Carambola: benefits and harm to the body

Exotic fruits attract European consumers with their appearance, taste and unforgettable aromas. One of the brightest representatives of the fruit kingdom of southeastern Asian countries is carambola. The unusual shape of the fruit, rich color and mouth-watering aroma cannot but attract attention. Having tasted Starfruit for the first time, gourmets are delighted with such an unusual combination of taste. But not only is this fruit valuable in its appearance and taste, it contains a number of vitamins, amino acids that are valuable to the body. Useful properties of the "star apple" are used in traditional medicine, cosmetology and cooking.

What is carambola and how does it look

Star fruit - the fruit of a small tree, with a height of 3 to 5 m, growing in countries with tropical and subtropical climates. The plant belongs to the family Oxalidaceae (acidic).

In the wild, an exotic tree grows in parts of Sri Lanka, Malaysia, the Philippines, and India. The cultivation of trees contributed to the acclimatization of the plant, so now it is grown in Australia, Israel, some countries of South America and West Africa. But Malaysia remains the leader in yield and sales. From here, carambola is delivered to Europe and Asia. Starfruit appeared on Russian shelves at the end of the last century. The main suppliers are Israel, Thailand and Brazil.

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

A more common variety supplied to most European countries is an amber-yellow ellipsoid fruit with pronounced ribbed protrusions (5 to 10 cm tall). Its appearance is a bit like an airship. The skin of the carambola is thin and edible. The fruit ripened under natural conditions has a translucent pulp. Its color ranges from lemon to yellow. Inside the "star apple" are brown seeds (up to 10 pcs.). Taste - a complex bouquet combining pineapple, apple and citrus notes. Carambola is very juicy and has a pleasant aroma. All its shades are revealed if the fruit is boiled a little (until soft) in sweet syrup.

Particularly unusual and beautiful is the fruit in the context. The natural five-pointed star serves as an excellent decoration for cold dishes and desserts.

Composition and calorie content

Star fruit is not only distinguished by its spicy unusual taste, but also by a large percentage of vitamins, amino acids, micro and macro elements.

The chemical composition of fresh fruit (per 100 g)

• 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

The composition of carambola contains organic and inorganic compounds. The largest volume is oxalic acid. In the leaves of the plant there is a high content of glutamic acid.

The fruit consists of almost 90% water, therefore, refers to low-calorie foods. Nutritional value - 30 kcal. 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.

Health Benefits of Carambola Fruit

General benefit

The rich chemical composition gives the tropical fruit 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 contribute to the growth of antioxidant activity. Due to this, toxins, toxins are eliminated faster, and the body is cleansed of harmful substances.
3. The insoluble fiber in the fruit slows down the absorption of carbohydrates, thereby facilitating intestinal function and reducing the risk of an increase in blood sugar. Fibers in conjunction with vitamins A, B improve the functioning of the circulatory system, prevent the appearance of plaques on the walls of blood vessels, reduce cholesterol. A greater effect is achieved if carambola juice is used to make a smoothie.
4. The use of star fruit on the nervous system has a beneficial effect. Thanks to thiamine, nervous tension is relieved, especially in people prone to bouts of irritability and subject to frequent stresses.
5. Riboflavin has a positive effect on the structure of nails and hair.
6. Vitamin B5 has a preventive and analgesic effect in colitis, arthritis, and arthrosis.

The use of carambola has a positive result on the body, regardless of the gender of the person and age category.

For women

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

Indian women use carambola decoction as a means of stopping bleeding. This drink helps with heavy menstrual flow, contributing to their normalization and eliminating pain.

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

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

For men

Scientists have conducted quite a few studies, as a result of which the positive properties of stellar tropical fruit for male health have been identified. Several lobules of the fetus can eliminate the effects of toxic poisoning. Carambola juice is an excellent remedy for relieving a hangover syndrome.

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

The fruit contains virtually no sugar, so it is recommended to eat it for men suffering from diabetes.

During pregnancy

Exotic fetus contributes to the replenishment of the vitamin stock of a pregnant woman, providing a strengthening effect on the body of the future mother and intrauterine development of the baby. A rather large percentage of thiamine in combination with the vitamin complex reduces the tearfulness, irritability, and nervousness inherent in pregnant women. Ascorbic acid increases the protective functions of the body, creating a barrier to colds and viral diseases. Expectant mothers often lack folic acid, and the fetus is an excellent natural source of this element.

