Carambola facts

s m

8 years ago

Star fruit is served as a fresh beverage in Brazil, or served as an industrialized juice throughout the world. The tree is short-trunked, slow-growing with a much-branched, broad, bushy, rounded crown. It grows up to 6 to 9 meters in height. The fruit shape is showy and oblong, length: 6 to 15 centimetres and width: 9 centimeters with thin, waxy, yellow-orange flesh and skin.

Name	Carambola
Scientific Name	Averrhoa Carambola
Native	Malayan peninsula and cultivated in many parts of Southeast Asia, Pacific islands and China for its fruits. Carambola was originated in West Malesia then the fruit has been cultivated in Southeast Asia and Malaysia for centuries. It has naturalized in Northern south America.
Common/English Name	Carambola, Coolie Tamarind (Trinidad), Coromandel Gooseberry, Country Gooseberry, Five Corner (Australian), Five Fingers (Guyana), Starfruit, Star Pickle
Name in Other Languages	Brazil (Camerunga), (Carambola), (Caramboleiro); Portuguese (Limas De Cayena); Burmese (Zaung-Ya); Chinese (Yang-Tao, Ma Fen), (Wu Lian Zi); Costa Rica (Tiriguro); Danish (Karambol); Dominican Republic (Vinagrillo); Dutch (Blimbing), (Carambola), (Damaksche), (Blimbing), (Stervrucht), (Zoeta Vijjhoek); El Salvador (Pepino De La India); Fijian (Kamrakh), (Wi Ni Idia), (Wi Ni Jaina); French (Carambolier), (Carambolier Doux), (Pomier De Goa); French Antilles (Cornichon); French Guiana (Carambol); German (Baumstachelbeere), (Blimbingbaum), (Karambole), (Sternfrucht), (Gestirnte Pflaume); Guam (Bilimbines); Haitian (Zibline); India (Kardoi), (Kordoi), Rohdoi (Assamese), Kamranga (Bengali), Amrenga (Garos, Meghalaya), Kamarakh, Kamaramga, Kamaranga, Kamrak, Karmal, Khamrak (Hindu), Darehuli, Kamarak, Kamaranga, Kirinulli, Daare Huli, Kamaraka Mara, Kamarakshi, Komarakmara, Kamarakshi Mara, Darchuli, Darepuli, Dharehuli, Kamrac, Karmaranga, Kiranelli, Kirinelli, Komaree, Kamaraak Mara, Kamaraakshi, Kamaraakshi Hannu, Kamarakha, Kamraak, Karamaadalu, Kobari Kaayi (Kannada), Dieng Sohtreng (Khasis, Meghalaya), Carambola, Caturappuli, Chaturapuli, Irumpanpuli, Kamarangam, Pulinji, Tamarat-Tuka, Tamaratta, Saturappuli, Catarapuli, Chatarapali, Chaturappuli, Kamaranga, Pulachi, Pulichi, Pulinci, Tamara, Tamaratonga, Thamarathamu (Malayalam), Heinoujom, Seizrak (Manipuri), Kamarakha, Kumrak, Karmare, Karamala, Karmar, Karmal (Marathi), Theiher-Awt, Theiherawt (Mizoram), Koromonga (Oriya), Brihaddala, Dantasatha, Dharaphala, Dharaphalah, Karmar, Karmara, Karmaranga, Karmarangah, Karuka, Karukah, Mudgara, Pitaphala, Pitaphalah, Rujakara, Shiral, Shukapriya (Sanskrit), Kandasagadam, Tamarttam-Kay, Tamarattai, Tamaraththam, Thamaratham, Sagadam, Sigam, Sisam, Tamaratti, Tamarathai, Cakatam, Cakattai, Caturappuli, Ci, Cicakari, Cicam, Cikam, Cukkirakam, Cukkirakamaram, Kacerukam, Kandasagadam, Kantacatakamaram, Kantacatcam, Kantacatkam, Pukamatitam, Pukamatitamaram, Pulipputtamarattai, Putakecam, Putakecaramaram, Tamarakam, Tamarakamaram, Tamarattai, Tamarattaimaram, Tamarattam, Tamarattankay, Tantacatam, Nattuttamarattai (Tamil), Karamonga, Karomonga, Tamaratamu, Tamarta, Tamarta-Kaya, Karamanooga, Thamaratha (Telugu), Kamrakh, Kamarakha (Urdu); (Indonesia) Belimbing Manis, Belimbing, Belimbing Legee, Blimbing Wana (Java), Bhalingbhing Manes (Madurese), Balingbing,Tjalingtjing Amis (Sundanese); Japanese (Gorenshi, Karanbora); Khmer (Spu); Laotian (Nak Fuang); Malaysia (Belimbing Segi), (Belimbing), (Belimbing Manis),(Belimbing Batu), (Belimbing Pessegi), (Belimbing Besi), (Belimbing Sayur), (Caramba Carambola), (Belimbing Saji), (Kambola); Mexico (Carambolera), (Caramboler), (Árbol De Pepino); Pakistan (Kamrak), (Kamranga); Papua New Guinea (Faiv Kona); Philippines , Balimbing (Bikol), (Balingbing) Garahan: (Bisaya), Balimbing Balingbing: (Cebu Bisaya), Daligan: (Iloko), Dalihan: Ibanag Malimbin: Samar Leyte Bisaya Galañgan: Panay Bisaya Balimbing: Sulu Balimbin: Tagalog Sirinate: Tinggian Polish: Karambola Slovašcina: Karambola Spanish: Arbol De Pepino, Carambolera, Carambola, Carambolero, Pepino De La India, Tamarindo Chino, Tamarindo Dulce. Sri Lanka: Kamaranga Surinam: Blimbing Legi, Fransman-Birambi Thailand: Ma Fuang, Khe, Fuang, Sa Bue Tonga: Tapanima Venzuela: Tamarindo Chino, Tamarindo Dulce Vietnames: Khe Ta, Khe
Plant Growth Habit	Short-trunked, deciduous, perennial tree which grows up to 4–9 m high.
Growing Climate	Wet, humid climate with distinct dry season such as tropical and sub-tropical climates
Soil	Fertile, rich, well-drained, loamy soils
Plant Size	4–9 m high
Lifespan	Up to 40 years in a wild
Bark	Smooth and greyish-brown to dark grey
Branchlets	Much-branched, bushy, broad, rounded crown
Leaf	Leaves are arranged spirally, alternate, imparipinnate, 15–20 cm long. Each leaflet is ovate or oblong, subsessile from 2–8.5 cm long, 3–4.5 cm broad with nearly 7 to 11 opposite leaflets.
Edible parts of the plants	Fruit used in salads or as garnish in cocktail drinks and beverages, tropical drinks and smoothies Immature or half-ripe fruit: Used as vegetables for cooking and also prepared into pickles and sweetsSkin, seeds: Used as a garnish in salads and in relishes and preserves
Flowering Season	Throughout the year
Flower	Bell shaped, purple to bright purple with 6 mm wide and 3/8 inch diameter
Fruit shape & size	Ovate to ellipsoid, star shaped, length: 2-1/2 to 5 inches (6 to 13 cm)
Fruit color	Light to dark yellow, smooth with a waxy cuticle
Flesh color	Translucent and light yellow to yellow
Fruit peel	Thin
Flavor/aroma	Combination of plums, pineapples, and lemons
Fruit Taste	Tart and sour to slightly sweet
Seed	Ovoid, 10 to 12 flat light brown seeds about 0.25 to 0.5 (0.64 to 1.27 cm) in width and enclosed in gelatinous aril
Varieties/Types	Two varieties: one sour and slightly sweet
Fruit Season	Peak season is February-July
Major Nutritions	Nutrient Water 98.69 g Energy 33 Kcal Energy 138 kJ Protein 1.12 g (2.24%) Total Fat (lipid) 0.36 g (1.03%) Ash 0.56 g Carbohydrate 7.27 g (5.59%) Total dietary Fiber 3 g (7.89%) Total Sugars 4.3 g Minerals Copper, Cu 0.148 mg (16.44%) Potassium, K 144 mg (3.06%) Magnesium, Mg 11 mg (2.62%) Phosphorus, P 13 mg (1.86%) Manganese, Mn 0.04 mg (1.74%) Zinc, Zn 0.13 mg (1.18%) Iron, Fe 0.09 mg (1.13%) Selenium, Se 0.6 µg (1.09%) Calcium, Ca 3 mg (0.30%) Sodium, Na 2 mg (0.13%) Vitamins Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) 37.2 mg (41.33%) Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) 0.015 mg (1.25%) Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 0.017 mg (1.31%) Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 0.396 mg (2.48%) Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) 0.422 mg (8.44%) Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) 0.018 mg (1.38%) Vitamin B9 (Folate) 13 µg (3.25%) Choline, total 8.2 mg (1.49%) Vitamin A 3 µg (0.43%) Beta Carotene 27 µg Alpha Carotene 26 µg Lutein + zeaxanthin 71 µg Vitamin E 0.16 mg (1.07%) Lipids Total saturated fat 0.021 g (0.03%) palmitic acid 0.012 g stearic acid 0.009 g Total monounsaturated fat 0.032 g oleic acid 0.032 g Total polyunsaturated fat 0.199 g (1.17%) Linoleic acid 0.17 g (1.00%) Linolenic acid 0.029 g (1.81%) Amino Acids Tryptophan 0.009 g (2.05%) Threonine 0.048 g (2.73%) Isoleucine 0.048 g (2.87%) Leucine 0.083 g (2.25%) Lysine 0.083 g (2.48%) Methionine 0.023 g (1.38%) Phenylalanine and Tyrosine 0.088 g (3.03%) Valine 0.054 g (2.56%) Histidine 0.009 g (0.73%) Arginine 0.023 g Alanine 0.077 g Aspartic acid 0.106 g Glutamic acid 0.16 g Glycine 0.054 g Proline 0.054 g Serine 0.09 g
