Carambola fruit: how and with what it is eaten, taste and how to choose, contraindications

Quite often people have a question about what carambola fruits look like and what they are eaten with. It is the fruit of an evergreen tree native to South and East Asia. In these regions, the product is considered quite ordinary and familiar. Its originality lies in its unusual taste, which combines notes of cucumber and apple. Also, the fruit has an exotic appearance and is similar in shape to a star.

Description of fruit

The tree is characterized by slow growth and does not exceed 4-5 meters in height. However, sometimes there are also larger specimens that reach 10 meters. At the same time, the culture looks quite voluminous due to the spreading crown, consisting of many small branches.

The leaves are similar in appearance to mountain ash. They have a soft and smooth surface and an attractive appearance. The foliage is dark green above and covered with white fluff below. By evening, the leaves may curl, which is the reaction of the tree to changes in light and temperature. In the daytime, the foliage straightens again. If it looks unnatural, expect bad weather to come.

The fruits are considered the most interesting element of the tree. They are oval in shape and have 5 large ribs. Because the fruit in the context resembles a star. It has a bright yellow color and looks quite dense and juicy.

Botanical formula and classification

Flower formula is a special botanical designation that describes the structure of a flower. For this, numbers and letters are used. Carambola is characterized by the formula Ch5L5T5P. It can be deciphered in more detail:

• – used to denote symmetry planes of the flower;
• letters - denote calyxes, stamens, petals and pistils;
• numbers indicate the amount of a particular element.

So the carambola flower is right. Its structure includes 5 cups, 5 petals, 5 stamens and 1 pistil.

When classifying plants, botanists move from the general to the specific. This culture belongs to the plant kingdom. It is included in the department of Angiosperms and the class Dicotyledons. Carambola belongs to the Kislichny family and the Averroa genus. The plant is a member of the Carambola species.

Chemical composition

This culture is characterized by a high content of valuable elements. The most significant components include the following:

1. Ascorbic acid - helps to strengthen the immune system and helps to mobilize the body's defenses.
2. Thiamin - helps to improve the functions of the nervous system and stimulate the digestive organs.
3. Riboflavin - normalizes the functioning of the thyroid gland. It improves the appearance of hair and skin. Also, this substance has a positive effect on the composition of the blood.
4. Pantothenic acid - activates the synthesis of adrenal hormones. With its help, it is possible to normalize the level of hemoglobin and cholesterol. This component successfully prevents allergies, heart disease and colitis.
5. Fiber.
6. Phosphorus, sodium, potassium, iron, calcium.

Growth area

Carambola grows naturally in India and Indonesia. There is also one in Sri Lanka. Trees are also grown in South America. It is a tropical crop that needs warmth, high humidity and sufficient sunlight.

Features and properties

Carambola fruits include vitamins B, A, C.They also contain calcium, sodium, potassium, and iron. In addition, fruits contain a lot of fiber. The rich chemical composition makes carambola very beneficial for he alth. The following effects can be obtained by eating the fruits of this plant:

• strengthen the immune system;
• improve the functions of the nervous system, digestive organs, thyroid gland;
• normalize cholesterol and hemoglobin levels;
• prevent cancer, cardiovascular disease and colitis;
• improve the appearance of skin and hair;
• normalize blood composition;
• improve calcium absorption by the body;
• normalize muscle function;
• remove excess uric acid from the body, prevent gout and arthritis;
• saturate the body with folic acid;
• strengthen bones and prevent osteoporosis;
• improve appetite - this is especially true after past illnesses.

When is carambola recommended

Officially, the beneficial properties of carambola have not been studied. At the same time, Asian healers actively use the leaves, flowers and fruits of the plant for medicinal purposes. This fruit is used to eliminate the following pathologies:

• diarrhea;
• headaches;
• hemorrhoids;
• dizziness;
• hangover;
• arterial hypertension;
• chickenpox;
• gallbladder disease;
• dermatological pathologies.

Different parts of carambola are used to prepare antiparasitic, diuretic and antiemetic drugs. Also, this plant is used to obtain antidotes that help to cope with serious poisoning.

