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Carambola
(Averrhoa carambola) |
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Comes from Indonesia and Malaysia. Has five corners and is described
as star-shaped, and commonly called the Star Fruit.Very crisp and
juicy and a refreshing taste. May be yellow to green, depending
on the variety. Yellow fruit tend to be more acid in flavour, and
the green ones sweeter.
It is a small tree with attractive foliage, produces large quantities
of fruit and is recommended for the home orchard. For those who
like the tart variety, "Star King" is recommended. Most
of the other varieties are sweeter in flavour.
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Soil
Characteristics |
Wide range of soil
types provided drainage is good |
| Climate Requirements |
Warm
humid areas - can grow in most parts of the tropics and subtropics.
Comes from the tropical lowlands of Indonesia and Malaysia |
| Culture |
Young trees need
protection from cold wind. Only light pruning is required. In
fruit fly susceptible areas fruit can be bagged for protection.
Light feeding frequently. |
| Harvesting |
Carambola trees
will flower several times a year, with a heavy crop over summer.
Fruit change colour slightly when they are ready for picking,
but the best check for ripeness is to eat one and see how sweet
the fruit is. |
Length of time
until first crop |
Two
to three years. Grafting is recommended |
| Marketing Notes |
Currrently being sent to markets in southern capital cities. Fruit
is very fragile and needs to bepacked carefully. Often it
is picked too green and the taste suffers. Can be stored in
the fridge and will keep for 1-3 weeks.
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Food Preparation
 Carambolas
can be sliced up into attractive starshapes, which can then be added
as a garnish to fruit salad and fish. It is also a good fruit for
juicing.You do not need to peel the fruit, but you should trim each
rib and remove the darker green edge which is very bitter. Carambola
Fruit Juice
Carambola
Chicken Salad
Carambola
Upside Down Cake Further information
Purdue
University - Centre for New Crops and Plants - Carambola
This site is a chapter from a book written by Julia Morton.
Gives a detailed description of the different varieties, climate,
soil, season, pests and diseases and food uses. You can purchase
this classic book Fruits
of Warm Climates online from Amazon.
Californian
Rare Fruit Growers: Fruit Facts - Carambola
This page describes the plant in detail and how to grow it,
as well as providing a detailed list of the different varieties
available.
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FRUIT AND PLANT LIST |
TOP |
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Cape
Tribulation Bed and Breakfast accommodation on an exotic tropical fruit
orchard in the heart of the Daintree Rainforest
Cape Trib Exotic Fruit Farm, Lot 5 Nicole Drive, Cape Tribulation, Queensland,
4873, Australia
- Tel: 0740 980057 - Fax: 0740 980067
digby@capetrib.com.au.
Last updated
May 7, 2008
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