Star Fruit: A Tropical Fruit with a Stellar Shape and Taste

Introduction to Star Fruit

Star fruit, also known as carambola, is an exotic and delicious fruit that originates from Southeast Asia. Its name comes from its star shape when sliced crosswise to reveal five ridges or edges. Star fruit is a juicy, sweet and sour fruit that offers a unique and refreshing flavor.

Star fruit is becoming more popular worldwide thanks to its nutritional benefits and dynamic taste. Keep reading to learn more about this unique fruit, including how it's identified and priced in grocery stores.

Identifying Star Fruit

Star fruit has a light green to pale yellow color when ripe. Its waxy skin is thin but firm, and the flesh inside is crunchy and juicy. When sliced widthwise, star fruit takes on its signature star shape.

Star fruit is identified in grocery stores using a price lookup number or PLU code. This four or five digit number assists with inventory, pricing, and ringing up produce at checkout. The PLU code for star fruit is:

Star Fruit PLU: 3351

So when purchasing star fruit, the cashier will input the PLU code 3351. This identifies the fruit and links to pricing in their system. Understanding produce PLU codes helps ensure you are charged accurately.

Benefits of Star Fruit

Star fruit offers many nutritional and health benefits. It's high in fiber, vitamin C, antioxidants, and phytochemicals. Some of the top benefits of adding star fruit to your diet include:

Weight Loss

With only 31 calories per 100 grams, star fruit is low in calories and high in dietary fiber. This combination helps increase satiety and reduces calorie intake. Replacing high-calorie snacks with star fruit assists with losing weight.

Heart Health

The fiber and potassium in star fruit supports heart health. Fiber reduces cholesterol levels while potassium relaxes blood vessels. Together, they may help decrease blood pressure and risk of heart disease.

Immune System

Packed with over 50% of your daily vitamin C needs per cup, star fruit is excellent for immune health. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant, protecting your cells from inflammation and damage to keep your immune system strong.

Pricing Considerations

When shopping for star fruit, keep the following pricing factors in mind:

Origin

Most star fruit sold in grocery stores is imported from other countries. Prices may be higher for star fruit shipped long distances or out of season locally. Opt for in-season varieties when possible.

Quality

Select star fruit that feels heavy for its size with bright, even coloring. Avoid fruit with brown spots or blemishes. Higher quality star fruit demands a slightly higher price.

Organic

Organic star fruit is often priced 15-20% higher than conventionally grown varieties. While not always necessary, some shoppers prefer paying more for certified organic.

Storing and Using Star Fruit

Properly storing your star fruit preserves freshness and shelf life. Ripe star fruit can be stored at room temperature for 2-3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. To use, simply rinse under cool water before slicing and enjoying!

The edible skin and flesh of star fruit make it perfect for snacking on fresh. It also shines in fruit salads, salsas, juices, and cocktails. Both the sweet and sour flavors work well in sweet and savory dishes.

Pairings

Star fruit pairs nicely with ingredients like:

• Fish (especially salmon and tuna)
• Pork
• Duck
• Citrus fruits
• Onions
• Chiles
• Coconut
• Mint
• Ginger

Experiment with ingredients that complement or contrast with star fruit's sweet-tart taste.

Conclusion

With its stellar shape and unique taste, star fruit or carambola makes for an excellent addition to any diet. Understanding the star fruit PLU code of 3351 ensures you get accurately priced for this exotic fruit at the grocery store. Enjoy star fruit for its fresh flavor, versatility, and nutritional profile.

FAQs

What does star fruit taste like?

Star fruit has a sweet, tart and slightly sour flavor. It's often described as a cross between an apple, grape and citrus fruit. The tips of the star shape tend to be sweeter, while the middle is more sour.

Can you eat star fruit skin?

Yes, the skin and flesh of star fruit are entirely edible. The skin is thin, waxy and full of nutrients. Enjoy star fruit skin and all for maximum nutrition and fiber.

Is star fruit good for you?

Star fruit is highly nutritious and good for you. It's packed with vitamin C, fiber, antioxidants and phytochemicals. Star fruit benefits heart health, digestion, immunity and more.

How do you cut a star fruit?

Trim off the ends of the star fruit. Then make vertical slices widthwise across the fruit to reveal its signature star pattern inside. Each slice will have 5-6 ridges or points.