When breastfeeding

After the birth of the baby, if the mother does not have any contraindications, the use of carambola will help the body recover as soon as possible after childbirth, saturating it with vitamins and minerals. Useful substances enter the mother’s milk and into the baby’s body, providing a strengthening, anti-inflammatory effect. Calcium, magnesium, potassium give the bone tissue of the child a strength. Vitamins A, B contribute to the normal development of the visual organs, the cardiovascular system.

Juicy fruit has another important quality for a nursing mother, improves the functioning of the mammary glands, enhancing lactation.

For children

A growing child'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. Exotic star juice helps to absorb calcium faster. In addition, the use of this fruit improves mood, reduces fatigue.

Juicy and fragrant fruit is considered an excellent way to quench your thirst in the hot season. Its antioxidant effect helps to get rid of harmful substances in the children's body, therefore it is recommended to be introduced into the diet of children living in megacities and areas with poor ecology.

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

When losing weight

Although carambola is rarely found on the diet menu, it is quite useful for people seeking to lose weight. The fetus quickly quenches thirst during sports, while preventing the accumulation of fluid in the body.

Diets weaken immunity, star fruit also contains a large amount of vitamin C. It increases resistance to viral and colds. Vitamins B, A, E prevent problems with skin, hair and stratification of the nail plate.

The ability of the fruit to improve digestion does not allow fats to be deposited and speeds up the process of digestibility of food. And the laxative effect of eating fruit normalizes the intestines, facilitating the process of losing weight.

Harm and contraindications

The main threat when eating exotic fruits is food allergies. Carambola is not an exception in this, therefore it is better for allergy sufferers to introduce it into the diet in small doses or refuse at all.

A high content of oxalic acid also has a negative effect on the body, so people with peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, colitis, and renal failure should not abuse this fruit. An increase in acidity in the body with such diseases can trigger seizures and lead to an imbalance in alkaline balance.

Eating more than 3 fruits per day is not recommended for Europeans, whose body is not used to exotic fruits. Exceeding the norm is usually accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea and weakness.

How to choose and store

It is quite difficult for a European buyer to determine the maturity of an exotic fruit. After all, not everyone visited the homeland of carambola, therefore they do not know the distinguishing characteristics of a ripe fruit from a green one. Minimum knowledge of the nuances of choice will help to avoid mistakes and enjoy the amazing taste of a ripe fruit.

The ripened "star apple" has the following characteristics:

1. Smooth peel, without visible dents and tuberosity. Brownish stripes in the ribbed areas are direct evidence that the fruit has ripened on a tree and has not been picked in green.
2. In the hands of carambola is quite elastic, not soft.
3. Color can be pronounced yellow or with a golden hue.
4. The smell of ripe fruit resembles a light aroma of jasmine.
5. The thickness of the ribs indicates meatiness and juiciness: the more the better.

The size of the fetus does not affect the degree of maturity and taste. It depends on the conditions in which the fruit grew.

On the shelves of hypermarkets and Russian markets, most carambola fruits are sold unripe. Given the long delivery period, in order to avoid spoilage of the product, the fruits are torn still green. If the buyer has acquired such a "tropical star", then you can put it to ripen in the sun. After a few days, the fruit will turn bright yellow and ready to eat.

Green fruits of exotic fruits are stored in the refrigerator for up to 20 days, ripe - up to 4. In a cool place can lie no more than 7 days.If the period is increased, the fruit begins to deteriorate: a not very pleasant smell appears, the peel becomes soft, the taste changes.

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

Using fruit in cooking

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

Chinese cooks prefer to add carambola to fish dishes. Quite often, ripened fruits are boiled in syrup and canned.

A fairly simple to prepare, but different in unusual taste, appetizer is prepared in Thailand. It is called PrekKaabkleua - a portion-cut fruit sprinkled with a mixture of sugar, chili pepper and salt.

To prepare spicy Jamaican sauces, local culinary specialists use dried carambola stars, combining them with vinegar, celery, herbs and hot spices. Local residents use not only fruits, but also leaves, flowers of trees. They are especially good for conservation.

Unripe fruits or varieties of green carambola are used for making jam and jelly. But due to the lack of pectin in this fruit, papaya and lime juice are added to the dish.

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

In cooking, star fruit is used not only as one of the ingredients, but also serves as an excellent decoration for salads, ice cream, cocktails.

