Star Fruit

Star fruit, or carambola, is the fruit of Averrhoa carambola, a tree native to tropical Southeast Asia and now grown across the tropics. Sliced crosswise, the ridged, waxy yellow-green fruit forms a distinctive five-pointed star shape, prized for garnishing dishes and drinks as much as for eating fresh. Its flavor ranges from tart to sweet depending on ripeness and variety, and the skin is edible; the fruit is high in oxalic acid, which can pose a serious health risk to people with impaired kidney function.