Star Fruit (Averrhoa Carambola)

Star Fruit (Scientific - Averrhoa Carambola | Sin - කාමරංගා)  is a small but fast growing, much-branched, evergreen tree usually growing 3 - 5 metres tall but sometimes reaching a height of 10 metres. The short bole can be 15cm in diameter. A multipurpose tree providing a very popular fruit as well as having a range of medicinal and other uses. It is often cultivated for its fruit, but mainly in gardens, and is generally only sold in local markets because the fruit is extremely perishable and therefore difficult to get to more distant market.The plant is also often grown as an ornamental.

The fruit is crisp and juicy with a waxy yellow skin when ripe the best forms are delicious on their own, they also go very well in fruit salads, juiced and mixed with other fruits etc. The fruit flavour is enhanced by peeling off the ‘wing’ edges, which removes most of the oxalic acid. A quince-like fragrance. Starfruit is used as home remedy for hangovers and sunburns. Starfruit also helps to cure cough, fever, ulcers and sore throats. The leaves of star fruit can be used to treat stomach ulcers and also improves digestion.

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