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Star Fruit - Tropical Treat That Grows in Florida

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Real Estate Agent with Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch!

Star Fruit - Tropical Treat That Grows in Florida

Starfruit Carambola by Silvia DukesYou may have seen Star Fruit - also known as Carambola - in the produce section of your local market but did you know that the Star Fruit tree can also be grown in Florida?

Granted, I haven't seen too many of these trees, they surely are not as common as our wonderful Florida Citrus but every time I visit my accountant at her home office, I admire a most beautiful specimen tree of Star Fruit that grows in her front yard. 

 Actually, it's quite a famous tree in her area as the local Tropical Fruit and Plant Club regularly checks on it, takes photos, and even shares in the harvest of the many fruit this tree produces every year.

The Star Fruit itself is beautiful to look at.  When ripe, it's a nice yellow, maybe with a slight green tinge or brown edges and has a waxlike skin texture.  When you slice it, it takes on the typical star shape that its name is derived of. 

A native of Southeast Asia, Australia, and South America, the Star Fruit also does well in the more tropical climates of Florida. 

The Star Fruit is quite juicy, low in calories, and has some great health benefits as it is high in vitamin C and antioxidants.  You can eat Star Fruit fresh, cooked, or even juiced.  Try it and enjoy!

Star Fruit - Tropical Treat That Grows in Florida

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Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate

Tropic Shores Realty, 3441 Deltona Blvd, Spring Hill, FL 34606

Phone: 352-584-7441    Email: SilviaDFL@yahoo.com   Website:  www.SilviaDukes.com

 

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Comments(20)

Bruce Hicks
Best Homes Hawaii - Honolulu, HI
Your Best Hawaii Realtor!

Silvia, Aloha, Starfruit is quite common here in Hawaii.  Usually, it's sliced and served with other foods.  Many even make preserves and jams out if it.  Personally, I don't much like it if you eat it by itself.  Served with other items, or baked, it is good.

Jan 28, 2012 02:18 PM
Susan Neal
RE/MAX Gold, Fair Oaks - Fair Oaks, CA
Fair Oaks CA & Sacramento Area Real Estate Broker

Hi Silvia - I haven't seen them in our markets, but I ate them on a trip to Hawaii and loved them!  We have a new big farmers market supposed to open here soon and they claim they'll have more unusual things, so I hope they'll carry them.

Jan 28, 2012 02:30 PM
Deborah Byron Leffler BzyBee Real Estate Lady!
Keller Williams Realty Boise - Nampa, ID

I have seen it but I don't believe that I have tried it before!!!    I didn't realize they grew on a tree....but then I don't know if I had thought about it before!   LOL  Thanks for sharing! 

Jan 28, 2012 02:30 PM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

Silvia - how can you not like it, even the name - Carambola. Funny, there is a Carambola Resort on St. Croix, US Virgin islands, but it does not grow there. The photo is wonderful, very colorful

Jan 28, 2012 02:47 PM
Gary Coles (International Referrals)
Venture Realty International - Las Vegas, NV
Latin America Real Estate

Silvia, I have seen them but never tried them.  I will have to try them the next opportunity that I get.

Jan 28, 2012 03:19 PM
Sherry Chastain
Hendersonville, Nashville, Old Hickory, Lebanon Tennessee - Hendersonville, TN
Realtor, Selling Homes, Lake Properties,Luxury Homes,Short Sales

You forgot to tell us what it taste like. I envy your accessability to fresh fruit. I haven't had an orange in years, much less a star fruit. I stopped buying oranges as they taste like moist paper towels by the time we get them here. 

Jan 28, 2012 04:36 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

I have never tried this star fruit. In fact, I don't think I've ever even seen it Silvia. Bet its pretty good though.

Jan 28, 2012 05:24 PM
Marco Giancola
Beachfront Realty - Miami Beach, FL
Realtor (305)608-1922, Miami Beach Florida

Hello Ms. Silvia-aren't these great?! I wish I had been able to take mine with me when I moved. Next house gotta have one!

Jan 29, 2012 12:30 AM
Toni Weidman
Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL
20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

Star fruit is yummy, Silvia. And so cute to use as a garnish on salad plates.

Jan 29, 2012 03:09 AM
Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor

The last two homes I owned had enormous star fruit trees in the front yard. Unfortunately, in both instances, the new owners replaced them with palm trees. I just don't get that! Fruit trees are so wonderful!

Jan 29, 2012 04:22 AM
Debbie Walsh
SHAHAR Management - Middletown, NY
Hudson Valley NY Real Estate 845.283-3036

I have seen these before but never knew what they were.  Wonder if I would like it?

Jan 29, 2012 05:32 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Silvia, Star fruit is pretty and decorative and your photo looks as if they are begging to be picked!

Jan 29, 2012 05:51 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Silvia,

Star fruit is wonderful, and it is the first time i have seen it on a tree,,,,I love how I learn new things on every person's blog. a

 

Jan 29, 2012 10:32 AM
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Bruce, Aloha!  I think I have to try it baked like you are suggesting!  Appreciate the tips!

Barbara, thanks, it seems to make it into the markets but it's better freshly picked from a tree!

Susan, I think anytime you eat something where the locals know how to prepare and serve it, it has to be good!

Deborah, don't worry, there are a lot of people who don't think about the facts that peanuts grow  under ground!  :-)

Jan 29, 2012 01:52 PM
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Jon, you are so right!  Carambola... it just rolls right of your tongue and sounds quite musical!

Gary, you might like it... it's funny how sometimes it will take a while before we will try a new thing.

Sherry, to me they taste a little like gooseberries... the skin is somewhat waxy but they are very juicy and can be a little tart if they are not quite ripe.  Sorry about not being able to get good oranges, I guess we are spoiled here of course.

Tom, I'm very surprised that you haven't seen this in California!  I bet you'll be seeing it now that you've read about it!

Starfruit by Silvia Dukes

Jan 29, 2012 01:57 PM
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Marco, why not get one now?  You should have no trouble growing it in South Florida!

Toni, tell me about it!  Even if you don't like to eat it, it's one of the best looking fruit there is!

Barbara-Jo, I don't understand it neither except that maybe these trees produced too much fruit that fell and spoiled.. really too bad.

Debra, there really is only one way to find out!  I had some tonight together with fresh strawberries and a little whipped cream.  Delicious!  Try it!  :-)

Jan 29, 2012 02:01 PM
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Wanda, that's exactly what I did!  I got a few of them currently in the fridge waiting to be eaten!

Alexandra, glad I could share this photo with you!  They look like little lanterns all hanging down from the branches!  Here's another view:

Starfruit Tree by Silvia Dukes

Jan 29, 2012 02:05 PM
Tony & Darcy Cannon
Aubrey and Associates Realty - Layton, UT
The C Team

Silvia, Those star fruits have always intrigued me!  It wasn't that long ago that I thought it was just some sort of decoration instead of a fruit! 

Jan 31, 2012 08:37 AM
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Tony, that's a good one and I don't blame you one bit! :-)

Jan 31, 2012 12:36 PM