-40 minutes.
5. Prepare fruit jelly.
6. Cut up carambola and decorate the cake with the stars. Cover with jelly.

The dessert will be ready in 6 hours. It is better to make in the evening and put it in the fridge overnight.

"Exotic boat."
Components:

• 1 whole pineapple;
• 5 strawberries;
• 2 kiwis;
• 1 fruit of carambola;
• pastry cream.

Preparation:

1. Remove the tail of the pineapple and cut it in half. Cut out the core and chop, being careful not to make the pieces too small.
2. Wash and towel-dry the rest of the fruit and chop it.
3. Put all the ingredients in a pineapple and pour the cream on top.

Top with grated chocolate.

Alcoholic cocktail Hula -Hula.

Ingredients:

• 30 ml of dark rum;
• 40 ml of carambola juice;
• 40 ml of passion fruit juice;
• 30 ml of light rum;
• 20 ml of sugar syrup;
• kiwi.

Preparation:

1. Place two kinds of rum, fruit fresh juices and sugar syrup in a shaker.
2. Shake and pour into glasses. Garnish edge with kiwi slices.

How to eat carambola properly

The exotic fruit is completely edible. There is no need to peel it. Before eating the carambola should be well washed. Then cut lengthwise into thin strips. The result is star-shaped slices. This shape is what gave it its name.

If the ribbed part of the carambola has strong brown stripes or they are quite thick, you can carefully cut them off with a knife.

The fruit, which will be used as a decoration of prepared dishes, cocktails or desserts, should preferably be cleaned of seeds.

Interesting facts

1. The Latin name for the star apple, Averrhoa carambola, comes from the Muslim healer and philosopher Averrhoës, who lived in the 12th century.
2. The word "carambola" has Portuguese roots. The fruit was first called that in 1598.
3. The juice of the star fruit is used not only in cooking, medicine and cosmetology, but also in everyday life. It is excellent for dealing with stains on clothes.
4. A set of acids contained in the fresh fruit contributes to the natural whitening of tooth enamel. And for dentures, freshly squeezed juice is used by placing and soaking them in the liquid for several hours.
5. Roasted carambolic stars in butter have an unmatched taste and will satisfy even the most fastidious gourmet.
6. The first English travelers who tasted the fruit called the fruit a cucumber tree or a "Crimean gooseberry.
7. Florida has a special dwarf variety of the tree that can be grown at home on a windowsill. The plant bears fruit if kept in favorable conditions. It does not like a lot of light, but prefers abundant watering.
8. One of the non-standard ways to use the star apple is to clean metal products from rust. The pulp and juice of the fruit does this task quite well.
9. The star fruit has several names. "Balimng" is the name of the carambola in the East. The people of Ceylon call it "kamaranga," while the Vietnamese simply call it "khe ta. In China, the plant's name is "Yang Tao," and in Laos it is "NakHuang."

Photo of the carambola