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

Second courses

Chicken with fruit and vegetable sauce
Structure:

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

Stages of preparation:

1. Cut the fillet into small pieces. You can beat off slightly. Season with salt and season with spices.
2. Fry the chicken fillet in butter until golden brown. Pour the broth into the pan and simmer for 20 minutes.
3. Take out the chicken and wrap each piece of cheese.
4. Grind the garlic and put in a pan with warmed olive oil. Fry a little.
5. Free the tomatoes from the peel, sprinkling the fruits with boiling water. Chop onions, celery, carrots. Put vegetables in a pan with garlic. Stew for 10 minutes and add bay leaf. Leave the vegetable mixture on the stove for another 15–20 minutes.
6. Put chicken on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with a mixture of seasonings and vegetables. Put in the oven for ¼ hours, setting the temperature mode 180 ° C.

Before serving, decorate the dish with greens and carambola stars.

Thai baked fish with carambola
Any marine white fish is suitable for this dish. It is very tasty obtained from flounder or sea language.

Ingredients:

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

Cooking:

1. Boil the rice.
2. Wash the fish fillet, sprinkle with seasoning and salt. Leave to marinate for 20 minutes.
3. Broccoli, cauliflower divided into inflorescences. Cut the carambola. Grate the cheese. Mix everything and add to rice.
4. Pour chicken broth (if not ready, you can use a pressed cube dissolved in boiling water).
5. Put the rice mixture in a deep baking sheet, having previously placed several pieces of butter on the bottom.
6. Place fish on top. Bake at 200 ° C for no more than half an hour.

Garnish the finished dish with dill and pour over lemon juice.

Pork roll with star apple
Dish ingredients:

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

Step-by-step instruction:

1. Make minced meat from meat using a small nozzle.
2. Peel the garlic and ginger and grate. Mix with minced meat. Sprinkle with paprika and salt.
3. Wash the carambola. Dry with a napkin. Cut small pieces from both ends.
4. Place the minced meat between the ribs of the carambola, and then wrap the whole fruit with the minced meat. By giving the product the shape of a sausage stick.
5. On a cling film, spread ½ part of the ham (overlapping each other), cut into thin plates. Put sausage from minced meat on top. Cover with remaining ham. Wrap the resulting product completely with film and drag it several times with a tourniquet.
6. Place the roll in boiling water. Cook for at least 30 minutes. After the cooking period has expired, carefully remove. Remove the tourniquet and film. Put the roll on a greased / olive oil baking sheet or pan and place in the oven. Recommended temperature - 180-200 ° C, time - 25 minutes.

Serve the roll in a cooled form and cut into portioned slices.

Liver appetizer "Officer"
Ingredients:

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

Step-by-step preparation:

1. Bake pancakes: mix milk, sugar, salt, eggs, flour and starch, add 1 tbsp of vegetable oil. Bake in a hot pan.
2. Rinse liver, remove streaks. Cut prepared liver and onion into pieces. Fry for 5-7 minutes in a deep frying pan.
3. Pre-soak rice for 10 minutes. After the desired time has elapsed, send it to the pan with the liver. Put a little raisins to the rest of the ingredients. Stir everything and add chicken stock. Add salt, pepper and a little sugar.
4. Take a deep (preferably) baking dish. Lubricate the bottom and edges with butter and cover with pancakes. They should overlap, it is not advisable to leave gaps. Put the last pancakes so that they hang at the edges.
5. Pour corn and chopped herbs into the prepared mixture of rice and liver. Put the mass in the mold. Top with hanging pancakes.
6. Bake a snack at a temperature of 160–180 ° C for about 20 minutes.

Decorate the cooled dish on top and sides with sprigs of dill and carambola stars.

Salads

Spicy bean cabbage
Components:

• orange;
• almond
• carambola;
• cabbage;
• nectarine;
• soy sauce;
• Sesame oil.

Cooking:

1. Wash all vegetables and fruits. Cut into small square pieces of nectarine, orange.
2. Carambola stars cut in half. Chop cabbage. Chop the nuts.
3. All components are placed in a salad bowl. Season with soy sauce and butter and mix.

Vitamin salad is ready to eat.

Tuna with carambola and avocado
Structure:

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

Cooking method:

1. Boil the eggs. Cut, salt and season with mayonnaise.
2. Remove the fish from the jar and chop with a fork. Mix tuna with pieces of cheese.
3. Peel and cut avocados. Mix with ½ chopped carambola fruit. Pour lemon juice.

Spread the salad in layers: fruits, eggs, tuna. Cut the tomato and the remaining star fruit into slices and decorate the dish.

