Star Fruit
Get to know star fruit — a star-shaped fruit rich in vitamin C. Nutrition facts, health benefits, and tips for picking sweet star fruit.
What Is Starfruit (Belimbing)?
Starfruit (Averrhoa carambola) is a fruit native to Southeast Asia that's easy to recognize from its cross-section, which resembles a star when cut crosswise. Its skin turns bright yellow when ripe, with crisp, juicy flesh that has a refreshing sweet-sour taste. Because of its unique shape, starfruit is often used as a pretty garnish on dishes or drinks.
In Indonesia, starfruit comes in two main types: sweet starfruit (belimbing manis), which is nice to eat on its own, and bilimbi (belimbing wuluh), which is more sour and commonly used as a cooking ingredient in dishes like sayur asam (tamarind vegetable soup) or sambal.
Nutritional Content of Starfruit
Per 100 grams of fresh sweet starfruit:
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| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~31 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | ~6.7 g |
| Fiber | ~2.8 g |
| Vitamin C | ~34.4 mg |
| Potassium | ~133 mg |
Starfruit is a low-calorie fruit with high water content, making it a great choice for a refreshing snack.
Health Benefits
- Low in calories — a good snack option for anyone watching their weight.
- A source of vitamin C — helps support the body's immune system day to day.
- Helps with hydration — its high water content makes starfruit refreshing on hot days.
- Contains fiber — helps keep digestion running smoothly.
How to Eat Starfruit
- Eaten fresh — wash thoroughly, slice thinly to form a star shape, and enjoy right away as a fresh snack.
- Starfruit juice — blended with a little water and sugar or honey for a refreshing sweet-sour drink.
- Mixed into rujak or asinan (fruit salad) — starfruit pieces add freshness to Indonesian mixed-fruit dishes.
- Dish garnish — thin star-shaped slices are often used to decorate drinks or cakes.
How to Choose & Store
- choose starfruit with an evenly bright yellow color and edges (ribs) that are still slightly green for a fresh, sweet taste
- a glossy, slightly waxy skin texture indicates the fruit is still fresh
- avoid fruit with large brown spots, bruises, or wilting at the tips of the ribs
- starfruit that isn't fully ripe yet can be left at room temperature for 1-2 days
- once ripe, store it in the fridge to slow down spoilage
- generally, fresh starfruit lasts about 5-7 days if stored properly in the fridge
- Starfruit contains oxalic acid and a neurotoxin compound called caramboxin, which, in people with impaired kidney function, cannot be removed from the body normally and can build up, leading to serious effects like persistent hiccups, confusion, or even seizures.
- People with kidney disease or those undergoing dialysis should avoid starfruit entirely, both the fruit and its juice, and should consult a doctor before consuming it.
- For people with healthy kidney function, starfruit in reasonable portions is generally still safe to eat.
Practical Tips
- Remove the hard rib tips before slicing so the texture is more pleasant to eat.
- Slice thinly crosswise to get a pretty star shape as a dish garnish.
- Mix with sweeter fruits like pineapple or mango if you want a more balanced juice flavor.
- Check your kidney health history before eating large amounts of starfruit, especially if you haven't tried it before.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should avoid starfruit?
What's the difference between sweet starfruit and bilimbi (belimbing wuluh)?
Is starfruit safe for people with diabetes?
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