Carambola is a glossy, yellow translucent fruit. Crambola is oval in shape with 5 wings (lateral ridges) on the outside. When slicked, the segmented pieces look like a star and hence carambola is also called as starfruit.
Carambola has a yellow colored waxy skin, which is very crispy and juicy in texture. Whole carambola can be eaten along with the skin and the flavor profile of a carambola is honey sweet mixed with a little bit of tartness.
carambola with narrow ridges has more tartness and carambola with broad ridges has more sweetness.
Average length of carambola / startfruit ranges from 4-6 inches (10-15 cm). Average weight of carambola / starfruit is about90 grams ( 0.2 pounds or 3.1 ounces).
Scientific name of Carambola / Starfruit
Averrhoa Carambola
Other names of Carambola / Starfruit
- Starfruit
Calories by source in Carambola / Starfruit
- Calories by carbohydrate in Carambola / Starfruit = 79%
- Calories by fat in Carambola / Starfruit = 9%
- Calories by protein in Carambola / Starfruit = 11%
Fats and Fatty Acid profile of Carambola / Starfruit
- Polyunsaturated fat (PUFA) in Carambola / Starfruit = 79%
- Saturated fat (SFA) in Carambola / Starfruit = 8%
- Monounsaturated fat (MUFA) in Carambola / Starfruit = 13%
Nutrition facts of Carambola / Starfruit
*Serving size = 100 grams = 3.55 Ounces = 1/2 cup
*DV= % Daily Value (%DV indicates how much nutrients contribute to a person’s daily diet from a serving of a food. DV assists you in determining whether or not a serving of food is high or low in a particular nutrient.)
| Nutrient | Amount | Unit | DV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 31 | KCAL | |
| Fat | 0.33 | GRAM | 0% |
| Protein | 1.04 | GRAM | 2% |
| Carbohydrate | 6.73 | GRAM | 2% |
Detailed vitamin profile of Carambola / Starfruit, vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin D, Folate, Niacin, Thiamin, and Riboflavin is shown in the chart.
Detailed mineral profile of Carambola / Starfruit, Sodium(Na), Calcium(Ca), Copper(Cu), Iron(Fe), Magnesium(Mg), Selenium(Se), Phosphorus(P), Potassium(K) and Zinc(Zn) is shown the chart.
Check freshness in Carambola / Starfruit
- Unripe carambola / starfruit are dark green in color
- Ripe carambola will be yellow with a greenish under tone to it ( Color can also range to golden depending on the ripening stage)
- Slight spotting or thin gray lines at the ridges of carambola fruit is okay to consume
- Fresh ripe carabola is firm to the touch and crunchy in texture
- Select a carambola fruit which has no green color at the top of the ridges
- Fresh carambola has shiny / waxy skin texture. As the fruit ages the shine reduces
Availability of Carambola / Starfruit
- The Seasons of carambola / starfruit depends on the geographical location where it is being cultivated
- Malaysia – Carambola season ranges from April – June and October – December
- India – Carambola season ranges from September – October and December – January
- USA – Carambola season ranges from August – September and December – February
- Canada – Carambola season ranges from January – February and September – October
- Australia – Carambola season ranges from February – August
How to store Carambola / Starfruit
- Unripe carambola / starfruit can be stored over the counter till it changes color and ripens
- Ripe carambola fruit can be stored at room temperature for 2-3 days
- Ripe carambola can be stored in refrigerator for a week in a plastic bag (crisper drawer for vegetable is recommended)
- It is not advisable to store the whole carambola fruit in freezer
- Flash freeze the slices of carambola on a tray. After freezing, transfer the slices in a freezer bag or container to store it int he freezer.
- Frozen carambola slices can be stored in freezer for 3-4 months
Complete nutrition facts of Carambola / Starfruit
Click on the link HERE to download high quality, high resolution and print ready PDF version of the Carambola / Starfruit nutrition chart/infographic.
