Herb. No. 226 · Oxalidaceae
Malesian origin; a tropical yard fruit from Florida to Brazil to Malaysia.
Native · Southeast Asia
Native Also grown
LegalCautionplant
Starfruit
Averrhoa carambola
A five-pointed oxalis fruit — pretty in a salad, and a documented problem if the kidneys are already in trouble.
Starfruit is a Southeast Asian oxalis-family fruit. Traditional use is as ripe acid fruit. Culinary amounts in a healthy adult are the path. People with significant kidney disease can have serious reactions to caramboxin and the oxalate load — this is not a ‘maybe.’ If kidneys are not well, pick another plate. Ripe yellow fruit is sweeter than green.
Flavor
Green-apple, oxalis sour, a little floral. Ripe yellow is milder. Green is a pickle.
Parts used
Ripe fruit
Helpful
- Slices into stars without trying
- A tropical backyard tree
Cautions
- Kidney disease is a hard stop
- Oxalate
- Bland grocery fruit picked early