Dietary Vitamin Salad with Star Apple
Components:

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

Cooking:

1. Put stars on lettuce leaves.
2. Drizzle with vinegar and oil.
3. Sprinkle with finely chopped mint.

Dessert

Tropical thai
Ingredients:

• 1 mango
• 100 g almonds;
• 3 oranges;
• 50 g of sugar;
• 2 fruits of carambola;
• raspberry berries.

Cooking:

1. Sugar pour water and put on the stove.
2. Add pre-peeled orange and mango to the syrup.Boil a little.
3. Cut the carambola into stars and place in a bowl.
4. Pour in chilled syrup, garnish with crushed almonds and raspberries.

Exotic Star Cake
Structure:

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

Cooking:

1. Mix the flour with salt, 100 g of butter, egg and yogurt. Introduce baking soda with vinegar. Knead the dough well. Give it a ball shape, wrap it with cling film and refrigerate for 40 minutes.
2. Melt the remaining butter in a pan. Introduce sugar, honey and fry, stirring occasionally, until the sweet ingredients turn into liquid caramel.
3. Take the baking dish, pour the caramel on the bottom and put the cannon stars.
4. Roll out the dough, place the caramel on top and stick the edges well.

In the oven, the cake should be kept for no more than 30 minutes at a temperature of 200 ° C.

Cake (without baking)
To prepare a delicious cottage cheese dessert with a piquant taste attached to a 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;
• strawberry flavored fruit jelly;
• biscuit cookies of any shape.

Cooking method:

1. Mix cottage cheese with milk and sour cream. Pour sugar and beat until smooth.
2. Pour gelatin with water using the recommendations on the packaging.
3. Pour swollen gelatin into the curd mass. Mix.
4. Coat a detachable baking dish with cling film and pour the mixture there. Garnish with cookies. Refrigerate for 30–40 minutes.
5. Make fruit jelly.
6. Cut the carambola and decorate the cake with stars. Cover with jelly.

Dessert will be ready in 6 hours. Better to do in the evening and refrigerate at night.

"Exotic boat"
Components:

• 1 whole pineapple;
• 5 strawberries;
• 2 kiwi;
• 1 carambola fruit;
• confectionery cream.

Cooking:

1. Remove the pineapple tail and cut it in half. Cut and grind, trying to make not too small pieces.
2. Wash the remaining fruits, dry with a towel and cut.
3. Fold all the ingredients in a pineapple and pour the cream on top.

Dessert can be complemented with grated chocolate.

Alcoholic cocktail Hula –Hula

Structure:

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

Cooking:

1. Two types of rum, freshly squeezed fruit juices and sugar syrup are placed in a shaker.
2. Shake well and pour into glasses. Kiwi slices decorate the edge.

How to eat carambola

Exotic fruit is completely edible. There is no need to peel it. Rinse carambol well before use. Then cut lengthwise into thin strips. The result is slices resembling stars. This form served as one of the names.

If brown stripes are very pronounced on the ribbed part of the carambola or they are quite thick, they can be carefully cut with a knife.

The fruit, which will be used as a decoration for ready meals, cocktails or desserts, it is desirable to clear the seeds.

Interesting Facts

1. The Latin name for the star apple - Averrhoa carambola - comes from the name of the Muslim healer and philosopher Averrhoës, who lived in the XII century.
2. The word "carambola" has Portuguese roots. For the first time so called fruit in 1598.
3. Star fruit juice is used not only in cooking, medicine and cosmetology, but also in everyday life. He copes with stains on clothes.
4. A set of acids contained in fresh fruit promotes the natural whitening of tooth enamel. And for prostheses, freshly squeezed juice is used, placing and keeping them for several hours in a liquid.
5. Fried cannon stars in butter have an unrivaled taste and will satisfy the needs of even the most fastidious gourmet.
6. The first English travelers to taste the fruit called the fruit tree a cucumber or "Crimean gooseberry."
7. In Florida there is a special dwarf tree variety that can be grown at home on the windowsill. The plant bears fruit, if contained in favorable conditions. It does not like a lot of light, but prefers plentiful watering.
8. One of the non-standard ways to use the star apple is to clean the metal from rust. The pulp and juice of the fetus copes with this task quite well.
9. Star fruit has several names. “Balimbing” is the name of carambol in the east. The inhabitants of Ceylon call it “kamaranga”, and the Vietnamese simply “khe ta”. In China, the name of the plant is Yang Tao, and in Laos, Nak Huang.

Photo carambola