Health Benefits	Antioxidant activity Anti-microbial and antifungal activity Antitumor activity Antiulcer activity Hypotensive activity Hypocholesterolemic activity Nephrotoxic effect Analgesic Hypoglycemic Anthelmintic Hypocholesterolaemic & Hypolipidemic activity
Calories in 1cup (108 gm)	138 Kcal.
Traditional uses	Fruits: The ripe fruits or its juice are used in India as laxative, astringent, appetite stimulant, anti-pyretic, sialogogue, and antiscorbutic. The fruit is used in Brazil as diuretic in kidney and bladder related problems. It is used in China to quench thirst and to increase the saliva secretion. The ripe fruit is used in Ayurveda as digestive, tonic and causes biliousness. The fruits are also useful for treating throat inflammation, toothache, mouth ulcer, hiccups, cough, asthma, food poisoning, indigestion, malarial splenomegaly, colic, diarrhea, jaundice, hemorrhoids, pruritis, skin rashes, eye problems and sunstroke. They are also used for both men and women as aphrodisiac. The fruits can be used to increase lactation in women and if taken in large doses, it acts as an emmenagogue. Leaves: The external application of crushed leaves or shoots helps to treat ringworm, chicken-pox, and headache. A decoction which made from the boiled leaves provides relief from aphthous stomatitis and angina. The leaves are also useful to treat boils, postpartum edema, oliguria and traumatic injury, pyodermas and gastroenteritis. Flowers: The flowers which are boiled are used as vermifuge, to treat fever and malaria. The flowers are used to treat dermatitis in Southeast Asia. Roots: Carambola roots are useful to treat arthralgia, epitaxis, chronic headache and spermatorrhea. The roots if used with sugar forms as an antidote for poison. Seeds: A decoction made from the crushed seeds functions as a galactagogue and emmenagogue. The seeds which are powdered are useful for colic and asthma. Bark: A preparation of the inner bark with sandalwood and Alyxia sp. is useful for treating prickly heat. http://www.rroij.com/open-access/averrhoa-carambola-an-updated-review.pdf
Precautions	The patients of the kidney disease and kidney failure should avoid the star fruit because it possesses oxalic acid. It could interact with prescription medications so, one should consult the pharmacist before consuming starfruit. Symptoms of star fruit intoxication include persistent hiccups, vomiting, nausea, insomnia, agitation, convulsions and mental confusion which occur within one to five hours of eating starfruit.
How to Eat	It makes a great juice, smoothie, or shake. It can be consume pickled or raw. It could be mixed into a tropical fruit salad along with a little honey, lime zest and fresh lime juice. It could be floated in a fresh summer punch. It could be staute with chicken, meat or shrimp. It could be chopped and tossed into chicken salad.
Other Facts	Carambola juice is also used as a stain remover for hands, clothes and weapons. There are many cultivars which produces fruits that differ in size and flavor. Starfruits is not necessary to be peeled or seeded and can be eaten whole. During the night, starfruit fold its leaves in response to the vibration of the tree. Starfruit blooms almost throughout the year.

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