Contraindications

Carambola contains a lot of oxalic acid. Therefore, such fruits should be limited to people with pathologies of the digestive organs. These include the following:

• peptic ulcer;
• enterocolitis;
• gastritis;
• complex kidney disease.

Certainly, one piece of fruit won't do much harm. However, with relapses of such pathologies, it is better to exclude the star apple from your diet altogether. Sometimes there is a risk of carom intoxication. In this case, a person has sleep disturbances, hiccups, vomiting, numbness. There may also be weakness in the muscles. Signs appear 0.5-14 hours after consuming the product.

Application

Carambola is considered a popular product that is used in various areas of human life.

In medicine

Inhabitants of countries where carambola grows use the fruit to strengthen the immune system, remove excess fluid from the body, reduce pressure and quench thirst. The fruit is useful for women during lactation, as it has a positive effect on milk production. Also, the product is considered an indispensable tool for the appearance of chickenpox, ringworm and fever.

Cooking

In South Asia, the fruit is often used in cooking. It helps to add savory notes to salads. Carambola is also often used to decorate dishes. It is consumed fresh and canned. In addition, jelly, mashed potatoes, juices, puddings are prepared from fruits.

In cosmetology

When used internally, carambola benefits the skin as it cleanses the body of free radicals and excess fluid. With the help of this fruit, you can increase the elasticity of the dermis and slow down the aging process.The product is also used to make butter. It is added to creams, shampoos, shower gels.

How to choose the right fruit

Green carambola fruits are distinguished by clearly divided ribs. Sweet ripe fruits have fleshy ribs endowed with a dark brown stripe. She says that the carambola is fully ripe on the branch. Moderately ripe fruits include some acid, which gives the taste savory notes and freshness. At the same time, the aroma of the fruit remotely resembles jasmine flowers.

When grown on an industrial scale, carambola is usually harvested when unripe. This makes it possible to transport fruit over long distances without loss of consumer characteristics. Unripe fruits have a light green or yellowish color. They can be stored for up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator. Green fruit can ripen at room temperature. However, its taste will not be as high as that of a ripe fruit plucked from a tree.

Expert opinionZarechny Maxim ValerievichAgronomist with 12 years of experience. Our best gardening expert.Ask a QuestionWhen buying carambola in Russia, the buyer does not have a special choice. That's why you have to eat unripe fruits. When traveling to Thailand, you can fully enjoy the excellent taste of carambola. It is important to find fruits that have a dark brown stripe on the ribs.

How to eat carambola

This fruit is used to decorate cocktails, desserts and salads. Asians use the fruits to prepare various dishes:

• carambola juice is included in many cocktails and emphasizes their exquisite taste;
• unripe fruits are often used as vegetables - they are s alted, stewed and pickled;
• fresh fruits are eaten raw or used to make desserts;
• sweet fruits are used to make marmalade, jam, jelly;
• in Chinese cuisine, plates of tropical fruits are used to prepare meat and fish dishes;
• Crushed carambola is used as an ingredient in sauces.

Ripe fruits can be consumed with the skin. First, the fruit must be washed in running water and dirt removed from the depressions. After that, it must be cut into plates 0.5-1.5 centimeters in size.

Growing Instructions

You can grow culture at home. To do this, you need to extract the seeds from the fruit and place them in a moist loose substrate. The best option would be soil for palm trees. In this case, the following features should be taken into account:

1. Seeds should be planted in February.
2. It is recommended to deepen the grain by a maximum of 1.5 centimeters.
3. After immersing the seeds in the soil, cover the container with glass or film.
4. Thin out the crown and prune vertical branches every year in May.
5. Up to 5 years, transplant the tree into a larger pot every year.
6. In summer, in the heat, water the plant every day and spray its crown. In winter, this should be done twice a week.

Carambola is a tasty and he althy fruit that contains a large number of valuable elements. To enjoy the product, it is important to learn how to choose it correctly and follow the rules of use.

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