Star Fruit Juice

Star Fruit

Have you ever seen a star fruit? It has been given this nickname because of the shape of this fruit when it is cut. It is a tropical fruit that is becoming more and more commonly found in the grocery stores here in America.

Star fruit, also known as carambola, is native to Southeast Asia. It can be and is grown in most tropical areas. It is grown on trees.

The texture of star fruit, both the skin and flesh, is most similar to grapes despite having no relation and being much bigger in size. It is eaten when it turns yellow or orange and is sweetest when allowed to ripen to the point of having brown spots and becoming slightly softer along the spines (while still being mostly firm). 

They can also be eaten while still green when they are still very sour. Usually at this stage, depending on the culture, salt, sugar, or other spices will be added.

The flavor is quite mild but complex, considered similarly to apples or grapes, with a hint of citrus.

Star Fruit Nutrition

As many slightly sour fruits do, star fruit is a great source of vitamin C; it also has lots of fiber.

They are full of antioxidants and important compounds, such as quercetin.

Those who have kidney problems or are on prescription medication should ask their medical provider before eating star fruit. It can have drug interactions, so you cannot be too careful.

Health Benefits of Vitamin C

Vitamin C is essential for the production of several compounds, such as collagen, which is good for keeping your skin elastic and is an essential element of connective tissue, muscles, bones, and other organ tissues. Collagen is also necessary for wound healing, meaning that keeping up your vitamin C intake may speed up healing.

It also helps with iron absorption, making it important for anemic individuals who are trying to increase their iron intake through their diet.

Vitamin C has many other applications it could be great for. Some examples are diabetes, macular degeneration, allergies, and asthma.

The absolutely most popular benefit of vitamin C is for the common cold and flu. Vitamin C works best if you have it on a daily basis so that your immune system stays strong and can fight off colds.

Star Fruit Juice

Did you know that all parts of the fruit are edible? Yes, so that makes it a nice additive for juices and other uses too. Many people add star fruit/ Jamaican jimbilin to their naturally blended juices or blend it as a stand-alone. Today, we will share with you a nice home remedy to blend and get a nice jar of star fruit juice. Here’s what you’ll need:

 Star Fruit Juice Ingredients

• Star fruits
• Orange
• Lime or lemon
• Ginger
• Water
• Coconut water (optional)
• Sweetener

Method:

1. Wash the three star-fruits, ortanique orange, lime or lemon, and ginger.
2. Use a knife to cut the top and bottom (tips) off the star fruits then slice them horizontally, then place them in a clean bowl. Once, your cutting is done, taste one of the slices. This way you can predict whether or not the juice will be sour or sweet. With this codependency, we can utilize which one of our optional ingredients will be used as an enhancer.
3. Cut the freshly washed ½ knob of ginger into the bowl with the sliced star fruits.
4. Now, it’s time to grab your blender! Ensure that it is clean before moving on to the next step.
5. Pour 2 ½ cups of water into the blender. If the taste of the star fruit is slightly tart (sour), then add the ½ cup of coconut water. However, if the taste is sweet then you still can add coconut water for added flavor.
6. Add the bowl of star fruits and cut ginger into the blender.
7. Blend for about a minute then get a clean jar and strainer.

Strain The Juice

1. Strain the juice into the jar, squeeze well, then discard the trash into the bin/trash.
2. Cut an ortanique orange (ortanique oranges are typically sweet, hence why it is used in this recipe over normal oranges, however, if you have an orange and the taste is sweet then you can use that instead of a substitute) into half. Squeeze only one half into the strainer over the jar of juice.
3. If the star fruit tasted sour, then don’t add lime/lemon to it. That will only increase the sourness. But if it was sweet, then squeeze the only ½ of lime or ¼ of a lemon into the juice through a strainer.
4. Stir well then add a sweetener to your preference to the juice and stir again.
5. Taste the juice, and if you realize it needs a bit of a pep up then you can add the enhancers (ortanique orange and lime/lemon) and sweetener in small amounts. Less is better as many would like to say.
6. Either put to cool in the refrigerator then pour it into a clean glass or add some ice cubes to a glass of the juice.
7. Enjoy your nutritious juice!

Side Effects

Caramboxin is a dangerous toxin that is found in star fruit where studies show that it is a type of neurotoxin. Neurotoxins are known to cause neurological disorders through neurotoxicity (damage to the brain, nerve tissues, or the nervous system by toxic natural or manmade chemicals/substances.

Consuming food with neurotoxins is specifically dangerous to people who are suffering from kidney disease. Star fruit should not be combined with medications- therefore, ask your doctor before consuming the fruit. Some symptoms include limb weakness, cognitive/social/behavioral issues, sexual dysfunction, loss of memory, loss of vision, and more.

Patients who are suffering from chronic kidney failure must avoid consuming or drinking juice with star fruit to prevent harsh intoxication episodes. 

The fruit is especially popular in Brazil and there are actually laws there to alert the citizens about the risk.

Other Amazing Drinks

1. Sorrel Drink
2. Mango Juice
3. Ginger Turmeric Shot
4. Irish Moss Drink
5. Homemade V8 Juice

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Star Fruit Juice

Try this delicious Star Fruit Juice to keep you cool today! It is also full of vitamins and antioxidants, making it great to drink all day.

4.82 from 11 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Beverage

Cuisine: Jamaican

Keyword: star fruit juice

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 3 servings

Calories: 50kcal

Equipment

• 1 Nama Juicer

Ingredients

• 3- star fruits
• 1/2 orange ortanique or any sweet variety
• 1/2 lime or 1/4 of a lemon
• 1/2 knob of ginger
• 2 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 cup coconut water optional
• sweetener of choice such as sugar or stevia, to taste

Instructions

• Wash the three star fruits, ortanique orange, lime or lemon and ginger.
• Use a knife to cut the top and bottom (tips) off the star fruits then slice them horizontally, then place them in a clean bowl. Once, your cutting is done, taste one of the slices. This way you can predict whether or not the juice will be sour or sweet. With this codependency, we can utilize which one of our optional ingredients will be used as an enhancer.
• Cut the freshly washed ½ knob of ginger into the bowl with the sliced star fruits.
• Now, it’s time to grab your blender! Ensure that it is clean before moving on to the next step.
• Pour 2 ½ cups of water in to the blender. If the taste of the star fruit is slightly tart (sour), then add the ½ cup of coconut water. However, if the taste is sweet then you still can add the coconut water for added flavour.
• Add the bowl of star fruits and cut ginger into the blender.
• Blend for about a minute, then get a clean jar and strainer.
• Strain the juice into the jar, squeeze well, then discard the trash into the bin/trash.
• Cut an ortanique orange (ortanique oranges are typically sweet, hence why it is used in this recipe over normal oranges; however, if you have an orange and the taste is sweet, then you can use that instead as a substitute) into half. Squeeze only one-half into the strainer over the jar of juice.
• If the star fruit tastes sour, then don’t add lime/lemon to it. That will only increase the sourness. But if it was sweet, then squeeze only ½ of a lime or ¼ of a lemon into the juice through a strainer.
• Stir well then add a sweetener to your preference to the juice and stir again.
• Taste the juice, and if you realize it needs a bit of a pep up then you can add the enhancers (ortanique orange and lime/lemon) and sweetener in small abstemiously amounts. Less is better as many would like to say.
• Either put to cool in the refrigerator then pour it into a clean glass or add some ice cubes to a glass of the juice. Enjoy your nutritious juice!

Nutrition

Calories: 50kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 0.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Sodium: 54mg | Potassium: 277mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 110IU | Vitamin C: 47mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 0.3mg